TEETH

Puppy Tooth

When a puppy is first born it does not have any teeth. As its first teeth start coming in they start biting at their mother’s nipples, and this is when they are ready to get weaned. The growth of a puppy’s temporary teeth (baby teeth) starts at around four weeks of age. The baby teeth do not have roots. The incisive teeth grow at four weeks of age, the incisive extreme teeth grow at the fifth to sixth week of age, their canine teeth grow in between the third and fifth week of age, and their molars start to show up in between the fifth and sixth week of age. Their real adult teeth come in starting from the third or fourth month. The incisive teeth come in at the third to fifth month, the incisive extreme teeth come in at the fifth month, the canine teeth come in between the fifth and sixth month, the premolars between the third, fourth, fifth and sixth month, etc.

Clean teeth, healthy dog

Puppy Teeth

Just like humans, puppies are born without any teeth. A dog’s 28 baby teeth start to erupt during the first few weeks of life. Then, between four and six months, the baby teeth fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. Most dogs have 42 teeth! Humans only have 32 adult teeth.

Teething is often a painful experience for puppies, causing them to chew on anything they can get. Your veterinarian can dispense gum soothing pet gels and chewable treats that can be frozen to sooth aching gums.

Early dental work prevents future problems

Young puppies as well as adult dogs can have dental problems. Certain breeds can be affected with malocclusions, which are inherited abnormal biting patterns. Sometimes lower teeth can impinge on the roof of the mouth or other teeth can impale gum tissue. Some puppies’ adult teeth don’t erupt normally. Sometimes baby teeth are still present in the spot the adult tooth needs to grow into. This forces the adult tooth to be misplaced, often causing mouth pain and damage to the gums and preventing the puppy from chewing comfortably.

Retained baby teeth need to be surgically removed by a veterinarian. Proper dental work at a young age will prevent future problems.

Dogs can have braces too!

Your veterinarian can examine your puppy’s teeth as he (or she) grows to check for dental problems.X-rays can be taken to ensure the adult teeth are growing in well. Veterinary orthodontists can improve a dog’s bite pattern with special braces! Also, in certain situations, root canals, bridges and crowns may be required for pets.

Prevention is key to a healthy set of choppers for your dog. Both puppies and adult dogs can be trained to accept tooth brushing.

How to brush your dog’s teeth

Start by rubbing and handling the outside of your dog’s muzzle with your fingers. Then, insert your fingers into the dog’s mouth and rub along the outside of the teeth.
After a few days, when your dog is used to this, introduce some veterinary approved toothpaste. Many pet toothpastes come in flavours dogs love such as poultry, beef, tuna and even vanilla mint.
Let the dog lick the toothpaste off your fingers, then gently insert your fingers with the paste into his mouth.
After a few days of practice, apply the toothpaste to a special finger brush or a regular toothbrush for pets.
Brush using a circular motion. The whole brushing procedure should only take about 30 seconds.
Usually only the outside of a dog’s teeth can be brushed. Not many dogs will open wide enough for you to brush the inside of the tooth’s surface.
Be careful not to brush young puppies’ teeth too roughly during teething, which can cause gum pain or bleeding.
Reward your dog with a healthy treat afterwards to ensure that he sees brushing as an enjoyable exercise.

Many dogs learn to love brushing

My clients often tell me their dogs come running when they hear and smell the toothpaste being opened.
Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly also gives you the chance to observe your pet’s mouth often. You can more readily detect and report injured teeth, sore gums or other mouth problems to your veterinarian.
Home dental products can be very beneficial. Ask your veterinarian to advise you on which ones are safe for your dog.
In addition to tooth brushing, your veterinarian can advise you on dental care products including plaque and tartar reducing foods, treats and toys, and special mouth rinses or water additives.
Before offering dental care products to your pet, be sure to ask your veterinarian if they are safe. Several toys and treats can actually damage your dog’s teeth or gums because they are too hard or rough.

Professional dental cleaning is necessary

Although safe dental home care products are very beneficial, they do not prevent the need for periodic professional dental cleaning.
Like humans, some dogs develop more tartar than other dogs. Some dogs need a professional cleaning every year while others only need it every three to four years.
Your veterinarian can perform a dental cleaning that includes cleaning each tooth and underneath the gum line. Your pet’s gums are probed to see if any peridontal pockets are present. X-rays are also taken to determine the health of the root structure.
Regular care and maintenance of your dog’s teeth will keep your pet smiling
After a dental cleaning and necessary treatments such as root canals or extractions of infected or broken teeth, pet owners often report that their dog acts like a puppy again! The relief that pets feel after having bacteria removed and painful teeth extracted or treated is immense.

For more information, consult with your veterinarian.

Teeth as a Guide to Your Dog’s Age

Age Teeth Present

Birth None
3-4 weeks Deciduous teeth coming in
6 weeks All deciduous teeth are in
3-5 months Permanent incisors coming in
5-6 months Permanent canines start to erupt and by end of 6 months are in
6-7 Last molar in lower jaw (M3) is in

Overall health and nutrition, sex, breed, and season of birth affect tooth eruption time. Females’ teeth often erupt before those of males, and pups whelped in summer have teeth that erupt before those born in winter. All other factors being equal, teeth of large breeds of dogs tend to erupt more rapidly than those of small breeds. Some dogs, particularly those of small breeds, tend to retain their baby teeth as the adult ones erupt. These teeth have to be removed by a veterinarian when they prevent proper adult tooth placement.

After one year of age, chewing habits, mouth health, and mouth structure make it much more difficult to judge a dog’s age by his or her teeth. As a guide:
1 1/2 years Cusp worn off lower middle incisor
2 1/2 Cusp worn off lower incisor next to middle
3 1/2 Cusp worn off upper middle incisor
4 1/2 Cusp worn off upper incisor next to middle
5 1/2 Wear on last incisors
6 1/2 Canines becoming blunt

Teeth are categorized into four types:
– incisors (I),
– canines or cuspids (C),
– premolars (P),
– and molars (M).

The average puppy has twenty-eight deciduous (baby) teeth arranged in the following manner: Starting at the middle of the front teeth (incisors)

Upper teeth of 1/2 mouth = 2 (I 3/3 C 1/1 P 3/3) = 28
Lower teeth of 1/2 mouth

A puppy has no molars. The appearance of these baby teeth and their replacement by the permanent ones is a convenient way to estimate the age of a young dog. (See table above)

The average adult dog has forty-two permanent teeth:
Upper teeth of 1/2 mouth =2 (I 3/3 C 1/1 P 4/4 M 2/3) =42
Lower teeth of 1/2 mouth

Links:

http://www.seefido.com/html/puppy_dog_nutrition___puppy_te.htm

http://www.puppyanddogbasics.com/ph2.asp

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/clientED/anatomy/images/dog_teeth.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Zoo/1224/canineteeth.html