Dogs rarely smile with their teeth. However, if they do, or even playfully let you see their adorable and tiny teeth, they just really get so irresistibly cute.
But, as fur parents or even as someone who is planning to have a fur baby in the future, do you know how many teeth these canines have?
Well, according to Pet MD puppies are born with 42 permanent teeth and 28 baby teeth. To state the obvious, they have more teeth than both humans and felines. These canines’ teeth are usually incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
The tiny teeth in the forefront of your fur baby are the incisors, and each dog has six on the top and bottom, respectively. Your fur baby usually uses incisors to tear up meat and search for ticks and general cleansing of their body.
On the other hand, canines, also known as fangs, are the long and pointy teeth along the sides of your fur baby’s jaws. They are usually used to rupture the skin or whatever the dog bites on.
For example, have you thought about how much your fur baby can hold on to their toys? Well, they are using their canines to hold onto those. Two canines are on the bottom and the crown of their mouth.
Your dog’s premolars, however, are the ones behind their canines or their fangs. They are sharp-edged which are used for shearing.
Your fur baby eats their treats, bones, or chew toys with their premolars located just at the side of their jaw. They have eight of these on the top of the bottom as well.
Their molars are located in the rear of their muzzle, in the very back of their mouth. These types of teeth are flat surfaced and are usually used for grinding, just like a person’s teeth.
There are two molars on each side and on the top part of your fur baby’s mouth and another three on each side at the bottom totaling to 10.
Lastly, if you ever observe a rather large one located towards the center of their jaw, that tooth is called the carnassial tooth. This helps them rip, smash, and grip anything they are trying to get their mouth onto.
The large tooth is also one of the reasons as to how your dog can chew on so many toys and get a good hold of them.
Now that you know most about how many and the types of teeth your fur baby usually has, it is time to understand what you can do if your dog ever lost a tooth.
How would you know if they lost one in the first place? No worries because we will be giving you tips if ever this situation happens!
What can you do if your dog lost a tooth?
If your dog is still a puppy, it is normal for them to lose all 28 of their baby teeth, so there is nothing to worry about.
At the same time, to be more sure and to prevent further complications and infections, it is usually recommended to go for a dental checkup in case that their teeth do not come out like normal.
As a fur parents, we are sure that you do not want your fur baby to be having problems with their teeth while they are still growing.
On the other hand, if your dog is already an adult and has lost a tooth, this might be a problem.
Just like people, if an adult dog loses their tooth, it is most likely not to grow back, and because of this, a bigger problem may come, such as having the risk of developing a mouth disease.
If your adult fur pet loses a tooth during dogfights or gets their head bumped, you are expected to take them immediately to their local vet as pieces of tooth may still be lodged in their gums.
Do dogs get cavities as well?
Well, dogs don’t get cavities quite compared to humans. It is usually rare, but it does happen when a tiny piece of food is lodged between their teeth.
At the same time, their intake of sugar is another factor to consider as to why they don’t get cavities as much as people do.
Dogs don’t eat sugar in copious amounts as people do. They also have different sets of bacteria in their mouth, and their teeth have different shapes compared to people.
Do dogs get gum disease and mouth cancer?
Yes! Dogs do as well. It is actually pretty simple for you to check this out once in a while. All you need to do is lift your dog’s lips.
Take a look at teeth that are discolored, dirty, or have a brownish-greenish color as these are imminent signs of tooth problems. If your fur baby does have this, contact your local vet as soon as possible.
Also check for your dog’s breath. In general, dogs don’t smell foul, and their smell is usually pleasant and rather neutral.
In addition, dogs can also get mouth cancer. According to a study, about 1 in 4 dogs die because of cancer. Cancerous oral tumors in dogs can spread throughout your pet’s mouth if it goes untreated.
Get your fur baby to their local vet immediately if you have seen any lumps, dark colors, swelling, or unusual-looking colors.
Now that you know what you can do when your dog loses a tooth and other mouth problems they can encounter, what are some ways you can do to ensure your dog’s teeth stay healthy and happy? Here are some tips on how to!
Should you brush your dog’s teeth?
Dogs are known to be very fussy pets, especially when allowing their fur parents to bathe them or clean their teeth. Some vets recommend brushing your dog’s teeth every day; however, once a week should be fine and is more than enough.
Vets are also recommended to start cleaning your dog’s teeth while they are still puppies as they tolerate it better as to when you start doing this when they are already adults.
Do not ever use a human’s toothpaste to brush their teeth, and use a toothbrush that is made specifically for your fur pets.
Apart from toothbrushes and toothpaste, there are also available sprays and gels which can be found online and remove plaque and tartar.
You could also put an additive in their water to prevent plaque and tartar. Letting your fur baby chew on hard biscuits, hard, dry foods, and toys can also be helpful as this helps your dog’s teeth to be strong.
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