By the time a dog is an adult, he has a full set of adult teeth that should last for the rest of his life. If your adult dog is losing teeth, you need to consult with your veterinarian to find what is causing the tooth loss.
The Facts
Like humans, dogs have two sets of teeth: milk teeth when they are puppies and permanent teeth when they are adults. Milk teeth typically fall out and are replaced by adult teeth by the time a dog is 1 year old. These adult teeth should remain with a dog from then until the dog dies. If an adult dog is losing teeth, it is a sign that there is an underlying health problem. Tooth loss in adult dogs can be caused by metabolic disorders, disease or trauma to the mouth.
Periodontal Disease
The number one cause of tooth loss in adult dogs is the same as the number one cause of tooth loss in adult humans: periodontal disease. Periodontal disease begins when plaque builds on your dog's teeth and works its way under the gums. Once it is there, the bacteria in plaque secretes toxins that damage the gums and the connective tissues that hold teeth in place. If left untreated, a cycle of inflammation and remission begins, with more damage being done with each period of inflammation until finally your adult dog begins loosing teeth.
Hyperparathyroidism
If your adult dog is losing teeth, the cause could be a metabolic disorder like hyperparathyroidism. This disorder causes hyperactivity in one or more of a dog's parathyroid glands. One of the effects this has on a dog's health is the reduction in calcium from teeth and bones. This can lead to loose, mobile teeth, and if it progresses far enough, it could cause tooth loss in an adult dog.
Trauma
If your dog has suffered some kind of trauma to his mouth, then he could lose some teeth. The most common cause of trauma this severe is something hitting your dog hard in the mouth like a thrown ball or a rock. It could also happen if your dog were hit by a car. The force of impact could fracture a tooth. If the break does not run through the entire tooth, it might not fall out right away. Further trauma to the tooth or eventual wearing away of connective tissue could cause the loss of the tooth at a later date.
Other
Other factors can cause your adult dog to lose teeth. If she has been chewing on something hard like a rock or cement, she could snap a tooth. Your dog could develop a benign oral tumor called an epulis. If this tumor grows too large, it could push the tooth it grows from out of place to the point where it is lost.
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