When dogs are born they don’t have any teeth, and it’s not until they’re around 3 weeks old that their first milk teeth begin to appear. Puppies have 28 milk teeth, also known as deciduous teeth. They have 14 upper teeth and 14 lower teeth – 4 canine, 12 incisors, and 12 premolars. Dogs don’t have molars in the puppy stage. The first tooth to appear is usually a canine tooth – these are the ones that are often known as “fangs”. The rest of the milk teeth usually appear by the time the puppy is 3 to 5 months old.
Quite often the phrase “retained teeth” is used to describe what is actually persistent teeth. Retained teeth is when the milk tooth is still present but the adult tooth has not erupted when it should have. However, these cases are rare, which is why the term is often confused with persistent teeth.
Although dogs only have 28 milk teeth, they actually have far more adult teeth. Adult dogs have 42 teeth in total – 22 on the bottom and 20 on the top. Adult teeth begin to erupt between 3 and 7 months of age and eventually push out the milk teeth. Dogs have four types of teeth and each serves a unique function when a dog is eating.
All puppies go through a teething period when their milk teeth are erupting and then when their adult teeth push out their milk teeth. This is because their milk teeth are often extremely sharp and this process can be painful for them. During this phase puppies chew on their toys (and things they’re not supposed to) to try to relieve the discomfort that they are feeling. It’s not uncommon for puppies to drool a lot while they are teething. This is perfectly normal as it’s a result of them reacting to the pain in their gums and also because of all the extra chewing they’re doing. However, although chewing helps puppies when they’re teething, it’s important not to let them get into the habit of nipping and biting.
Another problem that can sometimes occur in dogs is persistent teeth. Persistent teeth is when the milk tooth does not fall out even when the adult tooth has begun to erupt. Persistent teeth can lead to overcrowding of teeth, or even cause the adult tooth to grow down into an abnormal position as the milk tooth is still in it’s intended place. If this happens then it can cause dogs to have an abnormal bite which can cause problems when eating. Therefore, persistent teeth should be discussed with a vet as they may need to be removed to prevent further problems. Persistent teeth are most common in smaller breeds such as Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas.
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Since your dog has a mouthful of teeth, it’s extremely important that you pay attention to his dental health, just as you would your own. Regular brushing, along with consistent oral health exams and dental cleanings when your veterinarian deems them necessary, will ensure dental and periodontal health. Make sure to use toothpaste formulated specifically for dogs; human toothpaste often contains ingredients like xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Hard chew toys are also an option when it comes to dental hygiene and a good alternative for canines that do not tolerate brushing. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php Get Your Free AKC download
Molars – These flat, heavy-duty teeth are found in the back of the mouth and are used for grinding and chewing. You’ll find four molars on the top of your dog’s mouth and six on the bottom.
Your dog’s dental health is just as important as your own and should be one of the things you take care of on a daily basis, especially since it’s not something your pup can do for himself. As you think about your best friend’s dental care, have you ever wondered exactly how many teeth dogs have? Just like little kids, puppies start out with temporary teeth that eventually fall out to make way for their adult teeth.
It’s hard to miss the sharp, razor-like teeth in a puppy’s mouth, especially when that puppy is nipping at you. The thought might not have crossed your mind as to why these teeth feel like needles, but if it has, Dr. Barrack points out that puppies need extra help to chew at this stage because their jaws are not as strong as those of adult dogs. The sharp teeth make it easier to chew when they begin eating more solid food and gnaw on treats, toys, and bones.
What are acceptable chew toys, and which ones should be avoided?
Because dogs tend to chew nearly everything, nearly everything has been found to cause problems. This goes for rawhides, pigs ears, or other parts of animals given to dogs to chew (some owners swear by the “bully stick,” which is the dried or cooked amputated penis of a bull), bones, synthetic toys, tennis balls, etc. Some of these objects have caused gastrointestinal blockages or intestinal punctures, which often require surgery and can be life-threatening; others have blocked the throat, causing dogs to asphyxiate.
Notwithstanding these facts, consider that millions of dogs have been chewing millions of objects for years, most without incident. So while the risk does appear to be low, as with most activities, it cannot be eliminated. Watch your puppy when he begins chewing, and talk to your veterinarian about which chew toys are the safest for your puppy. It is important to supervise your puppy even when he is chewing on recommended toys as no toy is 100% safe.
Bear in mind that some objects that are safe from the point of view of ingestion or inhalation, may still not be very good for your dogs teeth. Most veterinary dentists recommend against allowing puppies and older dogs to chew anything hard. That would include objects made of nylon, as well as bones and antlers. Veterinary dentists often sum up this recommendation with, “Dont let your dog chew anything that wont bend.”