Nature has an ingenious plan when it comes to primary (or baby) teeth and secondary choppers in cats and dogs. But when there’s a glitch, nature can use our help.

As secondary teeth grow toward the gums, they exert pressure. This causes the roots of overlying primary teeth to dissolve, and the teeth fall out. It all occurs seamlessly when kittens and puppies are about 3 to 6 months old.

But when the tooth buds of secondary teeth are misaligned, primary teeth may be retained. And if secondary teeth erupt anyway, a pet’s mouth is overcrowded. The secondary teeth become malpositioned, causing pain and sometimes early tooth loss. That’s why retained primaries need to be removed.

The effects of retained primaries can happen quickly, so don’t sit on it. You can help prevent snaggleteeth before they develop.