How many teeth should dogs have at different ages. How many teeth does a dog have? When her “baby teeth” change

Teeth are of vital importance for a dog. The set of teeth must be complete, i.e. 42 teeth.
A dental formula is a symbolic record, using numbers and letters, that shows the location, number and type of teeth in a dog's mouth.
I have come across several types of dental formulas, for example, where the numbers in front of the letter indicate the number of teeth a certain kind, and in letters - the type of teeth.

Formula permanent teeth as follows:
2M 4P 1C 3I 3I 1C 4P 2M (upper jaw) -20 teeth
3M 4P 1C 3I 3I 1C 4P 3M (lower jaw) - 22 teeth
or, where the numbers after the letter indicate the place this tooth, and the letter is the type of tooth:
M2,M1,P4,P3,P2,P1,I3,I2,I1 I1,I2,I3,C,P1,P2,P3,P4,M1,M2
M3,M2,M1,P4,P3,P2,P1,I3,I2,I1 I1,I2,I3,C,P1,P2,P3,P4,M1,M2,M3

dental system
Upper jaw:
3 cutters (Incisivi)
1 fang (Caninus)
4 premolars (Praemolares)
2 molars (Molares)
Lower jaw:
3 cutters (Incisivi)
1 fang (Caninus)
4 premolars (Praemolares)
3 indigenous (Molares) - molars.
So, the teeth should be in a set of 42 pieces, but sometimes some dogs have a shortage (oligodonia), or extra teeth (polyodontia, hyperdontia).
Sometimes in young dogs you can see 7 or 8 incisors (although according to the formula there should be 6 on the lower and 6 on the upper). This sometimes happens, because some dogs have a fairly wide intercanine distance - the teeth fill vacancies. Biologically filling voids occurs by increasing not the size of the teeth, but their number. (for example, Mastiffs quite often have 8 incisors on top and bottom, and in Dobermans, who have a rather narrow intercanine distance, the opposite phenomenon can be found - five or even four teeth).
However, if you look at this increase in teeth from the other side, then you can note the following: Most canids, both domestic and wild, have a genetically fixed formula of incisors 6x6. Ouspenskaya, in her book Breeding Rottweilers in Russia, makes the interesting suggestion that "Any deviation from the normal structure of the dental arcade should be taken as a signal of a genetic imbalance in given feature, as well as hereditary disorders of physiology and calcium metabolism. However, a clear scheme of the relationship of these changes has not yet been established.
The second type of teeth are canines. And if the incisors serve to bite small pieces of meat from the bones and as a tool for self-care, then the fangs are used to tear large pieces of meat, and also as a weapon.
The third type of teeth are premolars. In adult dogs, there are 4 on the top and 4 on the bottom on each branch of the jaw (16 in total). P1 has no dairy predecessors and grows at 4-5 months.
The fourth type of teeth - molars - there are 2 of them at the top and 3 at the bottom on each branch, in total 10. All of them do not have milk predecessors and grow when changing teeth. Functional purpose premolars and molars - grinding food and gnawing.
I would like to note once again that the absence of a tooth (s) or the presence of extra teeth - perhaps indicates a genetic imbalance, deviations in the structure skeletal system, perhaps about improper feeding or some kind of illness. The teeth must be normal size, white (not yellow or blackened), worn out or lacking enamel beyond age.
Puppies are born toothless. At 3 - 4 weeks from birth, the puppies begin to erupt milk teeth, in the following order:
incisors appear first (4 - 6 weeks)
then fangs (3-5 weeks)
P3 and P4 premolars (weeks 5-6)

The dental formula before the change of teeth is as follows:
3P 1C 3I 3I 1C 3P (upper jaw) -14 teeth
3P 1C 3I 3I 1C 3P (lower jaw) - 14 teeth
or
P4,P3,P2,C,I3,I2,I1 I1,I2,I3,C,P2,P3,P4
P4,P3,P2,I3,I2,I1 I1,I2,I3,C,P2,P3,P4

The change of milk teeth by permanent ones begins at the 4th month in this order:
incisors - fall out first (3-5 months)
from 4 to 7 months - fangs change
P1 grows first from indigenous ones - at 4-6 months and does not change (i.e. there is no milk P1);
then they grow and also remain always M1 - at 4-5 months and M2 - at 5-6 months, M3 - at 6-7 months.

Thus, by seven months, the change of teeth should be completely completed.

Oral cavity

ANATOMY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF A DOG

Teeth- strong organs oral cavity, serving to capture and hold food, bite it, crush and grind, as well as protect and attack.

