Usually when you ask this question, your young dog has gotten into a little bit of trouble. But this time, your puppy is innocent! We’re talking about the anatomy of your dog’s mouth and what the veterinarian is looking at during oral examinations.
So first and foremost, let’s focus on the teeth!
Most dogs have 42 adult teeth, with 20 teeth on the upper jaw and 22 teeth on the bottom jaw. Dogs have 6 incisors, 2 canines and 4 premolars in both the top and bottom rows of teeth. However, the top jaw has 4 molars while the lower jaw has 6 molars.
When your veterinarian is examining your young dog’s teeth, they’re looking for the following:
- Missing or extra teeth
- Fractured teeth
- Worn teeth
- Cavities (not common in dogs)
- Dental tartar and calculus
- Abnormalities in size, shape, angulation or position
- Defects in the enamel of the teeth
While the teeth are certainly the main attraction, your veterinarian is looking at a lot more than just the teeth when they perform an oral exam. Your veterinarian will also examine the following items for injury, inflammation or abnormal growths:
Oropharynx: This is the back of your dog’s mouth toward the throat. Your veterinarian won’t be able to see the whole space while your puppy is conscious, but they should be able to see part of the soft palate.
Lips and cheeks: On the insides of the cheeks, your veterinarian can also see the entrances of salivary ducts.
Gums: Your veterinarian will look for periodontal disease, which is inflammation of the tissues around the teeth. Redness along the margin in contact with the tooth is a common finding. They’ll also look for bleeding around the teeth.
Hard palate: This is the roof of your dog’s mouth.
Tongue: If your pet allows, the veterinarian will look at the top, sides and underside of the tongue. There are also salivary ducts in the mouth that open under the tongue.
Your veterinarian will discuss any abnormalities they note. Based on your dog’s teeth and gums, the veterinarian may also discuss whether it’s time for a professional dental cleaning. A more extensive oral examination is performed if your puppy is anesthetized for a professional cleaning. If you’re concerned about something within your dog’s mouth, contact your VCA care team for an evaluation.
Learn more about how to spot gingivitis in your dog and potential causes.
