There was a stray dog that saved its life from sepsis because its gums turned black and it was treated in time. And another dog, just because its owner didn't take it seriously, ended up losing all its teeth and couldn't even eat... These real cases are all reminding us that the health of a dog's teeth really cannot tolerate the slightest carelessness!

Understanding the structure and function of canine teeth is helpful for recognizing their physiological characteristics and health management. The condition of canine teeth is related to eating, daily behavior, health status and age. Observing and analyzing teeth can obtain relevant key information.

1. Judge a dog's age by its teeth

A dog's teeth are like a "book of life", on which their age information is recorded. Today, I'll teach you how to determine a dog's age by its teeth.

（1）Puppy stage (0-8 months)

When a puppy is born, it has no teeth. Around 20 days after birth, it starts to grow its milk incisors. By 4 to 6 weeks of age, all the milk incisors have come in. At this time, the dog has a total of 28 milk teeth. By the age of 2 months, all the baby teeth have come in, but they are very fragile and need to be taken good care of. Dogs aged 2 to 4 months enter the teething period. The first deciduous incisors are replaced by permanent teeth first. At 5 to 6 months, the second, third deciduous incisors and deciduous canines are replaced successively. Due to itchy teeth, dogs like to bite things. Owners can prepare teething sticks and other items to relieve their discomfort. After 8 months of age, the dog's permanent teeth have basically all come in, totaling 42. From then on, it can enjoy delicious food to its heart's content.

(2) Adulthood (1-7 years old)

A one-year-old dog has all its permanent teeth in place, is full of vitality and has a strong sense of curiosity. At the age of 1.5, the large peak of the mandibular first incisor wears down to be flush with the small peak. At the age of 2.5, the tip of the lower second incisor was worn out. At the age of 3.5, the apex of the first maxillary incisor was eroded. At the age of 4.5, the apex of the upper second incisor was eroded and the sharpness of the teeth decreased. At the age of five, the tip of the lower third incisor was slightly worn, and the worn surfaces of the lower first and second incisors became rectangular. At the age of six, the tip of the third incisor in the lower jaw was worn away, the canines were blunt and round, and the bite force decreased.

(3) Old Age (over 7 years old)

When a dog reaches the age of seven, it officially enters old age. At this time, their lower first incisors were worn more severely, having worn down to the root of the teeth, and the worn surface was in a longitudinal oval shape. Teeth are like city walls eroded by time, becoming more and more fragile. After the age of eight, the first lower incisors are worn and tilt forward, and the canines also start to fall out. Dogs may have difficulty eating and can't bite into many hard foods. At the age of 10, the worn surfaces of the second lower jaw and the first upper jaw incisors are longitudinally elliptical, and the situation of tooth loss may be more severe. Dogs over 16 years old may have lost their incisors and incomplete canine teeth. At this age, the dog is like an elderly person on the verge of death and needs more care and attention from its owner. Their diet should be softer and easier to digest, and their owners should also take better care of their oral health.

2. Observe a dog's diet from its teeth:

A dog's teeth are not just for eating. They are also a "barometer" of a dog's health and can reflect many health problems. Next, let's take a look together at the health code hidden behind a dog's teeth.

(1) Tooth wear and food hardness

The degree of wear and tear on a dog's teeth can reveal whether the food they usually eat is soft or hard. If a dog eats soft food for a long time, such as those wet canned foods, although they taste good and are easy to swallow, their effect on cleaning teeth will be very small. Soft food tends to adhere to the surface of teeth and is difficult to be completely removed by chewing. Over time, food residues will accumulate between the teeth. These residues are decomposed by microorganisms, which not only produce unpleasant bad breath but also gradually form tartar, like a stubborn layer of dirt tightly adhering to the teeth, seriously affecting dental health.

On the contrary, if dogs often eat hard food, such as dry dog food, teething sticks and the like, their teeth will get sufficient exercise. During the process of chewing hard food, the surface of the teeth is rubbed, which is like giving the teeth a natural cleaning. It can effectively reduce the formation of dental plaque and tartar, keeping the dog's teeth clean and healthy. However, it's not the case that the harder the better. If the food is too hard, such as some particularly hard bones, and the dog bites them too much, it may damage the enamel, just like putting on a perforated armor for the teeth, losing its protective effect and easily causing problems such as tooth sensitivity and pain.

(2) Dental problems affect appetite.

If there is a problem with a dog's teeth, its appetite will also be affected. Just imagine, when we ourselves have a toothache, don't we even lose our appetite for our favorite delicacies? It's the same with dogs. When a dog has tooth decay, small black holes appear on its teeth, and bacteria cause trouble inside. Every bite of food may stimulate the nerves and cause severe pain. There is also gingivitis, with red, swollen and bleeding gums that hurt when touched. The dog will feel very uncomfortable when eating.

These toothaches can make dogs very cautious about eating, and even lead to loss of appetite and picky eating. The dog food that I used to love to eat now just sniffs it and walks away. I have no interest in the snacks that I usually rush to eat. Some dogs will also suddenly stop when eating, scratch their mouths with their PAWS, or only eat soft food and avoid things that require hard chewing. At this point, the owner must pay close attention. The dog might not be being picky eaters; instead, its teeth are "protesting", reminding you that it is suffering! So, when you notice a decrease in your dog's appetite, it might be a good idea to carefully examine their teeth to see if there is a dental problem at play.

3. Daily care

Brushing teeth is the key to a dog's dental care. Just like humans, dogs need to brush their teeth regularly to keep their mouths clean. It is recommended to brush at least 2 to 3 times a week, and daily brushing is even better. Brushing a dog's teeth requires patience and skill.

First of all, you need to choose the right tools. You should use a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs. Do not use human toothpaste as it contains toxic components such as fluoride that are harmful to dogs. Dog toothpaste comes in a variety of flavors, which can make dogs more receptive to brushing their teeth. You can choose a fingertip toothbrush or a regular pet toothbrush with soft bristles. Before brushing your dog's teeth, let it get familiar with the smell of the toothbrush and toothpaste. For example, squeeze the toothpaste onto your finger for it to lick, and then slowly approach the toothbrush. When the dog doesn't resist, you can start brushing its teeth. Gently lift its lips and brush along the direction of the teeth, from the gums to the tips. Make sure to brush every surface of the teeth, and the movements should be gentle. If the dog is not cooperative, you can give it a small snack as a reward to help it develop a good habit of brushing its teeth.