Your dog’s tongue plays an important role in their daily life. From eating and drinking to regulating body temperature and more, a dog uses their tongue in many ways. But what exactly allows a dog’s tongue to function properly? The answer lies in their teeth.
A dog’s teeth hold their tongue in place within their mouth. Without teeth to keep the tongue anchored down, it could slide back into the throat and cause breathing issues. Understanding how a dog’s teeth interact with their tongue gives helpful insight into canine anatomy and oral health.
Anatomy of a Dog’s Mouth
A dog’s mouth contains many structures that allow it to eat, drink, and vocalize. The main components are the teeth, tongue, gums, lips, cheeks, and palate (roof of the mouth) (Source 1).
Dogs have a total of 42 teeth, with incisors at the front to grip food, pointed canines, premolars to tear and shred, and molars to crush and grind (Source 2). The tongue is muscular and helps to manipulate food and lap up water and liquids. It also plays a role in panting to cool down.
The gums and mucous membranes lining the mouth provide protection and help hold the teeth in place. The lips cover the teeth and gums when the mouth is closed, while the cheeks make up the sides of the oral cavity.
The hard and soft palate separate the mouth from the nasal passages and throat, allowing dogs to breathe while eating.
Canine Teeth
Dogs have four canine teeth, two on the top jaw and two on the bottom jaw. The canine teeth are the large, pointed teeth located just behind the incisors. They are also known as fangs or cuspids. The upper canines are slightly larger and longer than the lower canines.
Canine teeth are cone-shaped and are designed for gripping, holding onto prey, and tearing meat. They serve an essential function in allowing dogs to capture and kill prey as well as tear meat from bones. The sharp, pointed cusps of the canine teeth penetrate deeply into flesh. Their roots sink deeply into the jaws, anchoring the teeth in place. This provides dogs with an extremely strong bite.
In puppies, the deciduous (baby) canine teeth erupt around 3-4 weeks of age. They are smaller, whiter, and more delicate than the permanent adult canine teeth. At around 4 months old, the adult canine teeth will begin pushing out the deciduous teeth. By about 6 months of age, the adult canine teeth are fully erupted and in place [1].
Incisors
Dogs have six small, chisel-shaped incisor teeth on the top and bottom of their mouths (Wikipedia). The incisors are located at the very front of the mouth, between the canine teeth. They have a sharp biting edge that allows dogs to nip and bite.
The primary purpose of incisors is to help dogs grip objects and food. Dogs use their top and bottom incisors to pick up objects, cut food, and tear meat from bone. The incisors bite against each other in a scissors-like action.
Since incisors are the smallest teeth in a dog’s mouth, they are the most prone to breaking or wearing down. It’s common for adult dogs to have lost one or more incisors or to have worn them down to stubs.
Premolars and Molars
The dog has 16 premolars and 10 molars – four premolars and two molars in each quadrant of the mouth, starting from both sides of the incisors (Purina, 2023). The premolars are situated between the canines and molars. They have a flatter surface than the pointed canines and are used for holding, tearing, and grinding food.
The molars are located furthest back in the mouth and have a completely flat surface for grinding food before swallowing. Both the premolars and molars play an important role in chewing and breaking down food into small pieces that can be easily digested.
The premolars and molars are wider than the incisors and canines. Their flattened surfaces and ridges are ideal for grinding, crushing and chewing food. As dogs age, these teeth are prone to heavy tartar buildup and are difficult to keep clean.
How the Teeth Keep the Tongue In
The positioning and shape of a dog’s teeth play an important role in keeping their tongue inside the mouth. The front teeth, known as incisors and canines, create a cage-like barrier that prevents the tongue from falling out of the front of the mouth. The incisors have a shovel-like shape with a scooped interior surface that cups the tongue, while the canines have a pointed shape that digs into the sides of the tongue if it tries to slip past.
In the back of the mouth, the premolars and molars act like speed bumps or guard rails to block the tongue from sliding out. These teeth have rounded lobes and multiple peaks that press up against the surface of the tongue. Their textured surfaces grip the tongue to keep it anchored down.
