---
title: "How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have?"
description: "Adult dogs have 42 teeth; puppies have 28 baby teeth. UK guide to dental development, when puppy teeth fall out. See when to call your vet."
url: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/how-many-teeth-do-dogs-have-uk"
canonical: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/how-many-teeth-do-dogs-have-uk"
date_published: "2026-06-25"
date_modified: "2026-06-25"
source: "PETHEALTH+"
---

# How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have?

**Adult dogs have 42 teeth; puppies have 28 baby teeth.** Puppy teeth usually fall out from around 12 weeks, with full adult dentition by six to seven months. Retained baby teeth and dental disease are common UK vet concerns — see our [Dog dental care UK](/health/dog-dental-care-uk) guide for prevention.

## Adult dog teeth — 42 in total

According to the PDSA, a full **adult dog dentition** includes **42 permanent teeth**:

| Type | Upper jaw | Lower jaw | Role |
|------|-----------|-----------|------|
| Incisors | 6 | 6 | Nibbling and grooming |
| Canines | 2 | 2 | Holding and tearing |
| Premolars | 8 | 8 | Shearing food |
| Molars | 4 | 6 | Grinding |

That is **20 teeth upstairs** and **22 downstairs** — though owners rarely count them unless something is wrong.

## Puppy teeth — 28 baby teeth

Puppies are born without visible teeth. **Deciduous (baby) teeth** erupt from about **three weeks** and puppies have **28 baby teeth** in total — no molars at this stage.

### When puppy teeth fall out

From roughly **12–16 weeks**, baby teeth loosen as **permanent teeth** push through. You may find tiny teeth on the floor or notice your puppy chewing more.

By **six to seven months**, most dogs have their full **42 adult teeth**.

## Retained deciduous teeth

Sometimes a **baby tooth stays in place** when the adult tooth erupts beside it — most often the **canine (fang) teeth**. This causes:

- **Double teeth** in one spot
- **Tartar build-up** and crowding
- **Misalignment** of the bite

The PDSA advises asking your vet to check at **puppy vaccination visits**. Retained baby teeth often need **surgical removal** under anaesthesia when neutering — delaying removal can worsen dental disease.

## Signs of dental problems

Dental disease affects most UK dogs over three years old. Watch for:

- **Bad breath** — see [Dog bad breath causes](/health/dog-bad-breath-causes)
- **Yellow-brown tartar** on teeth
- **Red or bleeding gums**
- **Dropping food** or chewing on one side
- **Pawing at the mouth**
- **Reluctance to play with toys**

Painful mouths reduce quality of life — dogs often eat through dental pain until disease is advanced.

## Caring for your dog's teeth

- **Brush daily or several times weekly** with dog-specific toothpaste — never human toothpaste (xylitol is toxic)
- Book **annual dental checks** from age one
- Use **dental diets or chews** your vet recommends — not all marketed products work
- Avoid **hard bones and antlers** that fracture teeth — a common UK emergency

See our full guide: [Dog dental care UK](/health/dog-dental-care-uk).

## Broken or missing teeth

Contact your vet if:

- A tooth **breaks** — exposes painful nerve tissue
- A tooth is **knocked out** after trauma
- An adult tooth is **missing** with no history of extraction
- Your dog **will not eat** or yelps when eating

## Related guides

- [Dog dental care UK](/health/dog-dental-care-uk)
- [Dog bad breath causes](/health/dog-bad-breath-causes)
- [Puppy care UK](/health/puppy-care-uk)
- [Can I give my dog paracetamol UK](/health/can-i-give-my-dog-paracetamol-uk) — never use human painkillers for dental pain

## FAQs

### How many teeth does an adult dog have?

Healthy adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth — 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower jaw. This includes incisors, canines, premolars and molars.

### How many teeth do puppies have?

Puppies have 28 deciduous (baby) teeth, which usually start falling out from around 12 weeks as adult teeth erupt. All permanent teeth are typically in place by six to seven months.

### When should I worry about my puppy's teeth?

See your vet if baby teeth do not fall out when adult teeth come through (retained deciduous teeth), if a tooth breaks, or if your puppy has difficulty eating or bad breath.

### How do I look after my dog's teeth?

Brush with dog toothpaste, offer dental chews your vet recommends, and book annual dental checks. Dental disease is common in UK dogs and causes pain and bad breath.

## Sources

- [PDSA — Dental disease in dogs](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub)
- [Blue Cross — Dog dental care](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice)
- [BVA — Pet dental health](https://www.bva.co.uk)

Canonical HTML: https://pethealth.org.uk/health/how-many-teeth-do-dogs-have-uk
Last modified: 2026-06-25