How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have? Complete Guide to Puppy and Adult Dog Teeth

If you've ever had a puppy chew through a shoe or found a tiny tooth on the carpet, you've probably wondered exactly how many teeth dogs have — and whether what's happening in their mouth is normal.

The short answer: adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth, while puppies are born with 28 baby teeth. Dogs go through two full sets of teeth in their lifetime, just like humans, except the process happens much faster — usually finishing before their first birthday.

In this guide, we'll break down exactly how many teeth dogs have at every stage, what each type of tooth does, whether breed size changes the count, and how to keep those 42 teeth healthy for life.

How Many Teeth Do Puppies Have?

Puppies are born toothless. Their first teeth, called deciduous or "milk" teeth, start pushing through the gums at around 3 to 4 weeks of age. By the time they're 6 to 8 weeks old, most puppies have a full set.

Puppies have 28 baby teeth in total, made up of:

• 12 incisors (front teeth used for nibbling and grooming)

• 4 canines (the pointed "fangs" used for gripping)

• 12 premolars (used for tearing and shearing food)

Unlike adult dogs, puppies don't have any molars — those only appear once the permanent teeth come in. This is one reason puppy chewing feels so relentless: their baby teeth are thin, sharp, and short-lived, and teething discomfort drives a lot of that gnawing behavior.

How Many Adult Teeth Do Dogs Have?

Between 3 and 6 months old, puppies begin losing their baby teeth as permanent adult teeth push through the gums and take their place. By around 6 to 7 months, most dogs have their full adult set.

Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth, broken down as follows:

Tooth TypeFunctionNumber in Adult DogsIncisorsNibbling, grooming, gripping small items12CaninesTearing, holding, defense4PremolarsShearing and cutting food16MolarsGrinding and crushing10Total42

That's 10 more teeth than the average adult human (32) and 14 more than a puppy's baby set. The extra molars are new additions — puppies never have molars, which is why the total jumps so significantly during the transition to adulthood.

How Many Sets of Teeth Do Dogs Get?

Dogs get two sets of teeth across their lifetime:

1. Deciduous (baby) teeth — 28 teeth that emerge around 3–4 weeks and typically fall out by 6 months.

2. Permanent (adult) teeth — 42 teeth that replace the baby set and are meant to last the dog's entire life.

Unlike baby teeth, adult teeth don't regrow if they're lost to injury or disease. That's part of why dental care matters so much once a dog reaches adulthood — there's no third set coming to bail them out.

Do Small Dogs Have Fewer Teeth?

This is one of the most common misconceptions in dog ownership. No — small dogs have the same number of teeth as large dogs. A Chihuahua and a Great Dane both end up with 42 adult teeth.

The difference is space, not quantity. Small and toy breeds have noticeably smaller jaws, but the same 42 teeth still have to fit inside them. This crowding is why small breeds are more prone to:

• Retained baby teeth (adult teeth erupting before the baby tooth falls out)

• Overcrowding and misalignment

• Faster plaque and tartar buildup

• Higher rates of periodontal disease

If you own a small breed, more frequent dental checkups aren't overkill — they're genuinely necessary because of how tightly packed those 42 teeth are.

What Each Type of Dog Tooth Actually Does

Understanding the job each tooth performs makes it easier to spot problems early.

Incisors sit at the very front of the mouth. Dogs use them for nibbling meat off bones, grooming their coat, and picking up small objects.

Canines are the long, pointed teeth on either side of the incisors. They're built for puncturing, gripping, and holding — a leftover trait from wild canine ancestors that relied on them to catch prey.

Premolars sit behind the canines and have jagged, blade-like edges designed to shear through meat and break down kibble.

Molars are the flat teeth at the very back of the mouth. Their job is grinding, and they only appear in the adult set — puppies skip this tooth type entirely.

Signs Your Puppy Is Teething

Teething typically runs from 12 weeks to around 6 months, and it's often uncomfortable. Watch for:

• Excessive chewing on furniture, toys, or hands

• Small blood spots on chew toys

• Mild drooling

• Red or swollen gums

• Reduced appetite for hard kibble

• Finding tiny teeth around the house (this is normal — most puppies swallow more baby teeth than owners ever find)

Offering appropriately sized chew toys and, if needed, a vet-approved teething aid can ease this stage considerably.

How to Care for Your Dog's Teeth

Since adult teeth are permanent, prevention is the most effective — and cheapest — form of dental care. Veterinary dentists generally recommend:

1. Brushing several times a week with dog-specific toothpaste (never human toothpaste, which can be toxic to dogs).

2. Dental chews or toys designed to reduce plaque mechanically.

3. Annual dental checkups, or twice yearly for small breeds and dogs prone to buildup.

4. Professional cleanings under veterinary supervision when tartar has hardened beyond what brushing can remove.

5. Watching for warning signs like bad breath, yellow-brown buildup, bleeding gums, or a dog pawing at its mouth — all of which warrant a vet visit.

Left untreated, dental disease doesn't stay in the mouth. It's been linked to infections that can affect the heart, kidneys, and liver, which is why routine dental care is considered a core part of overall canine health rather than a cosmetic extra.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many teeth does a dog have in total? An adult dog has 42 permanent teeth. A puppy has 28 baby teeth before they're replaced.

How many baby teeth do dogs have? Puppies have 28 deciduous (baby) teeth, which typically start falling out around 3–4 months of age.

How many teeth do small dogs have compared to large dogs? The same number — 42 adult teeth — regardless of breed size. Small breeds just have less jaw space to fit them.

At what age do dogs get all their adult teeth? Most dogs have their complete set of 42 adult teeth by around 6 to 7 months old.

Do dogs get a third set of teeth? No. Dogs only get two sets: baby teeth and permanent adult teeth. There is no natural third set if adult teeth are lost.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how many teeth dogs have — 28 as puppies, 42 as adults — is more than trivia. It helps you recognize normal teething behavior, understand why small breeds face more dental crowding, and know what to expect at every stage of your dog's development. Since a dog's permanent teeth have to last a lifetime, consistent brushing, chew toys, and regular vet checkups go a long way toward keeping all 42 of them healthy.