How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have? Puppy & Adult Teeth Guide (Australia)

Most puppies have 28 baby teeth. A typical adult dog has 42 permanent teeth: 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower jaw. With around 7.4 million dogs in Australia (Animal Medicines Australia, Pets in Australia 2025), that is a lot of teeth to look after. The count is a useful map of the mouth, but it does not tell you on its own whether the teeth and gums are healthy – that comes down to daily care. The simplest daily habit we know is a sprinkle of Pure Majesty Pets Dog Dental Powder (A$72.00) on your dog's food.

The adult dog's 42 teeth, by type

Veterinary dental anatomy divides the permanent teeth into four groups:

• 12 incisors: the small front teeth used to pick up and nibble objects.
• 4 canines: the long, pointed teeth beside the incisors that help grip.
• 16 premolars: teeth behind the canines that help cut and hold food.
• 10 molars: the rear teeth used in crushing and chewing.

That adds up to 42, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual's dental anatomy reference. The upper jaw normally holds 20 teeth and the lower jaw 22. You do not need to identify every tooth to care for your dog, but knowing the groups makes it easier to describe a broken tooth or a change you notice when you ring your local vet clinic.

How many teeth does a puppy have?

The usual puppy set has 28 deciduous, or "baby", teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines and 12 premolars. Puppies do not have baby molars. Baby teeth begin to appear in the first weeks of life. Replacement usually starts around three to four months, and most permanent teeth are present by about seven months. So a puppy brought home in spring (September–November) will typically be mid-teething by summer and have its full adult set by autumn. These are typical ranges, not a timetable that diagnoses an individual puppy.

You may find a tiny tooth on the floor, or never see one come out. Watch the mouth instead of trying to count every lost tooth. A permanent tooth growing beside a baby canine can create a "double fang" appearance. A retained baby tooth can trap debris and alter the space available to the adult tooth; have your vet examine it rather than trying to pull it at home. Many Australian vets check this at the puppy vaccination visits, so mention it then.

Why can an adult dog have fewer or more than 42?

Some dogs have a tooth that never developed, one that has not erupted, or a tooth removed because of injury or disease. Less often, an extra tooth develops. Crowding can also make a tooth hard to see, particularly in a small mouth. An apparently missing tooth should not be dismissed automatically: a vet can decide whether an oral examination or dental X-rays are appropriate. A tooth count alone cannot distinguish a harmless variation from a hidden problem.

What the count means for daily dental care

Focus on comfort and clean tooth surfaces rather than a perfect number. Get your dog used to a gentle look at the lips and outer teeth, then build a brushing routine with dog-safe supplies. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association provides guidance for introducing toothbrushing, and the Australian Veterinary Association's pet-owner site Vet Voice and the RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase are good local references.

Brushing 42 teeth every day is where most routines come undone. That is exactly why we made Pure Majesty Pets Dog Dental Powder: a fine, kelp-green powder you sprinkle on food once a day – no brush, no wrestling match. It combines 12 named ingredients, including hydroxyapatite (15%, the same mineral as tooth enamel), Ascophyllum nodosum kelp (8%), SHMP (1%), zinc citrate (0.6%) and a GOX/LPO enzyme system (0.6%), to support fresher breath and help maintain clean teeth and healthy gums. Daily dose: 1 scoop (about 4 g) on food once a day, using the included scoop; follow the serving guide on the pack for your dog's weight in kg, and ease in over 7 days (25%, 50%, 75%, then the full dose). Store it in a cool, dry place – handy in a Queensland or northern NSW summer. It works alongside brushing and veterinary dental care rather than replacing them, and a painful tooth always needs a vet.

Competitor prices as listed on Pet Circle's dental care page on 7 October 2026; you will also find dental products at Petbarn, Petstock and PetO. Kelp-only powders cover one mechanism – Pure Majesty adds the enamel minerals and enzymes in the same scoop. Every batch is made in North America in a GMP facility with a certificate of analysis (COA), and as a nutritional supplement making no disease claims it sits in the APVMA's Excluded Nutritional or Digestive category. Free worldwide shipping — ships to Australia with duties and GST prepaid (DDP), nothing to pay on delivery.

If you are weighing home-care options, our best dog dental powder guide compares them by label and evidence, and how dental powder works explains what a powder can and cannot do. To understand what builds up on those 42 teeth, read dog tartar vs plaque; if you notice odour, dog bad breath covers causes and red flags.

Avoid very hard objects that could fracture teeth. Do not force the mouth open if your dog resists or seems sore. A vet can assess areas you cannot see, including below the gumline when needed.

When should a tooth prompt a veterinary check?

Arrange a check if you see a broken or discoloured tooth, swelling, bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, difficulty chewing, food dropping from the mouth, or a puppy tooth still next to an emerging adult tooth. Seek prompt advice if your dog has facial swelling, obvious pain or stops eating. Teeth can look normal above the gumline while trouble lies deeper; a visual count is not a substitute for an oral assessment by your vet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all dog breeds have 42 adult teeth?

Forty-two is the normal complete adult set regardless of breed, from a Chihuahua to an Australian Cattle Dog. Individual dogs may have missing, unerupted, removed or extra teeth. Small jaws can make crowding more noticeable, but breed alone does not change the standard dental formula.

Are dogs born with teeth?

No visible teeth are usually present at birth. The baby teeth erupt during the first weeks of life, then make way for permanent teeth over the following months.

Is it normal for a puppy to have two canine teeth side by side?

It can mean a baby canine remains while the adult canine erupts. Arrange an examination with your vet, especially if both teeth remain or the bite looks crowded. Do not try to remove the baby tooth yourself.

What is the easiest way to look after all 42 teeth?

Combine regular vet checks with a daily routine you can actually keep. Pure Majesty Pets Dog Dental Powder (A$72.00) is sprinkled on food once a day, with no brushing required, to support clean teeth and fresh breath. Free worldwide shipping — ships to Australia with duties and GST prepaid (DDP), nothing to pay on delivery.

Give all 42 teeth daily support

Knowing the count is step one; keeping those teeth clean is what matters. Add Pure Majesty Pets Dog Dental Powder to your dog's bowl today – 12 active ingredients, one scoop, zero brushing, delivered free to your door anywhere in Australia.

Veterinary sources

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Dental Development of Dogs
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Dentition and Dental Nomenclature
• VCA Animal Hospitals: Persistent Deciduous Teeth in Dogs
• WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines

This article is for informational purposes and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian before starting any supplement, especially if your dog is pregnant, nursing, on medication, or has a diagnosed condition.