A tooth is made up of dentin, enamel and cementum.
Dentine- tissue that forms the basis of the tooth.
Dentin consists of a calcified matrix pierced by dentinal tubules containing outgrowths of odontoblast cells lining the tooth cavity. The intercellular substance contains organic (collagen fibers) and mineral components (hydroxyapatite crystals). Dentin has various zones, differing in microstructure and color.
Enamel- a substance that covers the dentin in the area of ​​the crown. Made up of crystals mineral salts oriented in a special way with the formation of enamel prisms. Enamel does not contain cellular elements and is not a tissue. Enamel color is normal from white to cream with a yellowish tint (distinguish from plaque).
Cement- tissue covering the dentin in the root area. The structure of cement is close to bone tissue. It consists of cells of cementocytes and cementoblasts and a calcified matrix. The supply of cement occurs diffusely from the periodontium.

Inside the tooth is cavity, which is subdivided into coronal cavity and root canal, opening with the above apex of the tooth. dental cavity fills dental pulp made up of nerves and blood vessels, immersed in loose connective tissue and providing metabolism in the tooth. Distinguish coronal and root pulp.

Supporting apparatus of the tooth Gum- the mucous membrane that covers the dental edges of the corresponding bones, tightly growing together with their periosteum.
The gum covers the tooth in the cervical region. It is abundantly supplied with blood (tendency to bleeding), but relatively weakly innervated. The grooved depression located between the tooth and the free edge of the gum is called the gingival sulcus.
Periodontium, alveolar wall and gums form supporting apparatus of the tooth - periodontium.
Periodontist- provides attachment of the tooth to the dental alveolus.
It consists of the periodontium, the wall of the dental alveoli and the gums. The periodontium performs the following functions: supporting and shock-absorbing, barrier, trophic and reflex.

Change of teeth

Dog teeth, like most mammals, are diphyodont type, that is, during the life of the animal there is one change of teeth: the first generation - temporary, or baby teeth replaced by second generation teeth - permanent. In dogs, only P1 is not replaced, which erupt along with milk teeth and remain permanent.

Table: Timing of teething in dogs

Change of teeth (plain radiograph)

Types of teeth

Dogs - heterodont animals, i.e. have teeth of various structures depending on the functions they perform. There are the following types of teeth: incisors, fangs and permanent teeth: pre-root (false, small root), or premolars and truly indigenous, or molars having no dairy predecessors.

Teeth arranged in sequence in a row form upper and lower dental arches (arcades). The upper arcade is represented by the 20th, and the lower one by 22 teeth (10 and 11 on each side, respectively).

Anatomy of the incisors of the superior arcade


26 - hooks
27 - middle incisors
28 - edges

Unlike cats, dogs have evolved to be omnivores. This is due to their excellent arrangement of teeth compared to cats.

The teeth of one side in the direction from the medial plane are arranged as follows:

  • 3 incisors (I 1-3). 1 fang (C);
  • 4 premolars (P 1-4);
  • 2 and 3 molars (M 1-2 and M 1-3), respectively, on the upper and lower jaws.

Teeth various types differ in the size and shape of the crown and root, as well as the number of the latter.

incisors

incisors are located in the alveoli of the alveolar process of the incisor bone and the incisal part of the lower jaw, 6 in each arcade. The incisors of one arcade in the direction from the median plane are called, respectively: hooks, middle and edges. The upper incisors are larger than the lower ones, and their size increases significantly from the toe to the edge.

X-ray of the incisors

fangs

fangs- 1 on each side of both arcades. The crown is conical, curved forward, and is longer than the crowns of other teeth. It has 1 powerful root of a conical shape, squeezed from the sides, also curved. The apex of the root is directed distally. Its length exceeds the length of the crown by 1.5 times.

X-ray of canine teeth

Permanent teeth

The molars of each arcade increase in size distally to the largest cutting teeth also called predatory. The primary teeth have different structure on the upper and lower arcs, in connection with which their structure will be considered separately.

The molars of the upper dental arch.

X-ray of premolars

molars- 2 on each side. Their longitudinal axes are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the median plane.
M 1- the crown has 6 tubercles: 2 large buccal, middle - lingual and 3 small ones between them. The tooth has 3 roots: powerful lingual
and 2 smaller buccal - medial and distal.
M 2- the crown has 4-5 tubercles: 2 buccal (medial and distal) and 2-3 lingual. Roots 3, their location is similar to that of M 1.

The molars of the lower dental arch.

R 1-4 similar in structure to those of the upper arcade, with the exception of somewhat longer and narrower roots.
Lower R 1 sometimes referred to in the literature as a wolf's tooth.

molars- 3 on each side.

M 1- the largest of the molars. The crown has 5 tubercles: medial, 2 distal and 2 middle between them: powerful buccal
and lesser lingual. Roots 2: medial and distal.

M 2- the crown has 3-4 tubercles: 2 medial and 2 distal. The tooth has 2 roots, identical in size: medial and distal.

M 3- the smaller of the molars, the crown usually has 1 or 2 cusps. Root one, rarely two.

dental formula

Recording teeth in the form digital series, where each digit denotes the number of teeth of a certain type on one side of each arcade in the direction from the median plane is called dental formula.

The dental formula looks like:
baby teeth D: ICP/ICP
molars: P: ICPM/ICPM.

