How many teeth do Chihuahuas have? An understanding of this fact can help you take better care of your puppy and adult Chihuahua’s oral health.
You must give importance to your dog’s dental health, as much as your own. Your Chi’s oral hygiene and daily care is extremely important especially since the breed is prone to many dental health problems.
Just like human babies, puppy Chihuahuas begin with temporary teeth that fall off to pave way for permanent adult teeth.
But Chihuahuas are prone to some serious dental troubles, so many adult Chis end up losing their teeth by the time they reach their senior age.
In this guide, we will study all about Chihuahuas’ teeth: how many teeth they have in total, the reasons why they lose their teeth, as well as the steps you can take for better oral health care of your pet.
Also Read: How to Care for Chihuahua – The Complete Guide
How Many Teeth do Chihuahuas Have?
Let us divide this into puppy and adult Chi teeth.
Puppy Chihuahua Teeth
Your puppy has 28 baby teeth.
First teeth (3-6 weeks of age)
These baby teeth start to come in once your pupper is about 3 weeks of age. These are incisor teeth which you can see on the upper and lower jaws.
There are 6 incisors on the top and 6 on the lower jaw.
Following these are 4 canines in total – 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom jaw.
Your pup’s premolars will develop around 3-6 weeks of age as well, and they are right behind the canines.
Your Chi has 3 premolars on the top and 3 on the bottom.
It is important that all the baby teeth are in place by the time your Chihuahua is 8 weeks old.
Since puppy teeth are very sharp, dams start weaning off their pups once they are 5 weeks of age.
Falling teeth (8-24 weeks)
Once your Chihuahua is about 2 months of age (8 weeks old), its adult teeth will start pushing out the baby teeth.
Here is the sequence of how your puppy’s baby teeth will fall out:
- 12-16 weeks of age – the incisors fall
- Around 16th week, the canines fall off.
- At 24 weeks, the molars will start to fall off.
By the time your Chi is 8 months old, all 42 permanent teeth are all in.
It is very important that you get all the baby teeth out – sometimes, they tend to remain inside and can make your puppy’s gums very sore. This can even cause your young pet a significant amount of pain if the tooth remains impacted.
So, please see your vet if your puppy’s baby teeth linger longer than 30 weeks.
Adult Chihuahua Teeth
A fully grown adult Chihuahua has four types of teeth.
In all, a Chihuahua will have 42 teeth, 20 in the superior or upper jaw and 22 in the inferior or lower jaw.
Evolution has made it necessary for dogs to have these many teeth as it helps them survive in the wild.
Domesticated dogs also need the different sets of teeth since they are primarily carnivores.
Here is a breakdown of an adult Chihuahua teeth types:
Incisors
There are six incisors in the upper and lower jaw in the front part of the mouth.
The central incisors are smaller and weaker while the corner ones are sharper, stronger, and longer as well.
Each incisor has a cutting edge with three lobes.
The middle one is large and prominent and forms the top of the tooth, while the lateral are cut from the side to form a flower-like shape that gets obliterated with time due to wear and tear.
Canines
The canine teeth are also called tusks and they are four in number.
The upper tusks are stronger than the lower ones and separated from the corner incisors by a space which received the lower tusks when the jaws are together.
The tusks are pointed and sharp to enable your pet to hold and tear stuff.
Upper Jaw Molars
Your Chi also has twelve molars in the upper jaw, six on each side.
The first three molars are small and pointed and known as false molars. The next tooth adjacent to the false molar has two cutting lobes and the two others called true molars are flat on the crown for crushing.
Lower Jaw Molars
There are fourteen molars on the lower jaw, seven on each side.
The first are false molars, the fifth is flat while the last two are true molars with barrel-shaped crowns.
As you can see, your adult Chihuahua has a lot of teeth.
That is why, it is very important that you take care to brush all of them well.
Also Read: Chihuahua Puppy Vaccinations – Everything You Need to Know
How to Help Your Chihuahua Puppy’s Sore Gums During Teething?
