Adult dogs typically have 42 permanent teeth: 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower jaw. Puppies have 28 deciduous, or baby, teeth and are born without visible teeth; replacement usually occurs between about 3½ and 7 months. An individual dog may have fewer or extra teeth because of development, injury, disease, or an extraction. A retained puppy tooth or an unexplained missing or loose adult tooth should be checked by a veterinarian.
How the adult total reaches 42
The standard adult count includes four kinds of teeth. Each has a different position and job, although chewing uses the mouth as a coordinated system rather than one tooth at a time.
| Tooth type | Total | Typical location and role |
|---|---|---|
| Incisors | 12 | Small front teeth used for nipping, scraping, and grooming |
| Canines | 4 | Long pointed teeth beside the incisors, used to grasp and tear |
| Premolars | 16 | Cheek teeth behind the canines that help shear and chew |
| Molars | 10 | Back teeth used mainly for crushing and grinding |
| Total | 42 | 20 upper teeth and 22 lower teeth |
Puppies have 12 incisors, four canines, and 12 premolars, for 28 deciduous teeth. They do not have deciduous molars. The permanent set adds four premolars and ten molars, producing the adult total.
When do puppies get and lose their teeth?
| Stage | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Birth | No visible teeth |
| Around 3 weeks | Deciduous teeth begin erupting through the gums |
| By about 6 weeks | The 28-tooth puppy set is usually present |
| Around 3½–4 months | Baby teeth begin to fall out as permanent teeth erupt |
| By about 6–7 months | Most dogs have their permanent set |
These ages are ranges, not appointment dates. Eruption timing can vary among individual dogs. It is also common not to find every shed puppy tooth because a puppy may swallow a small tooth without harm. What matters is whether the permanent teeth are erupting into an uncrowded, comfortable position.
If you enjoy animal development timelines, CurioBeacon also explains how long cats are pregnant and why an exact date still depends on professional assessment.
Why might a dog not have exactly 42 visible teeth?
A baby tooth may be retained
A retained deciduous tooth remains beside the permanent tooth that should replace it. It can look like two teeth occupying one position, especially around the canines. VCA notes that retained teeth can crowd the mouth, alter the permanent tooth’s position, trap debris, and increase the chance of dental problems. A veterinarian should assess it; do not try to pull it at home.
A permanent tooth may be missing or unerupted
A tooth can fail to develop, remain below the gumline, or erupt in an unusual position. You cannot distinguish those possibilities by looking at the gum alone. A veterinarian may use a complete oral examination and dental radiographs when a missing tooth needs investigation.
A tooth may have been fractured, lost, or extracted
An adult dog should not normally shed permanent teeth. A missing tooth may reflect prior veterinary treatment, trauma, or periodontal disease. A broken crown can also leave a root below the gumline, so a visible gap does not tell the whole story.
Some dogs have extra teeth
Supernumerary teeth are possible, just as congenital absence is possible. The practical question is not only the number but whether every tooth is correctly positioned, healthy, and free of painful contact with another tooth or soft tissue.
Can you count a dog’s teeth at home?
You can notice obvious front teeth or a possible double tooth, but a home count is unreliable. Premolars and molars extend far back, some crowns are small, and a painful dog may resist handling. Never force the mouth open or put fingers between the back teeth.
Instead, use this low-stress visual check when your dog is calm and comfortable:
- Lift the lip gently without prying the jaws apart.
- Look for two teeth in one position, a visibly broken tooth, or a new gap.
- Notice red or bleeding gums, swelling, heavy tartar, or worsening bad breath.
- Watch for dropping food, chewing on one side, pawing at the mouth, reduced appetite, or reluctance to play with toys.
- Arrange a veterinary examination for any concerning change, even if the total count seems normal.
Seek prompt veterinary care for facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, significant mouth trauma, or trouble eating or drinking. Dogs often continue eating despite oral pain, so appetite alone cannot rule out a dental problem.
How to protect the teeth a dog has
UC Davis veterinary guidance recommends introducing home care gradually and removing plaque with regular brushing. Use a soft brush intended for pets and toothpaste formulated for animals; human toothpaste is not designed to be swallowed by dogs. Begin with a few accessible outer surfaces and build a routine without force.
Home brushing does not replace veterinary oral examinations or professional treatment. Hardened calculus, disease below the gumline, fractured teeth, and unerupted teeth cannot be safely diagnosed or corrected with an at-home count. Ask your veterinary team how often your individual dog needs an oral exam and cleaning.
The useful number—and its limit
Forty-two is the typical adult dental formula, and 28 is the typical puppy count. Those numbers help explain development, but they do not certify that a mouth is healthy. Position, eruption, fractures, gums, bone support, and comfort all matter. If the count changes after puppy teething or something looks wrong, a veterinary examination is more useful than recounting.
Browse more evidence-based explainers in the CurioBeacon article library, and see the site’s Sources & Review policy.
Sources
- Companion Animal Trivia: How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have? — University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Persistent Deciduous Teeth (Baby Teeth) in Dogs — VCA Animal Hospitals.
- Dental Care — UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
- How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have, and Can They Lose Them? — PetMD.