Dog teeth formulas:
D: 3130/3130
R: 3142/3143.

Thus, 28 milk teeth (the first premolars, which are essentially permanent teeth, although they erupt with a milk change, should not be taken into account here) and 42 permanent teeth.

In medical dental practice accepted entry of the dental formula according to the following scheme: D: PCI|ICP/PCI|ICP; R: MPCI|ICPM / MPCI|ICPM reflects the number of teeth in the entire arcade, and not just on one side. In this case dental formula dogs will look like D: 313| 313/ 313|313; R: 2413|3142/3413|3143.

This form of recording the dental formula seems to be the most rational. Using this type of notation, you can briefly designate any tooth of the arcade. For example, a permanent lower left second premolar is designated as P|P2, a milky upper right toe as DI1|-, or OP for short. The entry D|P1 is erroneous, since dairy first there is no premolar in dogs.

Bite

The closure of the dental arches is called occlusion, or bite.

When the dog's jaws close, the upper incisors go in front of the lower incisors in such a way that the lingual surfaces of the first freely contact the vestibular (pre-door) surface of the second, and the canines freely enter the corresponding diastema, forming the so-called lock. This is due to the fact that the upper dental arcade is somewhat wider than the lower one (anisognathic arcades). Adjoining teeth are called antagonists.

The bite may vary depending on the shape and size of the jaws and incisor bone, the direction of growth of the incisors and canines, which in turn is determined by the breed, the type of constitution of the animal, age and other factors.

Options for physiological bite are:

orthognathia or scissor bite described above. It is characteristic for dogs with gentle, strong and strong rough types of constitution. It is normal for most breeds. With this bite, the erasure of the incisors occurs most slowly.

If the lower incisors are located behind the upper, but separated from them at some distance, such a bite is called undershot bite.

In this case, the medial surface of the upper canines and the distal surface of the lower canines are worn down due to friction.

Such a bite may be due to anomalies in bone development (elongated upper jaw and / or shortened lower jaw - microgenia) or tooth growth. It is more common in dogs of dolichocephalic breeds with a sharp muzzle. It occurs in puppies with a massive head in the cheekbones and a wide lower jaw in the branches. As a rule, with the end of the formation of the skeleton, the bite in such puppies is restored to a scissor or straight bite.

For adult dogs of most breeds, it is considered a vice, as it greatly complicates the intake of food and reduces the performance of the animal. In addition, when undershot, the fangs of the lower jaw do not form a lock, but injure the palate.

Progenia or snack The lower incisors are in front of the upper ones. Significant shortening of the bones facial department with a normal or elongated lower jaw, it causes the forward movement of not only the lower incisors, but also the canines - bulldog bite. It is standard for breeds such as English and French Bulldog, pug, boxer and some others, provided that the incisors and fangs of the lower jaw do not protrude beyond the upper lip.

Level bite(pincer-shaped) - the incisors are in contact with the edges.
Such a bite is typical for dogs of coarse and coarse loose types of constitution with a massive lower jaw. For some breeds, a level bite is allowed by the standard unconditionally or from a certain age. For example, in the FCI-335 breed standard Central asian shepherd dog(entered into force on 03/22/2000) states: "scissor bite, straight or tight bite (without a break), regardless of age." With a direct bite, the incisors wear down most quickly.

Gradual wear of enamel and dentin with age physiological process. At correct bite, physiological loads in the dental organ, adequate compensatory changes occur, ensuring the full functioning of the worn teeth.

Timing of tooth wear

The timing of the erasure of crowns in dogs, as in other animals, depends on many factors. These include, first of all, bite. As stated above, in a scissor bite, the grinding of incisors and canines is much slower than in a pincer bite and other types of bite.
It should not be forgotten that in addition to the types described, there is a great variety of pathological forms of bite, in which grinding individual teeth occurs inappropriately for age.

Also, the intensity of wear of the crowns is determined by the feeding conditions, such as: the consistency of the feed (dry or wet food); the depth of the dish from which the dog takes food, and the material from which it is made (whether the dog has the ability to physiologically capture the food and not injure the teeth). The habit of some dogs to gnaw and carry hard objects greatly affects the timing of grinding incisors and other teeth.

Of particular importance for erasing teeth are the individual characteristics of the microstructure and chemical composition enamel and dentin. Such deviations can be either congenital ( hereditary factor, the use of teratogenic drugs in pregnant dogs, gross violations of feeding and diseases during pregnancy), and acquired (disease with plague and other infectious diseases during the period of changing teeth, taking tetracycline drugs in young animals, excess fluoride in the body (dental fluorosis), the use of aggressive chemical substances(mineral acids) for the treatment of the oral cavity, etc.

Given the above factors, it becomes obvious that it is impossible to establish a strict relationship between the degree of abrasion of individual teeth and the age of the animal. The exception is animals under the age of 10-12 months, in which the sequence of eruption of permanent teeth is quite stable, and after its completion (6-7 months) up to 10-12 months, the crowns of permanent teeth are finally pushed into the oral cavity.

