The Teeth of the Dog

The teeth of the dog consist of incisor and canine teeth in the front, premolars along the sides and molars in the back of the mouth.

Dogs are born without teeth. The deciduous or baby teeth of the dog will begin to emerge at three to four weeks of age. The permanent teeth of the dog will begin to appear when he is about four months old. Gradually during a two to three month period, the baby teeth will be cast off and are replaced by the permanent teeth.

The average number of teeth of the dog is 42. Generally, breeds with shorter jaws will have fewer teeth. Sometimes extra teeth will appear causing an overcrowding condition and may need to be extracted.

The teeth of the dog are arranged in the jaw in what is known as the scissor bite. The upper incisor teeth slightly overlap and touch the lower incisor teeth. The scissor bite is the standard for most breeds.

An overshot bite occurs when the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw causing the upper teeth of the dog to overlap excessively. An undershot bite is brought about by the lower jaw being longer that the upper jaw and caused the lower teeth of the dog to overlap. A wry bite arises when one side of the jaw is longer than the other. These undesired bites are usually caused by hereditary reasons. In some cases they are caused by the retention of the baby teeth which impedes the normal growth of the jaw.

As the dog ages, the cutting edges or cusps of the teeth will begin to wear. At two years of age the cusps of the lower incisor teeth will appear to be slightly worn. By the time the dog is age six and older, the cusps of the lower incisor teeth will be worn flat and the canine teeth will be worn and slightly rounded.

The teeth of the dog are susceptible to decay and buildup of plaque and tartar. The gums are prone to gingivitis and periodontal disease. The teeth of the dog should be cleansed daily by brushing with a toothpaste made especially for dogs. Other canine dental products such as water additives and breath sprays may also be used in the care of the teeth. Cleansing the teeth of the dog regularly will promote the general good health and well being of the dog throughout his lifetime.