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Can a dog live a normal, healthy life after all teeth are removed?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female | spayed | 9 years and 6 months old | 3.6 lbs

Bella has periodontal disease. Try to brush and has had dental cleanings. Had 6 remaining teeth, recently lost one and 2 are loose. I believe the vet is going to extract them all. Can a dog live normal/healthy life without teeth? Is not having teeth going to shorten her lifespan? Also, once teeth are removed, will there still be mouth concerns?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Rebecca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 4th, 2017

Hi. I'm sorry for Bella's mouth troubles. Unfortunately Yorkies tend to be predisposed to dental disease. If Bella's remaining teeth are loose or diseased, they should be extracted by your vet. She will feel so much better! My sister in law adopted a little yorkie that I rescue who needed all of his teeth removed due to periodontal disease once he was first found. He eats like a champ and gained weight after his teeth were extracted because he could finally eat without pain.
Some dogs may reguire canned or soft food after a full mouth extraction but some still prefer their hard kibble (small bites)
Once she is healed from the extractions, usually there is no further oral disease, though her mouth should still be checked at her annual veterinary visits. Good luck to Bella, but I'm sure she'll feel better after her procedure.

5Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Emily, DVM
Veterinarian
Dogs can do very well after having teeth removed. In fact many times there doesn't even need to be a change in their diet. They can still have infections of their gums but usually removing the disease teeth is the most effective treatment.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Juliana, DVM
Veterinarian
Dogs can live full, happy lives with no teeth!! It absolutely will not shorten her lifespan. Once the diseased teeth are removed and she heals there should be no further mouth concerns. Great job taking such great care of bElla!
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Emily Fukuzato, DVM
Veterinarian
Hi. Good questions about Bella's dental health. Having the remaining teeth removed from her mouth will improve her health! Dogs do just fine without any teeth if needed. With all the bad teeth out of there her oral health will improve. No need to worry about not having any teeth shorten her lifespan. If anything it may increase it because you are improving her oral health and therefore improving her overall health.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My 9-year-old dog had teeth extracted. Is this normal for her age?

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