The dog’s teeth

The Dog’s Teeth

Milk Teeth and Teething

A puppy, like a human baby, is born without teeth. Usually, the first baby teeth start to emerge when the puppy is about 3 weeks old. By twelve weeks, most baby teeth have come in. Between 13 and 21 weeks (depending on the breed), the puppy begins to lose its baby teeth. The incisors fall out first, followed by the canines, and finally the molars. Most puppies have a full set of adult teeth by around 7 months of age. An adult dog’s mouth contains 42 teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, and 10 molars.

The Importance of a Healthy Mouth and Dental Checkups at the Vet

Just like humans, dogs can develop plaque and tartar. This is very common in dogs, especially in small breeds. It can lead to gum inflammation. Inflammation of the gums, medically called gingivitis, is painful and can cause problems with eating. A common sign is bad breath.

A severe form of gingivitis can cause bleeding gums. Dogs may also lose teeth or molars. Additionally, bacteria from the gums can enter the bloodstream, which can lead to infections of the heart valves and kidneys. That’s why it’s very important to have your dog’s teeth checked at least once a year and to have any tartar removed by the vet.

Dental Problems

In addition to plaque and tartar, dogs can also suffer from a broken tooth or molar. This can happen simply while playing with something hard, like a stone. If the break—or fracture—exposes the inner layer of the tooth (called the root canal or pulp), it can lead to inflammation and sometimes an abscess. In these cases, the most common treatment is to extract the broken tooth or molar. This prevents the dog from experiencing further pain or infection.

Problems can also arise during the transition from baby teeth to adult teeth. The most common issue is the persistence of baby canine teeth, known as retained canines. If the pressure from the erupting adult teeth is insufficient, a baby tooth may remain in place. Sometimes, we see a dog with both a baby canine and an adult canine tooth at the same time. The risk with retained canines is that it can cause misalignment of the teeth. This significantly increases the risk of tartar buildup. As mentioned earlier, tartar can lead to mouth damage, eating problems, and infections. That’s why it’s very important to monitor the teething process. If the baby canine does not fall out on its own after the adult tooth comes in, it is advised to have the baby tooth extracted.

Dental Care

Brushing your dog’s teeth helps remove plaque. This should be done with a special toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs. Regular cleaning by the owner can help prevent tartar formation. Not all dogs will tolerate it, though. Giving your dog plenty to chew on—such as chew bones or special chew toys—can also help remove plaque, but this is often not enough. Be careful that your dog does not swallow the final piece of a chew. If there is already significant tartar buildup, it can be removed by the vet, usually under anesthesia. A dental procedure includes cleaning the teeth and molars with an ultrasonic device and polishing them. Severely affected teeth may be removed.

At the Shelter

We consider it very important to place animals in the best possible condition with their new owners. That’s why we perform dental treatments when necessary before rehoming our dogs and cats. Since we often receive older animals at the shelter, dental cleanings and extractions are a regular part of our daily routine.