When your puppy Chi’s teeth start falling, it will feel the urge to bite and chew on stuff all the time. Here are the steps you can take to help your puppy during this period:
Provide plenty of toys
It is a good idea to provide plenty of chew toys and hard treats to your pet at this time.
This will help your puppy satisfy its chewing action and even soothe those irritated gums.
It is okay if your puppy eats a little less during this time. Provide it with some rawhide or milk bones that it can gnaw on to save your furniture.
Find out vets have to say about Are Milk Bones Bad for Dogs.
Chew toys and dental treats can also help soothe irritated and sore gums. Check out our guides on Best Dental Chews for Chihuahua and Best Toys for Chihuahua Puppies as well.
Start a dental cleaning routine right from puppyhood
Even though your puppy still has impermanent teeth it is important that you clean them regularly.
This will also get him used to a dental cleaning routine.
Use a gentle wash cloth or a special baby/puppy toothbrush to clean its gums and teeth after every meal.
Check out our guide on the Best Toothbrush for Chihuahua
Why Do Chihuahuas Lose Their Teeth? Common Dental Issues That Cause Tooth Loss
As stated before, it is normal, important even, for puppy Chihuahuas to lose all their baby teeth.
But if you start noticing dental loss in your adult dog, then the following reasons may be the culprits:
A. Your pet might be gnawing on hard stuff/treats
Are you giving very hard dental treats to your pet?
Sometimes, delicate dog breeds tend to have delicate teeth and they cannot withstand hard treats like other breeds can.
Avoid feeding very hard dog dental treats like antlers, marrow bones, etc.
These could cause trauma to your pet’s delicate teeth.
B. Your Chihuahua might have received a blow on its mouth
Another reason behind inexplicable tooth loss may be a knock on your pet’s delicate mouth.
Your Chi might have accidentally bumped or fallen on a hard surface.
This can cause chipped or dislodged teeth.
Have your vet examine your pet right away.
C. Gum disease
This is one of the most common causes behind Chihuahuas’ tooth loss.
Many Chis develop gum disease or periodontal disease. It is estimated that nearly 87% of all dogs develop gum disease and Chihuahuas happen to be one of the seven dog breeds most prone to this disease.
The signs of gum disease include:
- Gum swelling, receding gums, bleeding or redness – this can cause facial swelling as well.
- Loose or missing or broken teeth.
- Foul breath
- Constant pawing at the face and jaws
- Lack of appetite
- Inability to eat hard foods
- Excess salivation
- Weight loss
- If left untreated, gum disease can even lead to heart disease, weak liver, kidney disease, etc. in your pet.
Gum disease is curable but it can take several months of treatment which can involve painful and expensive dental scaling, oral medicines, etc.
D. Poor diets
Another cause of poor dental health in your Chihuahua is a low-quality diet.
Your pet can only develop strong gums and teeth after it is fed a nutritious diet. This is the foundation of your Chihuahua’s health which must begin from puppyhood.
Puppies need diets with calcium and phosphorus to develop strong and healthy teeth.
Adult Chis need natural diets without excess carbs or sugars that wreak havoc on their teeth.
Without these elements, your pet is at a risk of dental loss and other health issues.
How to Prevent Dental Issues in Chihuahuas – Top 5 Tips
If you are still wondering whether it is important to take care of your Chihuahua’s dental hygiene, then you must know by now that it is VERY IMPORTANT.
Here are 5 steps you can take to eliminate Chihuahua dental issues:
1. Fight dental issues with good diet
Feed your pet a high-quality kibble made with natural ingredients.
Make sure there is plenty of chewy meat along with crunchy pellets that naturally eliminate plaque and tartar.
Look for foods with probiotics that help reduce the unhealthy bacteria to create a healthier mouth.
Do check out our guide on the Best Dog Food for Chihuahua. We have many good options that are healthy for your pet’s teeth.
2. Use dental water additives
Your pet will get a healthier mouth thanks to dental water additives.