Above 1 year, the correlation of erasure with age is rather conditional.

Trefoil erasure of the lower incisors (2.5 years)


Below are approximate dates dental changes in dogs.

The erasure of shamrocks begins at the age of about 2 years. First, they grind down on the lower incisors, by the age of 3 - on the upper hooks, by the 4th - on the middle ones, and by the age of 5-6, shamrocks, as a rule, are absent on all incisors, except for the upper edges.

From 5-6 to 10-12 years old, with varying intensity, the lower incisors advance (the first, usually, the lower hooks move forward), the canines and large tubercles of the molars are worn down.

In dogs older than 10-12 years, the crowns of the lower toes are usually almost completely worn off. The crowns of other teeth are slightly evenly ground off. If the animal does not suffer from periodontal disease (which is rare in dogs home content), then natural tooth loss begins by the age of 14-17.

Note that with periodontitis and periodontal disease, complete loss of teeth can occur by the age of 8-10 years.

More reliable criterion determining the age of a dog is relative size tooth cavity. With age, there is a gradual decrease in the cavity of the tooth up to its complete obliteration in older dogs. This parameter is practically unaffected by external and internal factors and can be the basis for the development of methods for determining age.
To determine the size of the cavity of the tooth, it is necessary to take an x-ray. Using this technique, it will be possible to determine the age from a radiograph or thin section, with only one tooth available.

mechanical digestion

Digestion in the oral cavity occurs mainly mechanically, when chewing large fragments of food are broken into pieces and mixed with saliva. Chewing is especially important in terms of absorption of the ingredients. plant origin, insofar as nutrients are often enclosed in membranes containing cellulose that are not digestible. These membranes must be destroyed before the nutrients inside them can be used.

Mechanical digestion also allows you to increase the area exposed to the action of digestive enzymes.

The teeth of a dog, like a person, change throughout life, but in animals this process has individual characteristics and occurs in an accelerated form. In most cases, the owner does not need to intervene in these processes, so there is no need to delve into all the intricacies of the formation of "dental mechanisms". But it is useful for the owner of the dog to have a general idea of ​​the processes of growth and renewal of the dentition, in order to help his pet in time in case of non-standard situations.

Puppies are born completely toothless. Teeth begin to erupt by 20-30 days after birth, and already at the age of 6-8 weeks a complete set of 28 milk teeth appears (14 on each jaw). They have their own names:

  • 4 fangs;
  • 12 incisors;
  • 12 premolars.

In representatives of dwarf and decorative breeds, the first teeth erupt closer to 1.5 months.

First, milk fangs appear on the lower and upper jaws of dogs, between which the lower and upper incisors are later located. The difference in the time of appearance is usually a few days.

Compared to incisors, milk canines are longer. They are saber-shaped, but at the same time they are fragile. With their appearance, puppies are gradually weaned from their mother, since the feeding process breast milk starts giving her pain. The last to appear are premolars, which in puppies perform the function of molars.

The process of teething is quite painful, so during this period the puppy needs special attention. He tends to constantly gnaw on objects that come in his way, in order to get rid of discomfort Therefore, it is important to provide the puppy with rubber toys, rye crackers or cartilage.

Change process

At 3-4 months of life, milk teeth fall out, starting with the incisors. Under the root, the rudiment of the root organ of chewing develops, while the milk root resolves over time, and it falls out. As a rule, dogs do not even notice this process, swallowing or losing temporary teeth.

After updating the incisors, the change of premolars and the growth of molars begin, the canines are the last to change, first the lower, and then upper jaw. The total duration of the process is on average about two months, but may vary depending on the breed and should be completely completed by 6-8 months.

In large breeds, this passes a little faster compared to small, decorative breeds. In the latter, the molars often begin to grow when the milk teeth have not yet fallen out, therefore, regular inspections of the mouth are recommended for small pets in order to notice deviations in the process of changing the dental composition in time.

Some dogs may have problems updating the composition of the oral cavity, due to the anatomical features of the structure of the jaw. This applies to medium-faced and long-faced pets. Permanent teeth grow according to the principle of minimum resistance, that is, along the channel left after milk formation, so if the latter does not fall out for any reason, the permanent one can grow into wrong place or not grow at all. This will be a serious obstacle for the animal if it is necessary to participate in exhibitions or breeding.

How is the change of teeth

Normally, the process is asymptomatic and imperceptible to the animal. Occasionally, fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, and mild indigestion may occur. In this case, you should provide your pet with a protein-rich diet, as well as protect it from possible stresses associated with overheating or hypothermia, overwork and long trips.

In some cases, the intervention of a veterinarian is necessary, therefore, when age-related changes, the owner needs to monitor the process. The reasons for this may vary, ranging from breed predisposition and ending individual characteristics animal. Even an ear cropping procedure can cause a delay in the renewal of the dental composition.

