Dog teeth and what you should know about them

Puppy's milk teeth

The deciduous set consists of 28 teeth that develop on either side of the jaw as follows:

• The incisors break off between the 3rd and 4. week of life through
• The fangs come a little later between the 3rd and the 5th Week
• The molars between the 4th and 12. life week

Depending on how big the dog is supposed to be, the change of teeth can start a little earlier or a little later.

What is the use of short-lived milk teeth?

With its milk teeth, the dog practices as a puppy how it can use its teeth later, for example to crush its food or hold things. In the whelping box he also learns, from and with his siblings, how to use his teeth appropriately in play. If a puppy becomes too rough during play, its siblings will let it know with corresponding vocalizations and then turn away from it. This is how the so-called bite inhibition develops, which is not innate but has to be learned.

You, as a human, should continue this exercise later by withdrawing from the game if the puppy is too cocky with its sharp teeth. So he experiences that if he gets too rough, it's game over for that moment.

Do milk teeth need special attention?

It should be noted at this point that the dog's teeth should be checked regularly and at an early stage by the veterinarian. In this way, many problems can be identified and eliminated at an early stage. For example, misaligned teeth that the lay eye does not recognize at first glance. Or broken milk teeth, some of which are still stuck in the dog's jaw, prevent the advancing tooth from growing and can cause further problems.

The puppy teeth and the change of teeth

Puppies are born toothless. Between the third and fourth week of life, the first milk teeth appear, which are only noticeable on closer inspection. It's in growing up dog breeds It is possible that they will change teeth earlier, with breeds that remain small it can be later. The milk teeth are hardly between the 7th and the 12th Completely formed in the week, the change of teeth is already beginning. Again, you have to look very carefully if you want to find and keep a few baby teeth. Puppies often swallow their baby teeth too.
The change of teeth is usually complete when the dog is seven months old. Sooner or later, depending on the size of the breed. Only then does the dog have its complete set of teeth, which ideally accompanies it throughout its life.

The change of teeth can lead to physical complaints such as diarrhea, exhaustion or increased temperature. If you notice such symptoms at this stage of life, a visit to the veterinarian is advisable. This can, but does not have to be related to the change of teeth. It's always better to get this sorted out.

What needs does the puppy have during the change of teeth?

You should be prepared for the fact that your puppy will start chewing on chair or table legs and other objects as teeth change. He doesn't do this because he wants to annoy you, but to support himself with the change of teeth. Luckily, it's pretty easy to remedy this: Pet supply stores have a wide range of toys that are suitable for puppies are ideally suited to changing teeth. Regardless of whether you order toys for puppies online or buy them locally: splinter-free materials are important so that the pup does not injure itself or swallow splinters. Most online shops have their own categories for puppy toys, and the staff at the local specialist retailer will be happy to advise you.

Checking the milk teeth in preparation for dental care and a visit to the vet

Until the change of teeth is complete, you should regularly check the puppy's teeth and see if a milk tooth has broken off. If you approach this check lovingly and patiently, it is also great preparation for veterinary examinations and dental care, which should also be done with dogs. If you notice a broken tooth, you should see your veterinarian. Part of the broken tooth may still be stuck in the puppy's jaw. It is possible for the vet to remove this part to prevent infection. And, as mentioned above, to give the advancing tooth room to grow.

This phase of life is over after seven months: From then on, the dog has its complete set of teeth, consisting of 42 teeth, which we will look at in the following section.

The teeth of the adult dog

Now the puppy is no longer a puppy but a young dog. As such, he has 42 permanent teeth. These are distributed as follows:

• 6 incisors each in the upper and lower jaw, so a total of 12
• 2 pointed fangs each in the upper and lower jaw
• 4 front molars (premolars) each in the upper and lower jaw, 8 in total
• 4 more molars each in the upper jaw and 6 more molars in the lower jaw

Equipped in this way by nature, the dog is prepared for many things in life. With his full set of teeth, he can not only crush different types of food, but also serve as a tool. Nowadays, this mainly means that the dog transports toys in its mouth, for example when retrieving.

When it comes to grooming, which the dog also does to some extent independently, the teeth are also used from time to time. For example, if the dog has an annoying knot or something of that nature in his fur his incisors are of great help in removing the knot.

Aside from these uses, dogs essentially use their teeth to break down their food.

Dental care for dogs - what options there are for this and why it is so important

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, bad teeth can contribute to or aggravate a number of diseases in dogs. Therefore, it is imperative to keep an eye on and care for the dog's teeth. If a puppy gets used to the fact that its people are looking into its muzzle from the start, it is not a difficult task.

Cleaning the dog's teeth - this is how you can proceed

There are different ways to clean and care for a dog's teeth. In the specialist trade for pet supplies, both suitable toothpastes and toothbrushes are available dogs available. So-called finger cots are almost even better than a special toothbrush. These are similar to a thimble, except that they are made of cotton or something similar. The finger stalls are slipped over the index finger and covered with a small amount of toothpaste. Equipped in this way, you can easily clean your dog's teeth.

Other options for dental hygiene are special feed additives that are intended to prevent tartar and deposits. These are available either as a spray, in powder form or as biscuits. The effectiveness is disputed. Some dog owners swear by it, others see no effect whatsoever. My advice is therefore: try it and observe. If a supplement like this works for your dog, it's definitely a great way to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Certain chews and chews also help to clean teeth. The specialist shop for pet supplies is also the right place to go in this regard.

How dental health can affect overall health

The health aspect of dog teeth is also not to be neglected. If tartar forms on the teeth, internal organs such as the heart, liver or kidneys can be affected and very serious diseases can develop. So always keep an eye on your dog's teeth. If, despite the best dental care, you notice persistent discoloration and tartar, the vet should examine the dog's teeth. If only because a dog can have a toothache. Tartar may need to be surgically removed.

Periodontitis can also occur in dogs and, in the worst case, cause the dog's teeth to fall out. This disease is also known to us humans and is shown by the fact that the gums recede. If you notice this symptom in your dog, a vet visit is advisable.

The bite in older dogs

In older dogs, the bit still deserves our attention, maybe even more than in younger years. Pay attention to your senior if he might lose one or the other front tooth or if you notice broken teeth on him. The latter should be treated by a veterinarian. Even with good dental care, it can happen in old age that the teeth of the dog lose substance. Dry food must then be soaked if necessary.

In any case, it is advisable to continue to care for the teeth of the senior dog and to keep an eye on them. This increases your dog's chance of a long life without major restrictions. Your beloved four-legged friend may be spared many illnesses if you take care of keeping his teeth healthy.

Finally, I wish your four-legged friend a long life without toothache or similar complaints. Luckily, as a human, you have a great deal of influence over the condition of your dog's teeth. I wish you a long and carefree time together!