Dog Teeth Chart: How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have?
Vet verified. Written by Corinne Homer, Copywriter. Reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon MVB MRCVS, Team Vet.
Most adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth: 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower jaw. Puppies normally have 28 deciduous, or baby, teeth. The puppy teeth fall out as permanent teeth erupt, usually completing the change by about 6 to 7 months of age.
A count is useful, but it is not the whole dental exam. A tooth may be absent, unerupted, fractured or previously extracted, and a retained baby tooth can sit beside a permanent tooth. Dental records and intraoral X-rays help a veterinarian determine what is actually present below the gumline.
Dog teeth chart
| Adult tooth type | Number | Main role |
|---|---|---|
| Incisors | 12 | Nibbling, grooming and picking up small items |
| Canines | 4 | Grasping and holding |
| Premolars | 16 | Shearing and crushing food |
| Molars | 10 | Crushing and grinding toward the back of the mouth |
| Total | 42 | Normal complete permanent dentition |
The upper jaw normally contains 6 incisors, 2 canines, 8 premolars and 4 molars. The lower jaw normally contains 6 incisors, 2 canines, 8 premolars and 6 molars. This explains why the lower jaw has two more teeth than the upper jaw.
What does each type of dog tooth do?
The small incisors at the front help a dog nibble, groom and pick up fine objects. The four long canine teeth help grasp and hold. Premolars behind the canines shear and crush, while the molars at the back handle more grinding and crushing. The large upper fourth premolar and lower first molar form a shearing pair called the carnassial teeth.
Function does not make a tooth indestructible. Antlers, bones, hooves, hard nylon and other objects that do not bend can fracture carnassials and canines. A slab fracture may expose the sensitive center of the tooth even when the dog keeps eating. Discoloration, a missing piece, swelling below the eye or chewing on one side needs a veterinary dental examination.
How many teeth do puppies have?
Puppies normally have 28 deciduous teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines and 12 premolars. They do not have deciduous molars. Those sharp first teeth begin erupting in the first weeks of life. Permanent teeth then replace them over several months.
| Approximate stage | What may be happening |
|---|---|
| About 3 to 6 weeks | Deciduous teeth erupt |
| About 3 to 4 months | Baby teeth begin to loosen and permanent incisors start appearing |
| About 4 to 6 months | Canines and premolars change; permanent molars erupt |
| About 6 to 7 months | Most dogs have their complete adult set |
Timing varies. You may find a tiny tooth on the floor, but puppies often swallow baby teeth harmlessly while eating. A small spot of blood on a toy can occur during teething. Heavy bleeding, facial swelling, refusal to eat or obvious pain is different and needs veterinary attention.
Normal teething vs a dental problem
Normal teething may include extra chewing, mild gum sensitivity and the occasional small blood spot. Offer flexible puppy-safe chew items sized to prevent swallowing and rotate them before they are damaged. Do not freeze a toy until it becomes rock hard.
Book an examination for a “double tooth,” a permanent tooth erupting in an unusual direction, a broken tooth, persistent bad odor, swelling or difficulty eating. The earlier a retained tooth or abnormal bite is assessed, the more options the veterinary team may have to protect the adult mouth.
What is the Triadan dog dental numbering system?
Veterinary dental teams commonly use the modified Triadan system so each tooth has a three-digit number. For permanent teeth, the first digit identifies the quadrant:
- 100 series: upper right
- 200 series: upper left
- 300 series: lower left
- 400 series: lower right
The next two digits identify the tooth's position from the midline. For example, 104 is the upper-right canine, 204 is the upper-left canine, 304 is the lower-left canine and 404 is the lower-right canine. Deciduous quadrants use the 500, 600, 700 and 800 series.
A dental chart records more than missing teeth. It can document plaque, calculus, gingivitis, periodontal pockets, mobility, fractures, wear, resorption, treatment and X-ray findings. That record makes changes easier to compare over time.
What if an adult dog has fewer than 42 teeth?
A dog may have fewer teeth because a tooth never developed, failed to erupt, was fractured, was lost to disease or was extracted. Looking in the mouth cannot always distinguish those possibilities. An unerupted tooth can remain hidden in bone and, in some cases, be associated with a cyst. Intraoral dental X-rays are the reliable way to assess the root and surrounding structures.
