How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have? A Complete Guide for Puppy and Adult Dog Owners

Ever caught your dog grinning at you and wondered, “How many teeth are actually in there?” You’re not alone. Whether you’ve just brought home a wriggly puppy or you’re a long-time dog owner who never thought to count, understanding your dog’s teeth is one of the most overlooked parts of keeping them healthy.

The short answer: puppies have 28 baby teeth, and adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth. But there’s a lot more to know — including when those teeth come in, what each type does, and how to make sure your dog keeps them for life.

Let’s walk through it all, in plain English.

How Many Teeth Do Puppies Have?

Puppies are born completely toothless. Those tiny needle-like teeth don’t start coming in until around 3 to 4 weeks of age, and by about 8 weeks, most pups have their full set of 28 baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth or milk teeth).

Here’s the breakdown of a puppy’s 28 teeth:

• 12 incisors (6 top, 6 bottom)
• 4 canines (2 top, 2 bottom)
• 12 premolars (6 top, 6 bottom)

Notice something? Puppies have no molars at all. Those only come in with the adult set. This is perfectly normal — their jaws are still too small to accommodate them.

The Teething Phase: What to Expect

Between 3 and 7 months, your puppy goes through teething as those baby teeth fall out and permanent ones push through. This is why your shoes, furniture legs, and socks seem to become chew toys overnight.

Signs your puppy is teething:

• Increased chewing on everything
• Slight drooling
• Sore or red gums
• Finding tiny teeth around the house (yes, this really happens!)
• Mild fussiness around eating hard food

Tip for UK, Canadian, and Australian owners: Vets across all three countries recommend offering chilled rubber chew toys during this phase. Avoid hard bones or antlers for puppies — their teeth are fragile and can chip more easily than you’d expect.

How Many Teeth Do Adult Dogs Have?

Once your dog is fully grown — usually by 6 to 7 months of age for most breeds — they should have a complete set of 42 permanent teeth.

Here’s how those 42 teeth are distributed:

One thing many people don’t realise: dogs have more teeth on the bottom jaw than the top. That extra pair of molars on the lower jaw is one of the little quirks of canine anatomy.

The Different Types of Dog Teeth (And What They Actually Do)

Each type of tooth in your dog’s mouth has a specific job. Understanding this helps you spot problems early.

Incisors — The Nibbling Teeth

These are the small, flat teeth at the very front of your dog’s mouth — 6 on top and 6 on the bottom. They’re used for:

• Grooming themselves (ever seen your dog nibble at a flea or mat?)
• Picking up small objects
• Scraping meat off a bone

If you notice your dog’s incisors wearing down faster than normal, it can be a sign of compulsive chewing or a dietary issue worth mentioning to your vet.

Canines — The Gripping Teeth

Those four long, pointed “fang” teeth are the canines. They sit next to the incisors and are arguably the most recognisable teeth in a dog’s mouth. Their job is to:

• Grip and hold onto objects
• Tear through tougher materials like meat or rope toys
• Act as a deterrent (they look intimidating for a reason)

Canines are the teeth most commonly broken in rough play or chewing on very hard objects. A cracked canine is a vet visit — don’t ignore it.

Premolars — The Shearing Teeth

Behind the canines sit the premolars — 8 on top and 8 on the bottom in adult dogs. These are designed to:

• Shear and slice food
• Help chew harder textures
• Break chunks of food into smaller pieces

This is the section of the mouth where food is really processed. If your dog tends to swallow food whole rather than chewing, it’s worth watching — it can cause digestive issues.

Molars — The Crushing Teeth

The molars sit right at the back of the jaw, and they do the heavy grinding work. Adult dogs have 4 on top and 6 on the bottom. They’re used for:

• Crushing hard food and kibble
• Breaking down bones and chews
• Final grinding before swallowing

Because they’re so far back, molars are often the hardest teeth to inspect — and the ones most likely to have hidden tartar build-up.

