Ever wondered what your dog’s teeth look like? Take a look at our canine dental chart to explore dog teeth anatomy, the different types and what they’re used for.
How many teeth do dogs have?
Typically, an adult dog possesses a total of 42 teeth, with 20 teeth on the upper jaw and 22 on the lower jaw. The majority of dogs have this standard number of teeth. (Refer to our adult dog dental chart above to visualize the arrangement of all 42 teeth).
If your adult dog has fewer than 42 teeth, it could be due to tooth loss or breakage. This often occurs when they carry objects in their mouth that they cannot easily break, such as stones or thick sticks. If you have noticed a broken or missing tooth in your dog, we recommend contacting your veterinarian, who can provide assistance and guidance.
How many canine teeth do puppies have?
Typically, dogs have a consistent number of teeth, but there is a difference in the number of teeth between puppies and adult dogs. When all of their milk teeth have fully developed, puppies generally have a total of 28 teeth. This consists of 14 teeth in their upper jaw and 14 teeth in their lower jaw.
4 types of dog teeth
Similar to humans, dogs possess various types of teeth that serve different functions and aid in food digestion through chewing. Every dog has the following types of teeth in their mouth:
Incisors:
These are the small, sharp teeth located at the front of the mouth. Dogs use their incisors for gripping and pulling.
Canines:
Canines, also known as fangs, are the long and pointed teeth situated on either side of the incisors. They are used for tearing and holding onto objects or prey.
Premolars:
Dogs have premolars behind their canines. These teeth have a flat surface with cusps that help in grinding and crushing food.
Molars:
Molars are the largest and rearmost teeth in a dog's mouth. They have a broader surface with multiple cusps, which aids in grinding and crushing food into smaller pieces.