What does your dog use their teeth for?

Dogs, like humans, have different types of teeth designed for specific functions such as biting, tearing, and chewing. Evolutionarily, the majority of their functions were to support their natural raw meat eating diet by design.

Incisors: These are the small, sharp teeth located at the front of a dog's mouth. Dogs use their incisors for grasping and pulling meat, as well as grooming.
Canines: Canines are the long, pointed teeth located on either side of the incisors. They are used for puncturing and tearing meat, as well as for defence.
Premolars: Premolars are located behind the canines. They have flat surfaces used for cutting, shearing, and grinding meat.
Molars: Molars are the largest teeth located at the back of a dog's mouth. They have broad, flat surfaces designed for grinding and crushing meat.

Dogs have two sets of teeth in their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent (adult) teeth. Puppies are born without teeth, but their deciduous teeth start to come in when they are around 3-6 weeks old. These baby teeth eventually fall out, and by the time a dog is around 6 months to 1 year old, they should have all of their permanent teeth.

Proper dental care is essential for dogs to maintain good oral health. This includes providing dental chews or toys, and scheduling professional dental cleanings. Regular dental care can help prevent dental diseases such as periodontal disease, which is common in dogs and can lead to pain, infection, and tooth loss if left untreated.