If you are a first-time dog owner, we are sure you might have hundreds of questions, especially dental-related ones. Does your dog have the same number of teeth as you? How many teeth do pups have? Do dogs lose their teeth, and so on? Well, we have all the answers. So, read on to learn all about dogs’ teeth.
What’s the total number of teeth in a dog’s mouth?
Like human babies, puppies are also born without teeth. Their teeth start to erupt when they are 3-4 weeks old. By 3-5 months of age, the tiny pups will have 28 teeth, also known as milk teeth. However, small or toy breed might take longer to develop puppy and adult teeth.
Dogs also lose their first teeth quickly. Their incisors fall first at around 4 months of age. The canine teeth then falls out at 5-6 months. In case any milk or puppy teeth does not fall, they needs to be extracted by a veterinarian.
Premolars and molars most likely erupt in between 5-8 months. By the end, a dog will have total of 42 adult permanent teeth: 12 incisors for their grasping function, 4 canines for tearing, 16 premolars and 10 molars for chewing purpose. Overall, canines have more teeth than humans which may change as they grow old.
Does a dog’s number of teeth vary by breed?
Most likely no. The number of teeth in adult pooches does not vary by breed. Be it a small or big canine of any breed, typically all of them will have 42 permanent teeth: 22 on the bottom and 20 on top.
It is necessary for the pet owners to pay attention to their pets dental hygiene for their overall quality of life. In case, if the dog’s breath is worsening day by day or has any loose, or wiggly teeth or is losing teeth suddenly, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible to know the underlying cause.