The Puppy-to-Adult Tooth Timeline

Here’s a simple, practical timeline so you know what to expect:

• 0–3 weeks: No teeth at all
• 3–8 weeks: All 28 baby teeth come in
• 3–4 months: Baby incisors begin falling out; adult incisors start coming in
• 4–5 months: Baby canines fall out; adult canines emerge
• 5–6 months: Premolars and molars come in (no baby molars — these are brand new)
• 6–7 months: All 42 adult teeth should be in place

If your dog reaches 7–8 months and still seems to have some baby teeth alongside adult ones, see your vet. Retained baby teeth are more common in small breeds and can cause crowding, misalignment, and gum problems.

What Causes Dogs to Lose Teeth?

Adult dogs shouldn’t lose teeth naturally. If your dog is missing teeth or you notice a tooth has fallen out, it’s almost always a sign of a problem.

The most common causes include:

• Periodontal (gum) disease — the number one cause of tooth loss in dogs. Bacteria build up under the gum line and slowly destroy the bone and ligaments holding teeth in place.
• Trauma — being hit by a car, rough play, or biting something extremely hard can break or knock out teeth.
• Tooth resorption — similar to what happens in cats, some dogs experience teeth that break down from the inside. It’s painful and often goes unnoticed until a vet checks.
• Retained baby teeth — if baby teeth don’t fall out properly, adult teeth grow in at odd angles and the whole mouth can become crowded and infected.

Is My Dog Missing a Tooth? Should I Worry?

Sometimes dogs are simply born with missing teeth — it’s called hypodontia and it’s not uncommon, especially in smaller breeds. A missing tooth by itself, if the dog is healthy and not in pain, isn’t always an emergency.

However, it’s worth having your vet check because:

• A “missing” tooth may actually be an impacted tooth hiding under the gum, which can become infected
• Missing teeth in show or breeding dogs can affect breed standards
• It can indicate underlying developmental issues in young dogs

When in doubt, ask your vet during the next routine check-up.

How to Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Healthy (Practical, Real-World Tips)

This is the part most articles gloss over — but it’s the most important. Here’s what actually works:

Brush Their Teeth (Yes, Really)

Daily brushing is the gold standard. Use a dog-specific toothpaste — never human toothpaste, which contains xylitol, a toxin for dogs. Enzymatic dog toothpastes (widely available at Pets at Home in the UK, PetSmart in Canada, and Petbarn in Australia) break down plaque even between brushings.

Start slow — let your puppy sniff and lick the toothpaste first, then gradually introduce the brush. Most dogs get used to it within a few weeks.

Dental Chews Are a Great Backup

If brushing is a battle, dental chews help reduce plaque mechanically. Look for the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal on the packaging — it means the product has been tested and actually works.

Choose the Right Diet

Dry kibble tends to scrape teeth slightly more than wet food, though this benefit is often overstated. What matters more is avoiding excessive sugary treats and making sure your dog’s overall diet is balanced.

Raw bones (specifically raw, never cooked) are popular in the UK, Australia, and Canada as natural tooth cleaners — but speak to your vet first, as they carry risks including bacterial contamination and choking.

Schedule Regular Vet Dental Checks

Even with good home care, most dogs benefit from a professional dental clean under anaesthetic every 1–3 years. This removes tartar build-up that brushing simply can’t reach, especially around the gum line and back molars.

Watch for Warning Signs

Book a vet appointment if you notice:

• Bad breath that’s gotten noticeably worse
• Bleeding gums
• Visible tartar (yellow/brown build-up at the gum line)
• Dropping food while eating
• Pawing at the mouth
• Loose or broken teeth

FAQ: Your Dog’s Teeth — Answered

Final Thoughts

Your dog’s teeth are far more than just a smile. They’re essential tools for eating, playing, and staying healthy — and they need regular care just like any other part of your dog’s body.

To recap: 28 baby teeth, 42 adult teeth, four different types, and a lifetime of proper care to keep them in good shape. Whether you’ve got a teething pup or a senior dog, starting good dental habits today makes a real difference.

When in doubt, your vet is always your best resource. A quick dental check at your next visit could catch something early and save your dog a lot of pain — and save you a much bigger vet bill down the road.

Your dog can’t brush their own teeth. But you can.

#. Related Articles:

1. How Long Does Teething Last for a Puppy?

2. Home Remedies for Dog Bad Breath?

3. Why Does My Dog’s Breath Smell Like Fish?