How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have?

How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have?

Dental care is a crucial yet frequently ignored aspect of owning a dog. Dental care of dogs, as it is the same for humans, goes beyond aesthetics and can help predict issues thus avoiding more significant and serious health problems. The health hence happiness of your dog could be increased by regular brushing, routine examination of your dog's gums, and professional cleanings. Even though it's such a commonly disregarded aspect of a dog's health, it's crucial to start with the fundamentals of what happens to your dog's mouth. Dogs' dental growth undergoes significant changes from the time they are born until they are completely grown, which brings serious problems. As a matter of fact, by the time they are three years old, around 80% of dogs have dental problems. So, it's essential to be curious about the circumstances in your dog's mouth such as, how many teeth your dog have. How does their dental system grow? What should you anticipate from a four-week-old puppy as opposed to a two-year-old adult? Are there distinct breeds that require different considerations?

Here are some important facts concerning your dog's teeth.

How many teeth do dogs have?

Your dog's age determines how many teeth they have. For instance, puppies only have 28 deciduous (or baby) teeth, whereas adult dogs of all sizes, at full maturity, have at least 42 teeth. This means that mastiffs and Chihuahuas both have 42 teeth although their jaws are very different. The chow, one of the oldest breeds in existence, has an additional pair of molars, which provide them with a total of 44 teeth.

However, not all 42 teeth having dogs are created equal. Anyone who has ever observed a dog's mouth can confirm that, like humans, they have many tooth types for a variety of functions. Their teeth show signs of their omnivorous diet and predatory nature.

What is the number of puppy teeth?

Puppies are born without teeth and they don't emerge with their puppy teeth (officially known as deciduous teeth) until they are 3 to 4 weeks old.

Usually, they will have all 28 of their puppy teeth by the time they are 3 to 5 months old. Incisors, canines, and premolars are some of these.

What is the number of adult dog teeth?

In the case of one the adult ones, the age of permanent teeth sprout is between three and seven months. Compared to a human's typical 32 teeth, adult ones have 42 permanent teeth.

They have 20 teeth in their lower jaw, known as the mandible, and 22 teeth in their upper jaw, known as the maxilla.

How often do dogs need a dental cleaning?

The answer to this question depends on several variables, including your dog's age, breed, and way of life.

1. Age

Simply said, oral decay is caused by time, diet, and eating habits, therefore, older dogs typically require more dental care than younger canines. If they are older than seven years, taking them for annual checks with your doctor is always a great way to make sure that your dog's teeth and gums are in good condition.

2. Size and breed

Smaller dogs and toy breeds might require dental cleanings as early as two years of age, but it's crucial to remember that the majority of them don't require one until they are six or seven years old. Due to the overcrowding caused by their larger teeth compared to their mouths, little dogs require more frequent dental cleanings than larger canines.

Dogs with small faces and noses are more likely to develop dental problems because they are more likely to have misshapen permanent teeth, which provide more areas for tartar to hide, and irregularly shaped tooth roots, thus putting them at risk for endodontic illness.

Although larger dogs are less likely to experience the same dental problems as small dogs, their vigorous chewing habits make them more vulnerable to broken or cracked teeth, which can result in oral pain, an absence of hunger, and agitated behavior.

3. Lifestyle

Your dog's lifestyle and oral hygiene at home will determine how frequently you should have their teeth cleaned. For instance, regular tooth brushing, feeding dry food, or feeding a dental diet to your dog can aid in the time between expert cleanings. Moreover, if your dog doesn't chew and eats primarily soft food, they can need cleanings more regularly.

What are the types of dog teeth?

There are 4 types of dog teeth.

Incisors

The front tooth of them is referred to as an incisor. Six incisors are located on each side of the jaw. They mostly grasp food with their incisors, and these types of a tooth can also be used for eating or grooming.

Canines

The longest front tooth that resembles "fangs" are the canine teeth.

The mouths of dogs include four canines (the upper jaw and the lower jaw both have 2). These teeth have a good amount of development and are somewhat bent for improved object traction.

As with canine teeth, each root is singular.

Premolars

The premolars are located right behind the canines. Eight premolars are located in the upper jaw and eight in the bottom jaw of adult dogs.

Food is sheared through and ground up with these teeth.

The roots that hold the premolar teeth in place in the mouth can range from one to two per tooth.

Molars

The back teeth in a dog's mouth are called molars. They can resemble premolars in appearance.

There are four molars in the top jaw and six in the bottom jaw. To make food easier to swallow and digest, food is ground into little bits using a molar.

The roots that hold them in the dog's mouth might range from three to one.

Why do dogs lose their teeth?

1. Periodontal illnesses

A dog's mouth having an extensive dental disease is the most frequent cause of tooth loss in dogs. If dental hygiene practices like brushing and regular veterinary dental cleanings are not followed, periodontal disease can result in infected gums and deteriorating teeth.

The heart, liver, and kidneys have all been linked to the systemic effects of dental illness. If a dog's oral infections worsen, they may spread to other parts of the body and cause illnesses.

2. Trauma problems

Trauma, whether it's brought on by your dog biting something or suffering another mouth injury, might cause your dog to lose their tooth.

Many of the most frequent objects that can result in fractures or tooth loss are made of hard mineral or bone substances.

It is advised to avoid offering your dog stuff like beef or pork bones as they might be over rough and can cause fractures and tooth injury.

3. Tooth decay

Due to the fact that dogs use their jaws for purposes beyond just eating and drinking, dogs' teeth are practically non-existent and wear and tear at a far faster pace than our own.

They carry, take up, and eat objects using their teeth. Slobbery toys, fur, dirt, and feces, dogs' mouths also frequently pass through a variety of other objects. Their dental health could be negatively impacted by all of this.

Many teeth must be removed by a veterinarian throughout a dog's lifespan since some dogs (particularly Greyhounds and tiny breed dogs) acquire tooth rot at an incredibly fast pace.

Your veterinarian will probably advise having any diseased teeth extracted or removed in addition to a thorough cleaning under general anesthetic to treat the rotting tooth. For animal hospitals, this is a routine everyday process.

Instead of letting a problematic tooth become a cause of discomfort and infection, their mouth is much better at peace when the tooth is properly removed. In case it is necessary, dogs can survive without a tooth.

Keep an eye on your dog's teeth

Dental care for dogs involves much more than just gleaming, white teeth, just as it does for humans. Poor oral health can lead to other health issues and harm your dog's quality of life. Poor dental care can result in oral disease, which can cause discomfort, foul breath, and maybe even tooth loss. But more importantly, there is a connection between oral illness and other medical conditions, such as heart disease.

The general health and life quality of your pet depend greatly on keeping their mouths healthy. Please schedule a visit with a veterinarian right once you observe that your dog is losing teeth, has missing or wobbly teeth, or has breath that gets worse over time. Even while it may appear as if your pet has only recently lost a tooth, it's likely that they still have other painful, unhealthy teeth in their mouth that need to be extracted.

Get a dental checkup with your veterinarian before your pet stops eating. Use the chance to talk about your dog's teeth and general dental health during the annual exam for your pet to catch issues early.