Let's start with the basics. Dogs have 42 permanent teeth, which is less than humans who have 32.
Each tooth has a unique name, but it's not like a human name that you'd use in a conversation. Instead, they're named based on their location and function in the mouth.
The incisors are the front teeth, and they're used for biting and cutting. There are four incisors on the top and four on the bottom.
The canines, also known as cuspids, are the pointed teeth located on either side of the incisors. They're used for piercing and tearing food.
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Teeth Eruption and Development
Puppy teeth start emerging on a puppy's 3rd to 4th week of age.
These early teeth are called deciduous teeth and will eventually fall out to make way for adult teeth. Typically, a puppy will have a total of 28 puppy teeth by their 5th month.
Incisors and premolars are the teeth puppies use for grasping, while canine teeth are used for tearing.
Molars are located at the back of a puppy's jaw and are used for grinding food into smaller pieces for faster digestion. Molars can have up to 3 roots per tooth.
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Adult Dog Teeth
Your dog's adult teeth are a vital part of their dental well-being.
Adult dogs have 42 teeth in their mouth, which is a significant increase from the 28 baby teeth they had as puppies.
By the time your dog is 7 months old, their permanent teeth should have started to emerge, replacing their puppy teeth.
Your dog's upper jaw, also known as the maxilla, has 20 teeth, while their lower jaw or mandible has 22 teeth.
The upper jaw has 6 incisors, 2 canine teeth, 6 premolars, and 6 molars, while the lower jaw has 6 incisors, 2 canine teeth, 8 premolars, and 6 molars.
Incisors are the small teeth in the front of your dog's mouth, used for grabbing, grooming, and chewing.
Each type of teeth in your dog's dental anatomy has specific functions, so it's essential to understand how they work together.
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Interesting Facts and Variations
Did you know that a dog's teeth are specially designed for their unique role in their diet and lifestyle? Some dogs have 28 baby teeth, which start erupting when they're around 3-4 weeks old.
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Incisors are the front teeth in a dog's mouth, and they're used for biting and tearing food. In fact, a dog's incisors are designed to be sharp and pointed.
Canines, also known as cuspids, are the pointed teeth located on either side of the incisors. These teeth are used for catching and holding onto prey.
Premolars, also known as bicuspids, are the teeth behind the canines and are used for crushing and tearing food. A dog's premolars are typically triangular in shape.
Molars are the teeth at the back of a dog's mouth and are used for grinding and crushing food. Some dogs have up to 12 molars, which are designed to be flat and broad.
The names of a dog's teeth are often based on their shape and function, rather than their location in the mouth. For example, the canine teeth are called "cuspids" because they have a pointed cusp.
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Sources
- Dog - Teeth, Anatomy, Care (britannica.com)
- Veterinary Centers of America (vcahospitals.com)
- Diagram Of Dog's Teeth, Dog Tooth Anatomy - Safarivet (safarivet.com)
- Interesting facts and variations in canine teeth (pocketdentistry.com)
- dog’s dental anatomy (colostate.edu)
- lose teeth in dogs (akc.org)
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