Small and short-nosed dogs do not simply “need fewer teeth.” They may have the same normal count packed into less jaw space, so crowding and rotation are common. Crowding can trap plaque and make home cleaning harder.
Retained puppy teeth
A retained deciduous tooth remains after its permanent replacement has erupted. The canine teeth are frequent sites. Two teeth occupying one position can crowd the mouth, trap debris and alter the bite. Ask the veterinarian to examine any “double tooth,” especially around the time of spay or neuter. Do not try to pull it at home.
Can a dog's teeth tell you their age?
Teeth can help estimate a young puppy's stage because eruption follows a general sequence. After the permanent set is present, tooth wear, calculus and staining are influenced by diet, chewing, genetics, home care, jaw shape and disease. A dental appearance cannot provide an exact birthday for an adult dog.
Should you count your dog's teeth at home?
You can become familiar with the visible front and side teeth during calm cooperative handling, but there is no need to force a complete count. Lift one section of lip, look briefly and reward. Stop if the dog freezes, pulls away, growls or appears painful. Fingers should never be placed between the back teeth.
A home count cannot show roots, bone, periodontal pockets or an unerupted tooth. If a tooth seems missing, duplicated, fractured, loose or discolored, photograph the area only if the dog is comfortable and arrange an examination. The dental team can compare the mouth with a chart and use X-rays when needed.
Signs a tooth or gum problem needs a vet
- Bad breath that persists
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- A fractured, loose, discolored or missing tooth
- Dropping food, chewing on one side or refusing hard food
- Pawing at the mouth or resisting face handling
- Facial swelling or discharge near the eye or jaw
- A baby tooth sitting beside its adult replacement
Dogs often continue eating despite dental pain. Do not wait for complete refusal to eat. If the gums look unusual, compare them with our guide to healthy dog gum color and emergency changes.
How to care for 42 adult teeth
Daily brushing with dog toothpaste is the most reliable home habit for plaque control. Start with short sessions and reward calm cooperation. Lift the lip rather than forcing the mouth wide open, and focus on the outer surfaces near the gumline.
Never use human toothpaste. Some human products contain ingredients that are unsuitable for swallowing, and xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. Avoid antlers, bones, hard nylon and other objects that do not bend; they can fracture teeth.
Finch & Barker dog dental-care products can support a home routine. Our Cool Mint Dog Dental Spray is an adjunct, not a substitute for brushing, professional examination or treatment of periodontal disease. Read how plaque and calculus differ in our guide to dog tartar and plaque care.
A complete professional dental assessment may require anesthesia, probing and full-mouth intraoral X-rays. An awake visual check cannot reveal every painful problem below the gumline.
What happens during a professional dental assessment?
The veterinarian first considers the dog's general health and anesthesia plan. Under anesthesia, the team can examine every surface, probe around each tooth, chart abnormalities and take intraoral X-rays. Scaling removes plaque and calculus above and below the gumline, and polishing smooths microscopic roughness after cleaning.
X-rays can reveal root disease, bone loss, an unerupted tooth, a retained root or damage beneath a fracture. A diseased tooth may need extraction or another treatment. The team should provide recovery instructions, pain control and a plan for restarting home care after the mouth has healed.
Frequently asked questions
How many teeth does an adult dog have?
Most adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth: 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower jaw.
How many teeth does a puppy have?
A puppy normally has 28 deciduous teeth. These include incisors, canines and premolars but no deciduous molars.
When do puppies lose their baby teeth?
The change usually begins around 3 to 4 months, and most permanent teeth are present by about 6 to 7 months. Timing varies by puppy.
Is it normal for an adult dog to lose teeth?
No. Adult tooth loss is not a normal feature of healthy aging. Trauma and periodontal disease are common explanations and need veterinary assessment.
Do small dogs have fewer teeth?
No. Their normal adult count is still 42, although teeth may be missing or crowded in an individual. Smaller jaw space can increase crowding and dental-care needs.
Trusted veterinary sources
- American Veterinary Dental College: Triadan tooth numbering
- American Animal Hospital Association: dental-care guidelines summary
- American Veterinary Dental College: canine dental chart examples
This article is educational and does not replace a veterinary oral examination or dental X-rays. Facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, severe mouth pain or inability to eat needs prompt veterinary care.