Puppy Teeth: Are They as Sharp as You Think?
Puppies are known for their playful antics and adorable features. While this endears them to you as a puppy owner, it’s all fun and games until their ‘canine’ side jumps out. It’s almost always only a matter of time, and when this happens, one aspect of puppy behaviour that often surprises new pet parents is how sharp and pointy their teeth are.
To say that they are “sharp as razors” would be spot-on. And since the only thing worse than a playful pup is a playful pup who has learnt how to use these guns, you need to be careful around them. Even more importantly, you must train them to sheath their gnashers.
So, if you wonder why they are so sharp and if or when they might stop being so sharp, read on to unpack your puppy’s teeth anatomy, and the reason for this sharpness.
How Puppy Teeth Develops
Puppies are born without teeth. This makes nursing easier for both the mother and her pups. At first, it’s harmless, but things start to take a negative turn when it begins to grow.
The first set of teeth (deciduous or baby teeth) begins to sprout (at around 2 to 3 weeks of age). By 8 to 10 weeks, a puppy must have developed a complete set of 28 deciduous teeth. These teeth include 12 incisors, four canines, and 12 premolars, all designed to help puppies chew food as they transition from nursing to solid food.
As you already know, these teeth are razor-sharp, and will stay in place till the permanent teeth emerge at about 4-5 months of age. When the permanent teeth eventually pop out, the teeth add up to a full-fledged 42 set of pearly whites, including 4 canines, 12 incisors, 10 molars, and 16 premolar teeth.
Are Puppy Teeth Sharp (and Why?)
The short answer is yes. And you don’t have to look far to find out why — the anatomical structure of the teeth. A standout feature of the deciduous teeth are their very thin enamel and long roots. These make them particularly pointed and may cause discomfort when they nip or chew.
It helps them chew better and faster
Beyond what meets the eye, there is a biological reason for this sharpness in their teeth. This reason can be linked to an evolutionary adaptation that helps your pup consume food better and faster, especially when their jaws are not strong enough and do not pack enough crushing power.
It helps them wean from their mothers’ milk
Ideally, these baby teeth begin to fall out around 4-5 months as adult teeth start to erupt. This brings them under a category of mammals called altricial offsprings. Altricial offsprings are this way, as the females have shorter gestation periods, unlike precocial youngs (e.g., deers) who can move around freely to hunt shortly after their birth.
The gist is, the altricial offspring is pretty much tied to their mum’s aprong strings for a lengthy period after their birth. This leads them to free their mums to hunt and gather food on their behalf. Precocial offsprings, on the other hand, are quite different, in that they are self-sufficient enough to evade predators while hunting and gathering food for thier survival.
As altricial offsprings, they sometimes suckle on their mum’s breast for too long, which comes with the risk of accidental bites as they grow their baby teeth. When this happens, the mother’s instinctive response would be to push the puppies away. This encourages the puppies to start eating solid food rather than surviving on their mother’s milk.
Help them learn and interact with the world
Another reason for this evolutionary adaption is that they are mostly born unable to hear or see. Believe it or not, your puppy’s teeth are one of the ways they explore the world. It helps teach them how to relate to people and play with other puppies.
For example, when you stop playing with them after they bite or nip at them, this is how they learn that nipping at you is a behaviour that you take exception to. And seeing that puppies like to please their owners, they learn to stop nipping.
The Teething Process
Much like us humans, teething is a natural process that involves transitioning from baby teeth to adult teeth. This phase can be uncomfortable and even painful for puppies. As they lose their baby teeth, they may exhibit behaviors such as increased chewing and nipping due to sore gums. Common signs of teething include:
Increased drooling
Chewing on furniture or toys
Occasional blood spots on chew toys
General irritability or restlessness
Most puppies will start losing their baby teeth around 3.5 months, with the process continuing until they are about 6 months old. During this time, one way you can offer care to them is to provide appropriate chewing options, keeping them calm and reducing discomfort.
Wrap Up
And there you have it! Puppy teeth are indeed sharp and could potentially harm you. But it remains crucial in their development as they transition from breast milk to solid food. is to ensure they don’t nip at you persistently using the techniques we’ve shared.
When you know how to use chew toys and monitor their dental health through regular vet visits, you can help your puppy navigate this challenging phase with ease. As your furry friend grows into adulthood with a full set of 42 permanent teeth, maintaining good oral hygiene will be essential for their overall health and well-being.
