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The Dog Tooth, The Cat Tooth

Dogs have 28 baby, or deciduous teeth and 42 permanent teeth.

The dog’s baby teeth are balanced so there are 14 in the upper jaw, and 14 in the lower jaw. The adult dog adds another premolar to the upper and lower jaw, two molars to the upper jaw and one molar to the lower jaw—increasing the teeth by 7 to each side or 14 overall. Permanent teeth erupt earlier in large breed dogs than in small breed dogs.

Cats have 26 baby, or deciduous teeth and 30 permanent teeth.

The cat’s baby teeth have three premolars on the upper jaw and only 2 premolars on the lower jaw. This arrangement continues in the adult, but the adult cat adds a molar upper and lower jaw behind these premolars—increasing the teeth by 2 on each side, or 4 overall.

How to tell a puppy’s age by its teeth
Dog's Incisors	Age at eruption of permanent teeth
Central incisors	2-5 months
Intermediate incisors	2-5 months
Corner incisors	4-5 months

Canine	5-6 months

Premolars
1st premolar	4-5 months
2nd premolar	6 months
3rd premolar	6 months
4th premolar	4-5 months

Molars
1st molar	5-6 months
2nd molar	6-7 months
3rd molar	6-7 months

Dog Permanent Dentition and the Number of Roots
Lower Jaw or Mandible	Dog tooth	Roots
Incisors	1st, 2nd, 3rd	1
Canines	1	1
Premolars	1st	1
Premolars	2nd, 3rd, 4th	2
Molars	1st, 2nd	2
Molars	3rd	1 or 2
Upper Jaw or Maxilla	Dog tooth	Roots
Incisors	1st, 2nd, 3rd	1
Canines	1	1
Premolars	1st	1
Premolars	2nd, 3rd	2 (3rd may also have 3 roots)
Premolars	4th	3
Molars	1st, 2nd	3

Cat Permanent Dentition and the Number of Roots
Lower Jaw or Mandible	Cat tooth	Roots
Incisors	1st, 2nd, 3rd	1
Canines	1	1
Premolars	1st, 2nd	Not present
Premolars	3rd, 4th	2
Molars	1st	2
Upper Jaw or Maxilla	Cat tooth	Roots
Incisors	1st, 2nd, 3rd	1
Canines	1	1
Premolars	1st	Not present
Premolars	2nd	1
Premolars	3rd	2 or 3
Premolars	4th	3
Molars	1st	1 or 2

The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians

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Fact or Fiction?
Is a dog's mouth's cleaner than a human's?

This myth developed because dogs lick their wounds and the wounds heal quickly. Licking increases blood flow and removes debris, but not because your pet's mouth is free of bacteria.

The truth is that dogs carry bacteria in their mouths the same as humans do. Some of these bacteria only grow in dogs and won't infect humans, other bacteria will. And dogs can transmit parasites especially if they have been licking their bottoms. Should you kiss your canine? Go ahead. Just brush its teeth and keep it free of parasites.

C.E.T. Toothpaste

C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit For Dogs and Cats

Enzymatic Toothpaste with Toothbrush

This information is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet.

The information about medications is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian.

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