Regardless of whether you’re a dog owner, you may have wondered about the number of teeth dogs have. We’ve already offered advice on stopping a puppy from biting, but now is time to share noteworthy information about dog teeth.
Let’s go!
How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have?
Dogs have 42 adult (permanent) teeth — 20 on their upper jaw and 22 on their bottom jaw. That includes 12 incisors (six on top and bottom each), four canines (two on top and bottom each), 16 premolars (eight on top and bottom each), and ten molars (four on top and six on bottom).
(American Kennel Club, 2019)
Other Notable Info on Dog Teeth
Now that you’ve seen the answer to our main question, you may also want to know if that’s the case for all dogs, learn about puppy teeth falling out, and so forth. That’s why we prepared the following list of facts.
A puppy’s primary teeth start appearing around three weeks after birth.
(VCA Animal Hospitals, 2020)
They’re typically fully out by six weeks of age. There are 28 primary teeth, also called deciduous, baby, or milk.
Most puppies lose primary teeth at three months of age.
(Veterinary Dental Services, 2021, VCA Animal Hospitals, 2020)
Incisors are usually the first to fall out. Most baby teeth are out at four months, and adult molars start to erupt through the gums. A few months after that, their adult teeth should all be out — they should have all adult teeth by the time they’re six or seven months old.
All adult dogs should have 42 teeth.
(Purina, 2021)
If you notice that your furry best friend has less, it probably means they have broken or lost a tooth. It can happen when they carry hard items in their mouth, such as stones or thicker sticks, and you should definitely contact your vet in this case.
Senior dogs don’t typically lose their teeth.
(Caring For a Senior Dog, 2020)
Losing dog teeth has nothing to do with age but is a sign of dental disease. Once again, you should contact your vet if you notice this.
Dogs can live without any teeth, but you need to be careful when feeding them.
(Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery, 2020)
Dogs can get used to living without any teeth, although it takes some time. However, you’ll need to feed them soft food and maintain their oral hygiene by brushing their gums with quality dog toothpaste.
Dogs can’t regrow lost or damaged teeth.
(Pet Health Network, 2017)
Contrary to popular belief, this is just a myth! While some animals can regrow their teeth, dogs aren’t one of them.
Dogs can develop plaque on their teeth.
(Templestowe Vet, 2017)
This happens because of saliva, bacteria, and food particles in their mouth. So naturally, it needs to be treated to prevent more severe issues. For instance, plaque accumulation on the teeth can lead to gingivitis.
Conclusion
As you can tell, the number of dog teeth is higher compared to humans, and generally, the teething process is quicker. However, what dogs and humans have in common is a need for good dental hygiene. So if you notice any issues with your dog’s teeth, consult your vet as soon as possible!
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