Dog Teeth: Dental Care, Common Problems and When to See a Vet

Adult dogs have 42 teeth and puppies have 28 baby teeth, which fall out between about 3 and 7 months of age.^1,2 The most common dental problem by far is periodontal (gum) disease, which affects most dogs by age 2 to 3 and often causes pain without obvious signs.^3,4 Daily brushing with dog toothpaste, avoiding very hard chews, and a dental exam at every checkup, with a professional dental cleaning under anesthesia when needed, keep most dogs' mouths healthy.^3,5

How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have?

Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth: 20 on top and 22 on the bottom. Puppies have 28 baby (deciduous) teeth, with no molars.^1,2

The upper fourth premolar, or carnassial tooth, is the largest tooth in the mouth. Its three roots sit just in front of the eye, which is why an infected carnassial can cause swelling under the eye.⁹

Puppy Teething Timeline

Check your puppy's mouth weekly until about 8 months. A baby tooth still in place when the adult tooth beside it has come in is a retained baby tooth. It's most common with the upper canines, in small and flat-faced breeds, and usually needs to be removed promptly to prevent crowding and a bad bite, rather than waiting for spay or neuter surgery.²

What Healthy Teeth and Gums Look Like

Healthy gums are bubble gum or salmon pink, moist and smooth, with no swelling, bleeding or strong odor. Teeth should be white to cream colored, with little yellow-brown tartar. A red line along the gums usually means gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease.^7,10 Pale, white, yellow, gray or blue gums are not a dental problem but can be an emergency; see pale gums.⁷

Common Dental Problems in Dogs

• Periodontal (gum) disease: the most common health problem in pet dogs. Plaque bacteria inflame the gums and slowly destroy the tissue and bone holding the teeth. See periodontal (gum) disease.^10,11
• Broken teeth: 20 to 27 percent of dogs have at least one, often from chewing antlers, bones, hooves or hard toys. Broken teeth that expose the pulp become painful and infected. See tooth abscess.^12,13
• Tooth root abscess: infection at the tip of a root, often showing as swelling under the eye. See tooth abscess.¹⁴
• Retained baby teeth and bite problems (malocclusion): most common in small and flat-faced breeds.²
• Cavities: uncommon in dogs, less than 10 percent of dental problems.¹⁰
• Growths in the mouth: some are harmless, others are oral cancer. Any lump in the mouth needs a vet check.¹⁰

Dental Care at Home

• Brush daily with a soft brush and dog toothpaste. Brushing is the most effective home care, and it has to be daily to work well. See brushing your dog's teeth.^3,4
• Look for the VOHC seal on dental chews, diets, water additives and toothpastes. It means the product reduced plaque or tartar in trials.^15,16
• Skip very hard chews like antlers, bones, hooves, hard nylon and ice. If you can't make a small dent in a chew with your fingernail, it's too hard for your dog's teeth.^17,12
• Check the mouth weekly for tartar, red gums, broken teeth and bad breath.

Tartar that has already hardened can't be brushed off at home. Only a professional cleaning removes it.^4,3

When to See a Vet

• Bad breath that doesn't go away. See bad breath.
• Red, swollen or bleeding gums, or a lot of brown tartar
• A broken, loose or discolored (pink, gray or purple) tooth
• Pawing at the mouth, chewing on one side, dropping food or drooling
• Eating less or avoiding hard food and chew toys
• Swelling of the face, especially under the eye (see your vet the same day)
• A baby tooth still in place after about 6 months

Many dogs with painful mouths keep eating and show no obvious signs, so have your vet check your dog's teeth at every wellness visit, about once or twice a year.^10,3,18

Ask Our Team a Question