We recommend Oxyfresh Premium Pet Water Additive which is vet-recommended for removing plaque and tartar from the teeth.
3. Feed your Chihuahua high-quality mineral or ozonated water
Water with ozone or mineral and spring water is sometimes useful in clearing away plaque and tartar.
You can buy the above ozone maker to make ozonated water at home and flush your pet’s mouth with it.
4. Brush your Chihuahua’s teeth regularly
Use a high-quality toothpaste and toothbrush to clean your pet’s teeth every couple of days.
Check out our guide on the Best Toothbrush for Chihuahua.
5. Provide your Chihuahua with chew toys and dental treats
Chew toys, rope toys, dental treats etc. are very handy in removing plaque buildup.
However, you must not use them as a replacement for brushing.
Check out our guide on the Best Toys for Chihuahua and Best Dental Treats for Chihuahua.
Are Chihuahuas Prone to Dental Problems?
Yes, unfortunately, Chihuahuas are a breed that is highly prone to dental issues.
Unfortunately, many Chis do not receive the dental care they need, and, resultantly tend to have a reduced life span as the disease even affects their heart, kidneys, and liver.
Can a Chihuahua Live Without Teeth?
If your Chi is in a lot of pain due to bad teeth, gum disease, or caries, then it is better that you get its affected teeth removed.
In many cases, it is better for your dog to have no teeth at all than having terribly painful and diseased teeth.
Don’t worry, Chihuahuas can live without teeth but you will have to make certain adjustments.
These adjustments include feeding it a high-quality canned or wet food that is easier for your pet to chew and swallow.
You must strictly avoid feeding chunky foods to your pet.
If needed, blend your pet’s kibble or dry food or soak it for a few hours in broth or water before feeding.
You must also continue cleaning your pet’s mouth to prevent foul odor and maintain its gum health.
Are Dentastix Good for Chihuahua Dogs?
Yes, dental treats like Dentastix™ and Greenies™ are very good for your dog’s teeth and gums.
They prevent tartar and plaque buildup and even vets recommend feeding one Dentastix per day to maintain oral health, prevent foul breath, and keep your pet’s teeth sparkly white.
Check out our detailed guide on Are Dentastix good for dogs where we have answered this question in detail.
FAQs on How Many Teeth Do Chihuahuas Have?
1. What is the best dog gum disease home remedy?
The best home remedy for mild cases of gum disease in your Chihuahua is a No products found..
You simply spray it inside your pet’s mouth to eliminate bacteria and freshen up breath.
In milder cases, these oral rinses have helped reverse gum disease in dogs.
2. What is the best essential oil for gum disease in Chihuahua?
Peppermint essential oil is a safe remedy for Chihuahua’s with inflamed gums and gum disease.
- Take a few drops of peppermint oil mixed with coconut oil. Add a bit of baking soda to the blend and mix well.
- Wrap a gauze or clean cloth around your finger and dip it in the solution above.
- Rub the gauze around your pet’s mouth and clean its teeth and gums.
3. What antibiotics are available for periodontal disease in Chihuahuas?
Your vet might prescribe antibiotics like Amoxicillin or ciprofloxacin for treating periodontal disease.
The dosage would depend on your pet’s weight and overall health.
4. What is a good home remedy for Chihuahua dog plaque?
For milder cases of plaque, you can use a high-quality dog toothpaste to remove plaque.
You can also use dental sprays which help soften plaque and tartar buildup.
Avoid using human toothpaste or human mouthwashes as they can be too harsh on your pet’s gums.
For very severe cases of hardened plaque, you might have to opt for dental scaling at your vet.
Conclusion
How many teeth do Chihuahuas have? The answer is that an adult Chihuahua has 42 teeth while puppy Chihuahuas have about 28.
However, since the breed is highly prone to gum disease and other oral issues, it can lose its teeth.
Many Chis end up with no teeth at all.
This is mostly the case with Chihuahuas that receive poor or no dental cleaning.
We hope this guide helps you take better care of your Chihuahua’s dental health.
