Your Dog Lost A Tooth? What to Do Next

It’s always a bit of a shock when you’re playing a game of tug or fetch with your dog and you suddenly find a little white “gift” left behind on a chew toy. If your dog just lost a tooth while playing, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of worry and confusion. Is this normal? Do dogs lose teeth easily? Or is this something that needs immediate veterinary attention?

The truth is that a dog losing a tooth can be either perfectly harmless or a sign of a more serious problem and the difference usually comes down to one key factor: your dog’s age.

Below is a review of what you need to know about why dogs lose teeth, what to do next, and when a lost tooth is a red flag that you shouldn’t ignore.

My Dog Lost a Tooth: What to Do Next

First of all, take a breath. Finding a tooth on a chew toy or the floor is more common than many pet parents realize. However, what you should do next depends entirely on whether your dog is a puppy or a fully grown adult.

If you can figure out the reason why your dog lost a tooth, it can help you decide if this is part of normal development or a sign of dental disease.

Your Dog Is a Puppy (Under 7 Months Old)

If your puppy is in the middle of their teething phase, losing teeth is not only normal, but it’s expected. Puppies have 28 deciduous (baby) teeth that naturally fall out to make room for their 42 adult teeth.

Puppies often lose teeth while chewing, playing tug, or gnawing on toys, and many pet parents never even notice because their teeth are swallowed or fall out unnoticed.

What to Do If Your Puppy Loses a Tooth

In most cases, very little intervention is needed. You may notice a small amount of blood on a toy or treat, which is completely normal. The gums typically heal quickly.

Offering a cold chew toy or soft treat can help soothe your puppy’s tender gums during teething. Keep an eye on the area to make sure there isn’t any excessive bleeding or swelling.

Is Veterinary Care Necessary for Puppy Tooth Loss?

Usually, no. However, it’s important to watch for retained baby teeth, which happen when an adult tooth erupts but the baby tooth doesn’t fall out. This can cause crowding, misalignment, and future dental problems. Your vet will typically check for this during routine puppy visits.

Your Dog Is an Adult

If an adult dog loses a tooth while playing with a chew toy or bone, this is not normal and should always be taken seriously. Healthy adult dog teeth are deeply anchored into the jawbone and do not fall out from regular chewing or play.

In most cases, an adult dog losing a tooth is a sign of advanced dental disease. That’s why it’s always important to brush your dog’s teeth or keep an eye on your dog’s dental health.

The Most Common Cause: Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adult dogs. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar, bacteria will spread beneath the gum line, and the structures holding the tooth in place begin to weaken.

In these situations, the toy or bone didn’t actually cause the tooth to fall out as it simply exposed a problem that was already there. By the time a tooth comes loose, there is often significant damage beneath the surface. Another reason it’s important to keep up with dog’s teeth cleaning.

Is It Really a Big Deal If It’s “Just One Tooth”?

It’s tempting to think that because dogs have so many teeth, losing one isn’t a major issue. Unfortunately, ignoring a lost adult tooth can allow pain and infection to progress silently.

The Hidden Risks of Adult Tooth Loss

If your dog’s tooth broke rather than fell out cleanly, the inner pulp and nerves may be exposed. This can be extremely painful, even if your dog continues acting “normal.”

An empty tooth socket can also trap food and bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. Oral bacteria don’t stay confined to the mouth but can also enter the bloodstream and affect organs like the heart and kidneys.

Often, one lost tooth is just the visible part of a much larger problem. Dental X-rays are the only way to see what’s happening below the gum line, where disease frequently spreads unnoticed.

Immediate Steps to Take at Home

Once you notice your dog has lost a tooth, there are a few simple but important steps you can take right away.

Start by gently inspecting the area where the tooth fell out. Look for signs of a clean socket versus a jagged or broken tooth fragment still embedded in the gum.

If there is mild bleeding, applying gentle pressure with a clean, damp cloth can help control or stop the bleeding. Try to avoid probing the area or attempting to clean deep inside the socket.

For the next day or two, switch your dog to soft food or moistened kibble to prevent irritation while the area settles.

If you found the tooth, save it in a small baggie. The condition of the root can provide helpful signs about your dog’s dental health.

When to Schedule a Vet Appointment

If an adult dog loses a tooth, a veterinary visit should be scheduled as soon as possible, even if your dog seems comfortable. Your vet can assess the socket, check for infection, and determine whether additional teeth are at risk.

Early intervention can prevent further tooth loss and reduce the chance of painful complications. Or even can help to stop the periodontal disease to spread.

When to Call the Emergency Vet

While a lost tooth is rarely a middle-of-the-night emergency, you should seek immediate veterinary care if you notice:

• Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding

• Facial swelling, especially under your dog’s eye or along the muzzle

• Persistent pawing at the mouth or signs of significant pain

• Lethargy, fever, or refusal to eat

These symptoms may indicate an infection, something occurring in the root of your dog’s tooth or trauma that needs urgent treatment.

Final Thoughts: Tooth Loss Is a Message, Not Just an Accident

Whether your dog lost a tooth during play or while chewing a favorite toy, it’s important to understand what is going on inside your dog’s mouth. For puppies, it’s a normal milestone. For adult dogs, it’s often a warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored.