Last Updated on December 10, 2021 by Griselda M.
Yorkie owners tend to foresee the dental hygiene of their fluffy friends but, Yorkie teeth problems are real, and you need to act accordingly.
In many small breed dogs, dental problems occur. When caring for your Yorkie, always remember that health plays a huge factor in the dog’s joyfulness. For Yorkies, it’s normal to have bad teeth, their jaws are small, so food can get stuck in between and harm their health.
You need to do a teeth check of your Yorkie regularly. That approach can assure you there is nothing wrong with them. As a Yorkie owner, you need to keep your Yorkie teeth clean. If you are clueless on how to do it, we will cover everything about Yorkie teeth problems.
Table of Contents
Right Development Of Yorkie Teeth
Like all other breeds, Yorkies have two sets of teeth in their life. These come in two cycles. The first cycle consists set of 28-piece deciduous teeth or often referred to as milk teeth. The second one is a set of 42-piece permanent adult teeth.
The number of adult teeth may vary, which is fine as long they don’t form a bad bite. Deciduous teeth grow within the age of 3 to 8 weeks. They grow in a defined order of incisors, canines, and then premolars.
When Yorkies are young, they don’t develop molar teeth. Young Yorkies will lose their milk teeth when the permanent teeth are ready to grow. That is usually around 4 to 8 months. The growth of permanent teeth comes in the same order as milk teeth but with molars as an addition. Growing molar teeth comes when your Yorkie is around 6months.
Do Yorkies Have Bad Teeth?
The quality of your Yorkie teeth is a subjective question. As with all other toy breeds, Yorkies have the problem of having a small jaw. When adult teeth don’t grow the right way, milk teeth will not fall at all. That is a big problem that can cause tooth decay, and food will stick between the milk and adult teeth.
Another problem that can arise from wrong growth is a bad bite. That can change the whole physiognomy of the jaw and cause eating problems.
A common disease for Yorkies is Periodontal Disease. The main cause is crowded teeth or teeth that didn’t fall out naturally. Food and plaque can build up, meaning that eventually, bacteria will develop on the surface of the teeth. As a result, kidney or heart failure may occur.
Read more about Do Yorkies Bite?.
Yorkies Losing Teeth – Cause And Prevention
The process of Yorkie losing teeth is long, and it’s not happening in an instance. You need to regularly check the mouth of your Yorkie and be in touch with the development of health issues, and consider preventive actions. That way, you can prolong the life of your Yorkie.
Retained puppy teeth are one of the causes of tooth loss. When this goes untreated right, the gums can get infected, and loss of teeth can happen. If you spot this, discuss with your veterinarian the need for surgery or ask him for details about the cause.
Usually, the vet will consult you to wait for a brief time and see if they fall out naturally. If that’s not the case, surgery may be necessary to remove the milk teeth and save the adult ones.
Even if the process of teeth growth is perfect, you must do oral inspections regularly. Yorkies have one of the smallest jaws between dogs so food can stick between the teeth. If you spot inflamed gums, bad breath, or tartar forming on your Yorkie, react as fast as you can.
Ways To Keep Your Yorkie Dental Hygiene
There are several ways to maintain the good dental hygiene of your Yorkie. We are going to mention the most convenient ones.
1. Brushing Your Yorkies Teeth
Teeth brushing is fundamental for good oral hygiene. We can brush our teeth, and we can do it regularly. However, dogs don’t. It is crucial for you as an owner to brush the teeth of your Yorkie at least 3-times a week. That way, you can be assured the teeth are clean.
Some kinds of toothpaste and toothbrushes are produced only for dogs. Sometimes your Yorkie will not tolerate the brushing process. So it’s recommended to do it while they are young and get them used to it.
2. Give Dental Yorkie Chews
Another way is to use dental chews. With the help of these chews, your Yorkie will keep its teeth clean and reduce plaque. Usually, dental chews consist of ingredients without allergens or additives.
Dental chews come in many shapes causing gum blood flow to be enhanced. When you treat your dog with one of these chews, supervise them to avoid any issues.
3. Regular Teeth Cleaning At A Professional Veterinarian
If you have issues with keeping your Yorkie calm or, lacking equipment for dental cleaning, consider appointing a professional veterinarian. Oral cleaning done by a vet is precise and will save you a lot of time.
Veterinarians have the tools to clean under the gums and do a detailed check of the teeth. Consider getting your Yorkie to dental checkups every 6months.
4. Toys That Are Easy To Gnaw
Is there a better way to keep your Yorkie healthy and happy at the same time? Toys that are easy to gnaw will bring health benefits to your Yorkie. You can keep a Yorkie occupied for hours like this and even save other objects which are valuable to you without worrying about them getting gnawed.
5. Yorkie Dental Sprays
Lastly, dental sprays are the way to go if you spot bad breath in your Yorkie. The majority of these sprays don’t require brushing. Sometimes your Yorkie could misbehave and won’t tolerate the direct implication of the spray. In that case, apply it to your Yorkie toys.
That way, you will have a Yorkie with a fresh breath with minimal effort.
Conclusion About Yorkie Teeth Problems
There are a lot of issues with people having their Yorkie teeth pulled. Oral and dental problems are common in Yorkies. Always keep an eye on the teeth condition and take precautions to avoid considerable health problems of your Yorkie.
If you have any other questions that we didn’t answer, feel free to ask in the comment section. Remember, always act accordingly and in time to ensure your Yorkie doesn’t experience more extensive health problems.
Learn more about How Much Is A Miniature Yorkie?