Additionally, the upper and lower jaws tightly fit together to close off the sides of the mouth. With teeth lining both the upper and lower jaws, there is no open gap for the tongue to slide through (1). The only opening is in the front, which is secured by the incisors and canines.
Overall, the interlocking rows of teeth, with their shapes and positioning, box the tongue into the mouth cavity while allowing enough room for mobility. This prevents the tongue from escaping while enabling dogs to use it for eating, drinking, and panting.
(1) https://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/pet-health/structure-and-function-of-the-tongue-teeth-and-mouth-in-dogs
Problems When Teeth are Missing
Missing teeth can cause a number of problems for dogs. According to https://wagwalking.com/condition/loss-of-teeth, when dogs lose teeth, their tongues can protrude or fall out of their mouths more easily. This happens because the teeth help keep the tongue held in place inside the mouth. Without enough teeth, the tongue is not properly supported.
Another issue that can occur if teeth are damaged or missing is difficulty eating. Dogs use their teeth to chew and break down food. Missing teeth, especially molars, can make it harder for a dog to properly chew their food. They may end up swallowing larger chunks that are more difficult to digest. According to https://wagwalking.com/symptom/why-is-my-dog-missing-teeth, missing teeth and dental issues are one of the most common medical problems for senior dogs.
Furthermore, bacteria and infection can gather in the open spaces where teeth are missing. This can lead to dental disease and other oral health issues if not properly treated. Keeping the mouth clean when teeth are missing is important.
Caring for Your Dog’s Teeth
Regular dental care is important for keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Here are some tips:
- Brush your dog’s teeth daily or several times a week using dog toothpaste. This helps remove plaque and tartar buildup (AKC).
- Provide dental chews and treats made to reduce tartar. Look for the VOHC seal from the Veterinary Oral Health Council (AKC).
- Feed dry kibble instead of wet food, which helps scrape off tartar as the dog chews (AKC).
- Schedule annual dental cleanings at your vet to deep clean below the gumline (AKC).
- Monitor your dog’s breath, gums, and teeth for signs of dental disease.
With proper preventative dental care, you can help your dog maintain good oral health and avoid serious dental problems.
When to See the Vet
There are several symptoms that indicate your dog may have a dental issue that requires veterinary attention. These include:
- Bad breath – Persistent bad breath or halitosis can signify an infection or advanced periodontal disease.
- Difficulty eating – If your dog is dropping food, reluctant to eat hard food, or chewing only on one side, it may have a painful dental issue.
- Pawing at the mouth – Pawing at the mouth can indicate tooth pain, oral discomfort or a foreign object stuck in the mouth.
- Loose or discolored teeth – Loose, cracked, discolored or abscessed teeth need to be examined and possibly extracted.
- Bleeding from the mouth – Bleeding from the mouth or blood on toys/food may result from gum disease, fractured teeth or oral tumors.
- Facial swelling – Swelling on the face or jaw area may signal an infection like an abscess requiring antibiotics.
- Change in behavior – Unexplained behavior changes like aggression or anxiety could stem from dental pain and warrants an oral exam.
It’s recommended to have your vet thoroughly examine your dog’s teeth annually. Seek prompt veterinary care if you notice any of the above symptoms. Treatment may involve dental x-rays, cleaning, tooth extraction, antibiotics and pain medication.
Conclusion
To summarize, a dog’s teeth play an important role in keeping their tongue safely in their mouth. The canine teeth, incisors, premolars, and molars work together to keep the tongue in place and enable a dog to eat, drink, and pant properly. Keeping your dog’s teeth healthy through brushing and dental checks is essential to their comfort and wellbeing. Missing teeth can allow the tongue to slip out, causing pain and difficulty eating. By taking good care of your dog’s teeth, you can prevent common dental problems and help your furry friend live their best life.
In the end, a dog’s mouth is a complex structure that allows them to thrive. Their teeth may not seem as important as their adorable faces, but they serve key functions. With proper dental care, you can keep your dog’s tongue where it belongs and avoid complications. Don’t take your pup’s pearly whites for granted – make tooth brushing and checkups a regular routine. Your dog will thank you with plenty of sloppy kisses!