If by the fourth month of life the teeth do not begin to change, it is better to consult a specialist for advice. But first, you can try to help the dog on your own: shake your teeth daily with your finger wrapped in a piece of bandage or a clean cloth.

Important! This method is unlikely to help to cope with fangs, since they have a deep and strong root and, if necessary, only a veterinarian should deal with their removal.

Indigenous

Normal at healthy pet There are 42 teeth in the mouth: 20 in the upper and 22 in the lower jaw. Each of them has:

  • 6 incisors
  • 2 fangs;
  • 8 premolars;
  • 4 molars in the upper jaw and 6 in the lower;

In some cases, there is a lack of one molar in the lower jaw, which is considered a variant of the norm. And among representatives of large breeds (Rottweilers, Great Danes, Mastiffs), additional incisors are a frequent occurrence.

Diagram of teeth adult dog as follows

On the front surface of the jaw there are incisors: in the center - hooks, along the edges - margins, and between them - middle ones. At the same time, the incisors of the upper jaw are larger in comparison with the lower ones. They are rarely used by animals: only for biting off small pieces of meat, combing wool or plucking prey. To hold the prey and tear the meat into pieces, 4 fangs are used, which are located immediately behind the incisors with a small gap, which ensures the closing of the jaw and the formation of the so-called "lock" for a strong and reliable grip. They are followed by the largest molars - sharper premolars and tuberculate molars, which are necessary for the pet to chew on solid food. Moreover, among them, the most massive chewing organs - the fourth in the upper and fifth in the lower jaw - are called carnivorous, behind which are located true molars or molars.

The ease and correctness of the growth of the chewing organs of an animal depends on many conditions. For example, from the diet. In order for the pet to have strong teeth, during the period of their active growth, it is necessary to ensure the presence of calcium, fluorine, phosphorus in the daily diet. Their source can be cottage cheese, cheese, kefir, vegetables or special vitamin and mineral supplements.

Improper nutrition can cause underdeveloped jaw muscles. This applies not only to a balanced diet, but also to the structure of food. In animals whose diet is dominated by food of soft and semi-liquid consistency ( canned meat) there is practically no load on the jaw, which may be the cause of violations in the change of the dentition. The dog must be given solid food or bones and toys that will stimulate the jaw and the development of the dental system, including for correct and timely eruption.

As for games, it is better to refuse those in which the puppy has to pull a rope or a toy on itself when the owner tries to pick it up, since milk teeth or insufficiently strong molars can be damaged as a result.

The process of change significantly weakens immune system pet, so at this time they do not spend preventive vaccinations: it is better to do them before the start of their update or after completion.

Milk teeth that do not fall out in time must be removed to make room for permanent ones. Otherwise, the molars may grow deformed and twisted and stick out the second row from anywhere in the gum. Of course, such a defect is unacceptable for a show class pet. In addition, an abnormally formed bite causes discomfort and pain to any animal in Everyday life, for example, while chewing food, which may be accompanied by painful sensations and deterioration in general well-being.

In order to exclude possible problems with the dentition, you need to regularly inspect the oral cavity. Moreover, it is necessary to accustom a puppy to this procedure from childhood, so that he is not afraid of it. Timely detection of the problem allows you to correct the bite, avoid possible defects in the dentition and the discomfort associated with them.

What is the oral cavity four-legged friend? How many teeth does a dog have? At what age do they change and what treatment do they need? Do dogs have toothache? If you don't know about it yet, we'll help you figure it out!

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Milk teeth

There are a lot of milk teeth in dogs of any breed - 28 pieces.

The formula for milk chewing organs, which are cut in a toothless puppy at about the age of 1 month, is as follows:

  • incisors - 6 upper, 6 lower;
  • fangs - 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom;
  • premolars - 6 pieces upper and lower.

The sequence of eruption is as follows: the canines appear first, followed by the incisors, and finally the premolars. Since there are no molars in the "children's" jaw, their function is performed by premolars.

The puppy's milk organs will not last long. From about 3.5-4 months, the process of their change begins, which should end by 6 months.

First, the dog loses the incisors, that is, they serve as a springboard for the formation of a permanent jaw. That's why it's important for a puppy to have milk teeth in in full force. Next, the premolars fall out, and the canines are the last to change. At small dogs the transition process can take a little longer up to 7 months, and in dogs of large breeds it happens faster.

An important process of changing teeth

Of course, the owner should be vigilant while the jaw of his pet will go through a series of changes. Normally, the change of teeth in dogs occurs imperceptibly and the teeth change without your participation. But there are various “extraordinary” situations when intervention and treatment is indispensable.

When should baby teeth be removed?

How smoothly the process of changing the chewing organs of your pet will occur depends on its breed. The point is that some dogs are anatomical features suffer from problems with changing the composition of the oral cavity. First of all, this applies to long-snouted and medium-snouted breeds. If by 4 months your pet has not begun to change teeth, it's time to sound the alarm.

