How many teeth do dogs have?

Your dog will go through both primary teeth teeth and permanent teeth. Knowing when they come in and how to care for them can help ensure lifelong oral health. Our Brookhaven vets answer the question 'How many teeth do dogs have?' and share some helpful tips about dental care.

How many sets of teeth do dogs have?

Your dog will go through two sets of teeth as they grow. Each set will have a different number of teeth.

How many teeth do puppies have?

Puppies are born toothless, and their puppy teeth do not appear until they are 3 to 4 weeks old. By 3-5 months of age, they should have all 28 puppy teeth, including incisors, canines, and premolars.

How many teeth do adult dogs have?

The age of eruption of adult teeth in dogs is between 3-7 months of age. Adult dogs should have 42 permanent teeth, as compared to humans who have 32 teeth. 

Their upper jaw has 20 teeth, while their lower jaw has 22 teeth. 

What are the different types of teeth that dogs have?

Each type of tooth a dog has—incisor, canine, premolar, and molar—serves its purpose. Here is what each type of tooth does and where these teeth are located in your dog's mouth:

Incisors

What is the most visible part of your dog's smile? The teeth's incisors! These are the small teeth directly in front of the upper and lower jaws. They use them to scrape at meat and groom their coats.

Canines

The canines, or "fangs," are a pair of long, pointed, and extremely sharp teeth located behind the incisors. Canine teeth tear into meat and grip objects. Dogs can also show these teeth if they feel threatened or defensive, which is why understanding dog body language is critical.

Pre-Molars

On either side of a dog's jaw on both the top and bottom are wide pre-molars, or carnassials. A lot of shredding and chewing is done with these teeth, which is why they're relatively sharp. 

Molars

At the very back of a dog's mouth, above and below, are flat molars. He uses these to crunch on hard things, such as treats or kibble.

What causes dogs to lose teeth?

Once your dog's permanent adult teeth are in place, they should not lose any more teeth. If you notice that your dog is losing their adult teeth, you should contact your vet and schedule a dental appointment.

Here are some of the common reasons for tooth lose in adult dogs:

• Periodontal Disease - The most common reason for a dog to lose teeth is because of advanced dental disease in its mouth. Without proper dental care—like brushing and veterinary dental cleanings—periodontal disease can lead to diseased gums and decaying teeth.
• Trauma - Your dog’s teeth can be lost through the process of trauma—whether it’s caused by chewing something or sustaining another injury to their mouth. Some of the most common items that can cause fractures or loss of teeth are made from dense mineral or bone material. To protect your dog’s teeth, it is best to avoid giving your dog things such as beef bones or pork bones, as these materials can be too hard and commonly result in fractures and tooth damage.
• Tooth Decay - Dog teeth decay and wear and tear at a much faster rate than human teeth. They use their teeth to pick up, carry, and chew objects. Furthermore, slobbery toys, hair, dirt, feces, and food all pass through a dog's mouth. All of this can have an impact on their dental health. Some dogs (particularly small breed dogs and Greyhounds) develop tooth decay at an alarming rate, necessitating the extraction of numerous teeth by a veterinarian throughout their lives.

What can you do to help prevent tooth loss in dogs?

Gingivitis and other forms of dental disease will be present in most dogs over the age of 3. This means your dog's teeth need to be brushed regularly to prevent dental disease. Giving your pup dental chews is a good idea, and you'll need to take him to the vet for a thorough cleaning every so often, too.

If you notice your dog is losing teeth, has loose or wiggly teeth, or has progressively worsening breath, please schedule an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible. Even if it appears that your pet has only lost one tooth, they likely have more diseased teeth in their mouth causing discomfort that would benefit from removal. Don't put off seeing your veterinarian until your pet isn't eating. Use your pet's annual exam to discuss your dog's teeth and overall dental health before there is a problem.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.