Dog’s teeth differ so much in appearance and structure compared to ours. Interestingly though, we humans share similar dental features with our furry buddies.
Human teeth vs. Dog teeth
Dogs have 42 teeth in total, which is 10 times more than the number of teeth humans have. But like us, a dog’s teeth can be categorized into four types: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
Incisors:
- Humans have 8 incisors that we use to bite on our food
- Dogs have 12 incisors that they use to rip off meat from the bone. Dogs also use their incisors to groom themselves and get rid of fleas, mites and other foreign objects on their skin and coat.
Canines:
- Humans have 4 canines which help us tear food apart.
- Like humans, dogs have 4 canines too, but they’re mainly used to puncture things.
Premolars:
- Our 8 premolars are mainly flat with a few sharp tips. These are used to chew our food.
- Dogs, on the other hand, have 12 premolars, which are used for shearing or cutting food.
Molars:
- Including wisdom teeth, humans have a total of 12 molars, which are used to grind food into finer pieces.
- Our dogs have 10 molars, which serve the same function as human molars – to grind food.
Oral health issues
Gum-related infections are one of the most common dental health problems in both humans and dogs.
In fact, according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 50% of adults aged 30 and up have gum-related issues. Likewise, about 80% of dogs develop signs of gum disease by the age of 3.
Gum problems may eventually lead to periodontal disease, an infection that affects structures that hold a tooth in place. In severe cases, bacteria from periodontal disease can affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and may even lead to diseases related to the heart or lungs.
Caring for your dog’s oral health
Dogs need to have their teeth brushed and cleaned every day using a soft bristle toothbrush and a dog-specific toothpaste that contains no fluoride.
At first, it can be difficult to get your dog accustomed to having his teeth and gums touched, but it will all be worth it if he can avoid developing oral problems. Be gentle while brushing his teeth though, to avoid gum scratching and bleeding.
Also, it helps to feed your dog with crunchy kibbles that can gently scratch on the surface of his teeth and remove food buildup.
Choose dog food brands, like Wishbone Pet Foods’ gourmet-artisan dog food recipes, that are made in small batches to ensure its freshness and the quality of the kibbles’ texture.
Wishbone’s grain-free recipe is made with high-quality ingredients from New Zealand family farms, including free-range proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables and aromatic herbs.
This unique blend of the freshest ingredients gives off a nice aroma and bursts with flavors that your dogs will love.
Discover Wishbone’s selection of gourmet dog food recipes.
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