For starters, you can "help" them fall out on your own. To do this, you can loosen the tooth several times a day with a finger wrapped in a clean cloth or gauze. The fangs are the hardest to deal with. Even milk fangs have a strong and deep root, so in this case, the removal of milk teeth in dogs will only take place at the veterinarian.

Remember that if you do not make room in time, the dog's molars will begin to grow incorrectly.

permanent teeth

A permanent set of chewing organs of a dog should consist of 42 pieces. 20 of them will be in the upper jaw, 22 in the lower. While the puppy will lose incisors and fangs, molars can imperceptibly grow, because the "milk" jaw does not imply them.

As a result, in a healthy adult dog, the oral cavity should have the following composition:

  • 6 incisors on both jaws;
  • 2 fangs;
  • 4 premolars;
  • 2 molars on the upper jaw, 3 on the lower.

By the way, for some breeds it is considered the norm when one molar in the lower jaw is missing. All other chewing organs must be present.

Dental problems

Not only do you and I need to visit the dentist regularly, our four-legged friends can also have problems in the oral cavity.

Do your teeth hurt?

Soreness in the dog's mouth in most cases can be caused by such problems:

  • carious lesions;
  • crown fractures;
  • inflammation of the gums and stomatitis;
  • strong accumulation of tartar.

In order to exclude possible problems, you should do regular examination of the dog's oral cavity and carry out timely treatment. Moreover, it is desirable to accustom the dog to the examination procedure from childhood, so that he is not afraid of her. Most likely, your pet has a toothache and needs treatment if he has a strong salivation. He also refuses to eat and has bad breath.

You can find out what treatment is required for canine organs in the video below!

Plaque

Plaque, alas, can also appear in quite young dogs. At first, we can observe plaque on the most distant chewing organs, but over time, if nothing is done with it, it can even appear on incisors and canines. Plaque is an unaesthetic hard deposit yellow color, first at the base of the masticatory organ, and then on the crowns.

Without treatment, plaque becomes the cause of caries, calculus and can eventually lead to tooth loss. important body. To prevent plaque from touching your pet, brush his teeth regularly and give solid food at least a couple of times a week.

Dropping out

Losing teeth in dogs different breeds may be due to head trauma or long-term periodontitis. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease gums, developing against the background of the accumulation of tartar and the pathogenic effects of plaque microorganisms. Treatment of it, if it occurs, is quite laborious.

As such, age-related tooth loss in dogs does not happen. When teeth fall out, it is always a pathology, and it is already very neglected. Therefore, how many teeth a dog will have at the end of its life will depend largely on you.

Video "How to brush your dog's teeth"

How to properly monitor the oral hygiene of your pet, you will be told by the video that will complete our review!


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Finding out how many teeth a dog has is important not only out of idle curiosity. This knowledge is necessary to control how they grow and change in a dog from puppyhood. If the number of teeth is not normal, developmental abnormalities may be present. Let's study the question of normal amount teeth in dogs.

Why you need to count the teeth of a pet

Not only an experienced specialist, but also the owner of the animal can determine how many teeth a dog should have. If the dog is already an adult, the normal condition of the jaws is an indicator that the digestive organs are working normally, the animal receives balanced diet is healthy and full of energy. Checking the number and condition of the teeth will help with age determination if the animal you have is not from puppyhood. Such situations are possible when the dog was adopted in a shelter or it appeared to you for other reasons as an adult.

What indicators are the norm

How many permanent teeth does a dog normally have? It's not a secret. If an adult animal has no health problems, 42 teeth should be located in its mouth. The place of attachment is the jaw bones.

To successfully study the teeth of pets, it is customary to use their classification. There are three groups of animal teeth in the form:

  1. Incisors - a healthy animal should have twelve of them with a norm of six pieces on the jaws below and above. The place of attachment of the first pair of incisors is the middle of the jaw, called hooks. The next pair in turn are the incisors of the middle location. At the end are the incisors of the last pair, called edges. Through the study of incisors, for experienced breeder dog or veterinarian will have no problem to determine the age of the dog one to five years old. Change of temporary incisors by permanent ones occurs in the process of growing up pet.
  2. Fangs - there are four of them, with an arrangement of two on the left and right side. Canines are characterized by the most developed teeth. For a dog, they are very important to defend, attack, grind solid food in the form of bones. Canines can be milky when the dog is a puppy, and permanent - in adult animals.
  3. Root teeth. Such teeth in the amount of twenty-six are arranged in the following sequence: twelve molars are given a place at the top of the jaw (six pieces on one side and the other). Bottom - 14 teeth: seven pieces on each side. These teeth have a wide surface. Their mission is to tear apart pieces of food - tough meat, for example. Among the twenty-six teeth, only sixteen have temporary predecessors. For the rest, it is common to grow immediately in the form of constants.

The study of the structure of teeth

How many permanent teeth a dog has is now known. They are also called "true indigenous". The period of development for a temporary variety of teeth, called milk teeth, in a puppy starts from three weeks of age. At three to four months, the process of gradual change of milk teeth by permanent ones should begin.

