This adorable Golden Retriever Puppy is very proud to show off his baby teeth.
Hi there, human! If you’ve noticed that your pup has lost some teeth, you may be wondering whether or not your dog’s tooth will grow back.
Us dogs are magnificent creatures, and you humans can’t seem to get enough of us! I can’t blame you for being fascinated, dogs are pretty great. But I can tell that you also don’t fully understand us dogs sometimes, especially when it comes to our teeth.
Well, I’ll let you know everything you need to know today! You’ll learn the answer to “do dogs teeth grow back,” as well as the answer to any other questions you might have about our teeth, including anything you’re wondering about a puppy tooth, an adult tooth, or a canine tooth.
Let’s jump right in!
How many teeth do dogs have?
You might think that us dogs have a lot more teeth than you humans, and you would be thinking right. Most adult dogs have about a third more teeth than their human owners.
Us dogs have 42 permanent teeth compared to your 32 human teeth, on average. For the youngsters, puppies have 28 teeth. As for a baby tooth, while human babies will have 20 baby teeth. Now you see why we love chewing!
Do dogs have puppy teeth?
Of course! Just like humans, puppies have puppy teeth that are meant to fall out and be replaced by adult teeth. Puppy teeth start falling out at around the age of 12-16 weeks old, and our adult teeth will usually come in by the time we’re six months old.
Can you tell a dog’s age by their teeth?
This question is not as easy as yes or no. You can sometimes tell our age by looking at our teeth, especially when we’re young.
When we’re puppies, you can get an idea of how old we are based on which tooth – such as a premolar – we’ve grown in. For example, our puppy incisors usually erupt between the ages of four-to-six weeks old, and our adult incisors are in place by the time we’re 12-16 weeks old.
Our puppy canines emerge at three-to-five weeks, while our adult canines come out by 12-16 weeks. If you see adult molars in a dog, they are probably four-to-six months old. For the most part, once we reach six months of age, you will see us flashing a smile consisting of most, if not all, of our permanent teeth.
However, this is where teeth stop being an indication of age. Once an adult tooth is in place by about six months, it’s anyone’s guess. Generally, there isn’t a way to guess our age through our teeth as adults. Some people might use the state of our teeth, like if there’s a lot of wear and tear, to determine our age. But this isn’t accurate! Some of us like to chew a little rougher than others, so our teeth may wear down quicker while we’re still young.
Guessing a dog’s age wrong can lead to serious problems, so please don’t just use our teeth as an indicator of age.
Do dog teeth grow back?
I hear you humans ask do dog’s teeth grow back all the time, and I’m not sure where this idea came from!
In truth, the idea of dog’s teeth growing back is a myth. We aren’t sharks – although that would be cool. We’re actually more like you humans. We can’t grow back adult teeth, no matter the reason they come out of our mouths.
This is why it’s so important to take care of our teeth, because we can’t live without them and they have to last us a lifetime!
Do dogs get cavities?
Unlike you humans, we almost never get cavities. There are several reasons for this:
- We don’t have a lot of sugar in our diet. We have a lot fewer sweet treats to tempt us, so it’s easy to avoid cavities!
- Different bacteria in our mouths.
- The shape of our teeth.
However, on the rare occasion that we do get cavities, they are generally treated the same way your cavities are treated: getting a filling. In even rarer cases, we may need a root canal, capping, or extraction. Trust me, us dogs do not like going to the dentist any more than you do! So, please take care of our teeth so that we don’t have to deal with these procedures.
Which dogs have more teeth problems?
All dogs can be at risk of developing serious dental issues, including gum disease – if their teeth are not taken care of, no matter their size. But different dogs might be more prone to different issues.
Small dogs with short snouts and cramped jaws are often more susceptible to plaque and tartar buildup. This can become a serious problem, leading to different oral diseases and eventual tooth loss. Small dogs also can’t handle chewing on larger toys – they may end up chipping and breaking teeth.
Larger dogs play rough, so they tend to experience more traumatic injuries to teeth and gums such as fractured teeth, broken jaws, and worn tooth surfaces. These injuries can result in the tooth root becoming exposed, leading to severe pain and even the tooth dying. Big dogs can also develop plaque and tartar buildup, so watch out for that as well.
Actually, did you know that us dogs are more likely to develop gum issues than you humans are? And it’s not just because of a lack of brushing. Dogs develop more gum problems because we have high alkaline levels in our mouths, creating an optimal environment for plaque to form.
How can I tell if there’s something wrong with my dog’s teeth?
It won’t always be obvious to you when there’s a problem with our teeth, especially since many dog breeds are known for having a high pain tolerance. Just because we don’t show any physical signs right away, doesn’t mean we aren’t in discomfort. In fact, when we do start showing signs, it probably means that the problem has become advanced.
In order to keep up with our oral health, you have to check our teeth up close. I know it can be scary, with us having 42 teeth and all, but that’s the only way to get an idea of what’s wrong.
You may not be able to spot problems with our teeth immediately, but if we get an infection in our mouth, we actually will start exhibiting certain symptoms.
Some signs to look out for include:
- Whimpering – When the pain gets bad enough, we’ll start to whimper, especially while chewing.
- Can’t pick up food – As dogs, we rely on our teeth to pick up our food. If you notice that your dog is having trouble picking up food, then there is probably something wrong with his teeth.
- Bad breath – This is an obvious sign of something wrong. We all have bad breath sometimes, but if your dog’s breath starts to smell particularly bad, then it’s a sign that his teeth are rotting.
- Bleeding gums – Us dogs get gingivitis, too, which could lead to bleeding. Bleeding might also be a sign of loose teeth or other dental problems forming.
- Blood on the chew toy – For adult dogs, this can also be a sign of gingivitis or more serious tooth problems in your pet’s mouth.
- Tooth discoloration – If your dog’s teeth are yellow or brown, this may be a sign of a bigger issue.
- Broken tooth – A broken tooth can be caused by many things and lead to worse conditions, such as further fractures or infections.
If your dog starts exhibiting any of these symptoms, take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
How do I brush my dog’s teeth?
Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth is the best way to ensure that their mouth remains healthy. But to be honest, we don’t make it an easy task. Our teeth are large, and we have a lot of them, not to mention that we might put up a little fight if you come near our mouth, so it may seem intimidating to have to brush our teeth. But with some patience and maybe the help of a friend, you can get the job done.
Here’s what you’ll need to brush your dog’s teeth:
Once you have your toothbrush and toothpaste ready, start by getting your dog to relax. Your dog might try to bite you at first, but it is important that you stay calm so that he stays calm. Throughout the process, brush as gently as you can. Thankfully, you only have to brush the outside of your dog’s teeth. We can take care of the inside.
And you’re done! Brush our teeth twice a week for best results, and don’t forget to give us a chew toy as a reward.
Understanding Dogs Teeth
I hope I answered all of your questions, and that you now have a better understanding of a dog’s teeth. You now know whether or not a dog’s teeth grow back, and everything else that is important for your best friend’s oral health. Healthy teeth mean a happy dog!
