It’s important to look after the dental health of your pup. Along with body and skin maintenance, dental care is also mandatory, so that your dog doesn’t face any complications. Here, we have jotted down a few questions related to your pup’s dental care. How many teeth do dogs have? How you can take care of your pup’s teeth? Different types of teeth?
Keep reading to know more about your furry pal’s teeth. We have also covered related FAQs, which will give you an idea about your dog’s dental care.
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How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have?
Dogs have 42 permanent teeth in their mouth. Allow me to explain in a better way.
Puppies are born without teeth, when they reach around three to four weeks of age their baby teeth start erupting. They will have 28 baby teeth, which include canines, incisors, and premolars. Till puppies reach adulthood, they erupt around 42 permanent teeth in their mouth.
As explained by PetMD, “Their upper jaw, called the maxilla, has 20 teeth, while their lower jaw, called the mandible, has 22 teeth.“
The Types of Dog Teeth
As per American Kennel Club (AKC), “As descendants of wolves, dogs need different types of teeth for different functions,” says Dr White.“
Let’s dig in more to find the details of the different types of teeth dogs have and exactly their specific usage.
1. Incisors
Incisors are the front teeth which are used for biting, nipping, grooming, and scrapping off the meat from the bone. It is considered one of the important teeth, and adult dogs have 12 incisors teeth, six on the top and six on the bottom.
2. Canines
Canines are situated right after the incisors, and they are long-pointed. Which is mainly used for shredding, and tearing meat. Plus, it is also used for locking the food, and then chewing it for a longer time like a chew toy or a bone. Dogs have four permanent canines, two on the top and two on the bottom.
3. Pre Molars
Premolars are situated right after the canines, they have sharp edges, and are flat in shape. Mainly used for chewing food on the side, and shearing. It is situated 8 on top and 8 on the bottom.
4. Molars
Molars are used to chew, crush, and grind food. They are large and flat in shape, you will notice 4 molar teeth on top and 6 on the bottom. And it is situated at the back side of the mouth.
Can Dogs Lose Their Adult Teeth?
In puppies[1], it’s very natural to lose their baby teeth. When they reach adulthood, they start losing their milk teeth and erupting permanent ones. On the other hand, if adult dogs lose their teeth and have bad breath issues, then you need to take them to the dental clinic. This is because it mostly causes due to Trauma or Periodontal disease.
While in the survey, we came across an article by PetMD stating, “Periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease, is the most common disease in dogs. According to recent studies, almost 90% of dogs will have developed some form of periodontal disease by 2 years of age.
You can handle the situation wisely by taking him to the vet. So that your fido doesn’t need to suffer more, and encounter further underlying health issues.
How to Take Care of Your Dog’s Teeth?
It’s very important to take care of your pup’s teeth[2]. Otherwise, it will lead to medical problems that can affect your fido’s health. We have jotted down a few tips, which will help to keep your canine’s teeth well maintained, and free from germs/bacteria, and pain.
- Use only dog-specific toothpaste, and keep the habit of brushing his teeth on a daily basis.
- Clean the chew, and back part of the mouth. To keep your dog’s teeth clean, it’s recommended to brush their teeth daily. But how often should you brush a dog teeth for the best dental health?
- You can even give chewable toys to your canine. It will help to clean the chewable part of his mouth, and fewer chances of building up tartar.
- Give him rawhide bones, and a dental chew toy, which will help your dog’s teeth be strong and healthy.
- If his dental issue doesn’t get cured in a short time or by using a home remedy. Then take him to the vet to avoid complications.
These are a few tips, which will help you to take care of your pup’s dental health, and maintain it for a longer period of time.
In addition to using dog-specific toothpaste and dental chews, consider investing in the best ultrasonic dog toothbrush. Ultrasonic toothbrushes use vibration to help break up plaque and tartar while being gentle on your dog’s gums
FAQs
When do puppies get their adult teeth?
Normally, puppies will start losing their baby teeth around 12 weeks of age and start erupting permanent adult teeth. By six months of age, your dog will have permanent teeth, and all his deciduous teeth will be fallen out.
Can dogs survive without teeth?
Yes, dogs can survive without teeth, they can lead to a happy and healthy life without facing any health or dental issues.
Are dogs in pain when they lose teeth?
As per the survey, it has been observed that around six months of age canines lose their baby teeth, and start developing adult teeth. So, in the process of losing baby teeth, your dog can express the complaint of some pain, and discomfort. It’s normal to experience such pain, don’t get worried, take care of your furry pal your love and care can give some comfort him.
What can I do for my dog’s rotten teeth?
One of the simple ways to get rid of your dog’s rotten teeth is to keep the regular habit of brushing your pup’s teeth. Try to brush your canine’s chewing surface, it will try to reduce the tartar build-up. You can also use chew toys and dental treats to reduce the tartar issue. If home remedies don’t give positive results, then it’s better to consult the vet.
Can dogs have toothpaste?
Yes, you can use toothpaste to clean your dog’s teeth, but make sure it should be specific dog toothpaste. The enzymatic toothpaste includes enzymes, which help to reduce the bacteria, improve the gum issue/bad breath, as well as lessen the tartar. Also, keep human toothpaste out of your furry friend’s reach. It is toxic for them and can lead to digestion issues.
How many teeth can a dog lose?
Well, dogs have 28 deciduous teeth, which means baby teeth are small and whiter than permanent teeth. And the deciduous teeth start erupting, when they are three weeks old, around 6 weeks all the deciduous teeth are present. Furthermore, around 12 weeks, all the deciduous start falling down.
Summary
There are 42 permanent teeth in a dog’s mouth, which are categorized into four different types.
Puppies are born without teeth, and when they are three to four weeks old, their baby teeth start erupting. In total, they have 28 deciduous baby teeth.
As per the expert and vet, it has been observed that 90% majority of dogs lose their permanent teeth if diagnosed with a dental issue, trauma, etc.
You can take care of your dog’s teeth by using specific toothpaste, which is used to reduce the tartar build-up in your canine’s mouth.
If your dog won’t let you brush his teeth, be sure to read our guide on how to clean dog teeth without brushing for some helpful alternatives.
References:
- PetMD Editorial. (2022a, August 30). When Do Puppies Lose Their Baby Teeth and Stop Teething? Retrieved October 22, 2022, from PetMD
- Teeth Teething and Chewing in Puppies | VCA Animal Hospital. (n.d.). Vca. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from VCA Hospitals