Consider the structure of dog teeth. They consist of the following parts:

  • Root - part of the tooth hidden inside the jaw socket. The neck of the tooth is called the area small size, located in the junction area where the root connects to the crown.
  • Crowns are the visible part of the tooth located at the top of the gums.

Given the peculiarities of the shape of the teeth, their structure is similar to that of a human. They also need to be treated. Proper and timely care guarantees the health of the pet. It is important to provide the animal good nutrition, in without fail offer food solid.

timing of tooth development in dogs

How many teeth does a small dog have? No less than an animal large breed. It is interesting to know what are the norms for the appearance of teeth in a fully developing puppy.

The sequence of teeth growth is as follows:

  • The fourth-sixth week is the time for the appearance of incisors.
  • The third to fifth week is reserved for the growth of fangs.
  • In the period of five to six weeks, false-rooted teeth (premolars) appear. They appear in the amount of three pieces on the left and right, above and below on the jaws.

A puppy is born without teeth. How many milk teeth does a dog have? At the age of two months, a puppy should normally have 28 pieces, respectively, 14 from above and below.

The appearance of root molars occurs immediately in permanent form, they cannot be dairy, which is also typical for premolars located directly behind the rows of canines.

When does a dog's teeth begin to change?

When a puppy develops successfully and reaches the age of four months, in his life there is an important event- milk teeth begin to change. Where do the first teeth go? They are replaced by permanent ones, and they fall out over time.

The sequence of changing teeth consists in changing the incisors, after which the canines also change. For false-rooted teeth, it is common to change simultaneously with the change of fangs or with a slight delay.

Some puppies even have to wait three months for all the teeth to be safely replaced and he becomes an adult. At the age of seven months, the completion of this process is noted, and the animal becomes the proud owner of 42 teeth. This is how many teeth a dog should have if it grows and develops normally.

Many dog ​​owners who have raised more than one pet may think that they have never noticed a change in teeth. This is normal, as the process goes unnoticed by the hosts. The tooth falls out when the puppy begins to gnaw on a bone or other hard food.

Sometimes a tooth falls out during the game, which may also not attract the attention of the owners. But the owners of a four-legged friend should monitor, check the condition of the jaws during a visual inspection, taking into account the age of the pet. It may happen that the sequence of teething is disturbed. This situation requires the advice of a veterinarian. After all, this may mean that the animal has signs of rickets - a serious pathology, the result of which can be a disability of the pet.

Features of the state of the dog during the period of changing teeth

In order for a puppy to have as many teeth as an adult dog, milk must be successfully replaced by permanent ones. When the change process occurs, for a young dog it is fraught with a decrease in immunity. It is important to take care of the health of the animal:

  • prevent hypothermia of the body;
  • do not feed the dog food that has not previously been introduced into the diet;
  • do not walk among a large number animals so that the pet does not get infected from other dogs;
  • visit a veterinarian and discuss with him the need for dog vaccinations.

As a rule, it is required to repeat the vaccinations that were made before the change of teeth, at the end of this difficult period for the puppy.

How to tell how old a dog is by their teeth

By finding out how many teeth a dog has, you can also calculate its age. If you have a pet in adulthood, the determination method proposed below will help you figure out how old the dog is, provided that it has good conditions accommodation, good nutrition, no diseases.

If these conditions were not met, the animal's body could be depleted, and the results would be unreliable.

So, we determine how old the dog is. To do this, you need to take into account the sharpness of the incisors:

  • lower front - dog 1.5 years old;
  • average bottom - 2.5 years;
  • front top - 3.5;
  • averages at the top - 4.5;
  • extreme bottom - 5.5;
  • extreme at the top - 6 years.

At an older age, there are problems with the teeth of a dog:

  • Fangs hurt, become blunt - at 8 years old.
  • There is a grinding of the front incisors, they become oval in shape - at 9-10 years.
  • Loss of front incisors - from 10 to 12 years.
  • Loss of all teeth, only fangs remain - from 12 to 16 years.
  • At the age of twenty, fangs will fall out. Until this time, not many dogs survive.

If there is plaque on the teeth of the beast, this indicates problems with nutrition or digestive system.

Summing up

This article provides information on how many teeth a dog has. Normally, their number is 42 pieces for an animal in normal condition developing correctly. To study the teeth of dogs, their classification is proposed. By the condition of the teeth, you can determine how old the dog is.

Take care of your pets and their teeth will be in order.

When asked how many teeth a dog has, not only a specialist should know the answer. An experienced veterinarian will be able to determine if there are deviations from the norm during examination. But it is not always possible to seek qualified advice. Therefore, each caring owner A four-legged pet should have information about the age at which puppies change their milk teeth. By observing this process, you can notice in time possible deviations off the mark and seek help.

dental formula

So how many teeth does a dog have? Are there differences from a person? Normally, an adult dog should have 42 teeth (20 on top and 22 on the bottom). Six incisors are located in front of the upper and lower jaws. They serve to bite off food and have their own names. A pair of hooks are located in the center. Behind them are the middle incisors and even further - the edges.

