Which statement about the adult dog's dentition is true?

• A. They have 40 permanent teeth
• B. They have 42 permanent teeth
• C. They have 44 permanent teeth
• D. They have 46 permanent teeth

Answer: (B)

Understanding how many permanent teeth an adult dog should have comes from the dental formula, which shows how many teeth are in each part of one side of the mouth. On one side, the upper jaw has 3 incisors, 1 canine, 4 premolars, and 2 molars, while the lower jaw has 3 incisors, 1 canine, 4 premolars, and 3 molars. That sums to 21 teeth on a single side, and with two sides, an adult dog typically has 42 permanent teeth. This is why 42 is the standard count for a healthy adult dog. Puppies have 28 deciduous (baby) teeth, which are replaced by the 42 permanent teeth as they mature. Variations can occur if teeth are missing or extra teeth are present, but 42 is the typical adult count.