What teeth in a dog do not change? - briefly
The permanent teeth in a dog, which typically erupt between 3 to 7 months of age, are the teeth that do not change. Once these teeth come in, they remain with the dog for the rest of its life, assuming proper dental care and health.
What teeth in a dog do not change? - in detail
In canine dentition, the permanent teeth that emerge in adult dogs replace the deciduous teeth, which are the temporary teeth present in puppies. However, there are specific teeth in a dog's mouth that do not undergo this replacement process. These are the molars located at the back of the jaw. Unlike the incisors, canines, and premolars, which are initially present as deciduous teeth and later replaced by permanent ones, the molars are only present in their permanent form. This is because puppies do not have deciduous molars; these teeth erupt directly as permanent teeth.
The molars in dogs are crucial for their chewing and grinding functions. They are designed to handle the mechanical breakdown of food, which is essential for digestion. The permanent molars in dogs typically erupt between the ages of 4 to 7 months, depending on the breed and individual development. There are three types of molars in dogs:
- The first molars (M1) are the most anterior (front) molars and are usually the first to erupt.
- The second molars (M2) follow, and in the lower jaw, there is also a third molar (M3), which is the most posterior molar.
The absence of deciduous molars means that these permanent molars do not go through the shedding process that other teeth do. This makes them a permanent fixture in the dog's mouth from the time they erupt. Proper dental care is essential to maintain the health of these molars, as they are subject to wear and tear from chewing and can be prone to dental diseases if not properly cared for. Regular veterinary check-ups and a balanced diet can help ensure the longevity and health of a dog's permanent molars.