Seeing two canine teeth sitting side by side in your dog’s mouth is common, but it’s not something to ignore. What you’re looking at is a baby (deciduous) canine tooth that hasn’t fallen out even though the permanent canine has already grown in next to it. Veterinarians call these “persistent deciduous teeth,” and they’re one of the most frequent dental issues in dogs, especially small breeds.
Why Your Dog Has Two Canine Teeth
Puppies get their baby canine teeth at around 3 to 4 weeks of age. Those baby teeth are supposed to fall out as the permanent canines push through the gums, which typically happens between 5 and 6 months old. The root of the baby tooth normally dissolves as the adult tooth moves into position, causing the baby tooth to loosen and drop out on its own.
Sometimes that process fails. The root of the baby tooth doesn’t fully dissolve, so it stays firmly anchored in the jaw while the permanent tooth erupts right alongside it. The result is two canine teeth occupying space meant for one. This can happen on one side or both, and it can affect upper canines, lower canines, or all four.
Which Dogs Are Most at Risk
Small and toy breeds are far more likely to retain baby teeth than larger dogs. Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Maltese, Pomeranians, and Shih Tzus are among the most commonly affected. Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds like bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, and boxers also have higher rates. There appears to be a genetic component: if a dog’s parents or siblings had persistent baby teeth, it’s more likely to develop them too.
Larger breeds can retain baby teeth, but it’s much less common. If you have a large-breed puppy with double canines past 7 months of age, it’s still worth having a vet take a look.
How to Tell the Baby Tooth From the Adult
Baby canine teeth are noticeably smaller and thinner than permanent canines. They also tend to appear whiter and almost translucent compared to the slightly off-white or ivory color of adult teeth. The baby tooth is usually positioned slightly in front of or behind the larger permanent tooth. If you look closely, the baby tooth looks like a miniature, sharper version of the adult canine sitting right next to it.
Why Retained Baby Teeth Cause Problems
Double canines aren’t just a cosmetic quirk. When two teeth crowd into the same socket space, food and debris get trapped in the narrow gap between them. That buildup is nearly impossible to clean, even with regular brushing, and it accelerates plaque and tartar formation. This creates a direct path to periodontal disease, which can damage the gums and bone supporting both teeth.
The crowding also forces the permanent canine to erupt at an abnormal angle. Lower canines are especially vulnerable: when a baby tooth blocks the normal eruption path, the adult tooth can angle inward toward the roof of the mouth. This condition, called linguoversion, means the lower canine presses into or punctures the hard palate every time the dog closes its mouth. That’s painful and can lead to chronic sores, difficulty eating, and soft tissue trauma.
Retained baby teeth can also lock the jaw into a misaligned bite. In puppies whose lower jaw is slightly shorter than the upper jaw, persistent baby canines can act like a physical wedge that prevents the lower jaw from growing to its full length, making a mild alignment issue permanent.
When the Baby Tooth Needs to Come Out
The general rule is straightforward: if a permanent tooth is visible and the baby tooth is still in place, the baby tooth should be extracted. Most vets recommend not waiting. For bite-alignment problems, extraction may be recommended as early as 6 to 8 weeks of age and ideally no later than 12 weeks. For uncomplicated cases where the bite looks normal, many vets schedule the extraction during the spay or neuter appointment (typically around 6 months), since the dog will already be under anesthesia.
No amount of chewing on toys or dental chews will reliably dislodge a persistent baby tooth whose root hasn’t resorbed. If the root is still intact, the tooth is anchored in bone and needs professional removal.
What Extraction Involves
Removing a retained baby tooth requires general anesthesia. Your vet will likely take dental X-rays first to see the full length of the baby tooth’s root and confirm the permanent tooth underneath is healthy. The extraction itself is usually quick, but care is needed to avoid damaging the adjacent permanent tooth.
After the procedure, your dog will be groggy for the rest of the day. The extraction site may be sutured closed or packed with medication to help it heal. Most vets prescribe a short course of pain medication for the first few days. Soft food for a week or so is typical while the gum tissue closes over.
Recovery is generally smooth. Puppies bounce back quickly, and once the baby tooth is gone, the permanent canine often shifts into its correct position on its own, especially in younger dogs whose jaw is still developing.
Cost of Baby Tooth Removal
Individual tooth extractions range from about $10 to $500 per tooth depending on complexity. The total bill, including anesthesia, dental X-rays ($150 to $250 per image), and any additional services, typically falls between $500 and $4,000. Costs vary widely based on your location, the number of teeth being removed, and whether the extraction is done alongside another procedure like spaying or neutering. Combining procedures saves on anesthesia costs.
If your vet identifies retained baby teeth during a routine puppy visit, addressing them early is almost always simpler and less expensive than waiting until complications develop. A retained tooth that has already caused periodontal disease or palate damage means a more involved procedure and a higher bill.