The molars are used for chewing food. On the upper jaw there are 6 of them on the right and left, on the lower jaw - 7 on both sides. Three pairs of top and four pairs of bottom chewing teeth located closer to the incisors change. They are called false-rooted and in the formula they are designated as premolars. The remaining chewing teeth located on the edge (three pairs above and below) grow later than the milk teeth and do not change. They are called real indigenous and the formula is designated as molars.

Canines are located between the incisors and molars. There are only four of them: a pair of top and bottom. The purpose of these teeth is to tear off and grind hard food, to demonstrate it to intimidate the enemy, and to use it for defense and attack. When biting, it is the traces of the fangs that are most noticeable on the body, since these teeth are longer than the others. In total, it turns out that only 42 teeth should be located in the dog's mouth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 26 molars.

Breed influence

When asking how many teeth a dachshund dog has, the answer you will get is the same as for any other breed. According to experts, the number of teeth is the same in all species. However, there is an opinion that decorative breeds may not have their complete set.

Then how many teeth do you have? chihuahua dogs? Normally, they should still be 42. But there may be a lack of two small molars in the lower jaw. Such conventions are associated with the admission of animals to exhibitions and competitions. For the dog itself, their absence is imperceptible and does not affect nutrition.

Consider another decorative rock and answer in relation to it the question "how many teeth does a dog have?". A toy terrier may have "extra" teeth. So, examining the mouth of a dog of this breed, one can observe additional rows incisors or premolars. It is necessary to distinguish a milk set that has not yet fallen out from permanent extra teeth. This should be judged by the age of the dog. As a rule, in 7 - 8 months, the teeth should completely change. Deviation from the norm gives reason to seek the advice of a specialist.

Change of teeth

A born dog puppy has no teeth. They begin to grow from the age of three weeks, and erupt only in the second month of life. Timing for representatives of different breeds may vary. Young puppies get on initial stage development of milk teeth, which after six months are replaced by permanent ones. This applies to incisors, canines and premolars. The molars, or true molars, grow in later and remain for the rest of their lives. Therefore, when answering the question of how many teeth a dog has, this feature should be taken into account.

New teeth grow in place of old milk teeth. For eruption, they use existing channels. It is believed that the root of a replaced tooth softens when it is “supported” from below by the top of a new one. For puppies, this process, if everything goes well, does not cause inconvenience. They lose or swallow their teeth. The prolapse can happen while eating or playing. A small bleeding wound may remain in place of a fallen tooth for some time. New permanent tooth should be out in two weeks.

Peculiarities

How many teeth does a dog that has changed all its teeth have? If in the eighth month of life the pet has an incomplete set (less than 42 pieces), you need to contact a specialist. You should also pay attention to extra teeth in terriers, especially if they are not going to fall out. If you leave them, malocclusion may soon develop.

Staggering baby tooth you can try to remove the pet yourself at home. If it is not possible to do this by hand, use tweezers or other suitable tool. Puppies need to be prepared for this. To do this, experienced dog breeders from their youth teach their pet to show their mouths for inspection.

Tightly spaced "extra" teeth tend to increase plaque deposition. This can lead to gum problems. Tartar, just like in humans, is deposited on the enamel. Its excessive growths damage the gums and contribute to the development of even more complex pathologies. Malocclusion or extra teeth are not only harmful to health, but can also be the reason for disqualification of the dog at shows or competitions.

Problems

For the purity of the breed, it is important not only to preserve external signs. When admitting to breeding, experts also pay attention to how many teeth a dog has. A change in their number, not associated with a natural replacement, can also be caused by genetic factors.

Incomplete teeth (oligodontia) in dogs are usually manifested by missing first or second incisors. This feature is found in shepherd dogs. Dachshunds may be missing a pair of last molars.

An extra set (polydontia) appears in small breeds terriers, dachshunds and spaniels. It may be false due to the remaining milk incisors and premolars, or real. In this case, usually one, less often two teeth are superfluous. Such pathologies occur when different breeds of dogs are crossed and are manifested by genetic mutations.

Dental care

If you do not take care of the teeth of a four-legged pet, it may have problems. Seriously affects the health of the presence of tartar. The reason for its appearance may be the lack of hard food in the diet (not bones, but carrots, apples, crackers). These products, when consumed, contribute to the natural removal of deposits during chewing.

Some owners consider such food unacceptable for a dog. In this case, regular supervision by a veterinarian is necessary. You can also remove tartar on your own at home after a little practice. For this, a special hook is used. They scrape off deposits after securely fixing the dog's muzzle.

You can train your pet with early age regular (once a week) brushing of teeth. To do this, it is convenient to use a soft children's brush, worn on the fingers. You can also use baby paste, but it is better to purchase a special one at the pet store. How many teeth a dog will have in the process of life depends to some extent on its owner.