Loose or lost tooth in a dog or cat
Loss of a temporary tooth in a young pet during tooth eruption can be physiological. But mobility or loss of a permanent tooth in an adult dog or cat is not normal and needs a dental assessment. Age matters: puppies and kittens may shed temporary teeth, while an adult’s permanent tooth should not fall out on its own. Even if the pet keeps eating, that does not rule out dental pain. From the outside you cannot always tell whether the whole root came out — part of the root may remain in the socket. Treatment needs are decided after examination and dental radiography.
Important note for owners
Found a tooth at home? Keep it until consultation and, if possible, photograph where it came out. From the tooth’s appearance alone you cannot always tell whether it came out completely or whether part of the root remains. A photo does not replace an exam. Permanent tooth already erupted but the temporary one stayed? See “Retained temporary teeth”.
Most common possible causes
- —Physiological shedding of temporary teeth. In young dogs and cats, temporary teeth are gradually replaced by permanent ones. To judge whether tooth loss matches the pet’s age, you need to consider age and which tooth is involved.
- —Periodontitis. When the tissues and bone that support the tooth break down, the tooth can become mobile and eventually fall out.
- —Trauma. A tooth may be knocked out or damaged after a blow, fall, fight or heavy load while chewing hard objects.
- —Tooth or root fracture. Sometimes the crown breaks off while part of the root remains inside the bone.
- —TR / tooth resorption in cats. With resorption, tooth tissue gradually breaks down. The visible part of the tooth may disappear or break off, but root condition can be assessed only on dental radiographs.
- —Other local pathological processes. Tooth mobility may also relate to other diseases of oral soft tissues or bone. The cause is determined after examination and diagnostics.
When not to postpone an exam
- ✓A permanent tooth is loose
- ✓A tooth has fallen out in an adult pet
- ✓There is bad breath
- ✓Gums are red or bleeding
- ✓The pet avoids hard food or toys
- ✓The pet eats on one side only
- ✓There is pain when the muzzle is touched
- ✓Tissue, blood or a possible fragment is visible in the socket
- ✓It is unclear whether the tooth was temporary
Urgent help needed
- ✓Active bleeding that will not stop
- ✓Significant muzzle or jaw trauma
- ✓Inability to open or close the mouth normally
- ✓Rapidly increasing swelling
- ✓Difficulty breathing
- ✓A sudden deterioration in general condition
- ✓Loss of consciousness after trauma
What not to do at home
- —Do not try to pull out a mobile tooth yourself
- —Do not rock the tooth
- —Do not try to remove possible root fragments
- —Do not treat the socket with alcohol, peroxide or other harsh agents
- —Do not give human painkillers
- —Do not delay an exam only because the pet keeps eating
- —Do not allow chewing hard bones, antlers or rigid toys until examination
What diagnostics may be needed
- ✓Clinical examination
- ✓Assessment of gums and mobility of neighbouring teeth
- ✓Periodontal charting
- ✓Dental radiography
- ✓Assessment of whether a root remains
- ✓Evaluation of bone tissue
- ✓After trauma — assessment of other teeth and the jaw
Even if the crown is already gone, part of the root or other changes may remain in the bone and are visible only on dental radiographs.
How treatment may proceed
- ✓Observation if this is physiological shedding of a temporary tooth and there are no complications
- ✓Removal of root remnants when indicated
- ✓Treatment of periodontal disease
- ✓Care of the injured area
- ✓Treatment of other affected teeth
- ✓Healing follow-up
Related services
Related clinical case
Severe periodontal disease in an 8-year-old Yorkshire Terrier
View the periodontal disease case →Similar symptoms
Frequently asked questions
No. Mobility of a permanent tooth in an adult pet is not normal and needs a dental assessment with dental radiography.
A preserved appetite does not rule out pain or a root remnant. It is better not to delay an exam, especially if the pet is an adult.
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