Pugs are lovable dogs. Affectionately called “smoosh-faced” (brachycephalic), Pugs have a compressed facial structure that, while adorably cute, makes them prone to several dental problems.
These problems can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Knowing how to manage a Pug’s teeth issues is vital in helping them maintain a healthy and comfortable mouth.
If you own a Pug or are considering getting one, keep reading to learn about Pug teeth and how to take good care of them.
How Many Teeth Do Pugs Have?
Before talking about the number of teeth, let’s briefly review the types of teeth in a Pug’s mouth. Like all dog breeds, Pugs have incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each type of tooth performs a specific function in the mouth. For example, molars are used for grinding food.
When Pugs are puppies, they have 28 baby teeth, also called deciduous teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, and 12 premolars. A Pug’s puppy teeth start falling out at a few months of age and are replaced by adult teeth by about 6 months of age.
Adult Pugs have 42 teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, and 10 molars.
Do Pugs Have Bad Teeth?
Pugs do not have bad teeth. However, their smooshed facial structure creates problems because all those 42 teeth are crammed into a tiny mouth. This is why dental care is so important for Pugs and other brachycephalic dog breeds.
Common Pug Teeth Problems
A Pug’s teeth problems can cause significant oral pain and discomfort if left unaddressed. Let’s go through some common dental issues in Pugs.
Overcrowding
Have you ever been squished into a small space with a lot of people, and there’s nowhere to go? That’s what’s happening in your Pug’s mouth. Your Pug has just as many teeth as a much larger dog (e.g., German Shepherd) but a much smaller mouth to house those teeth. Subsequently, overcrowding occurs in your Pug’s mouth.
Misalignment
Imagine those overcrowded teeth are pushing and shoving each other to get more room. The result is misalignment. The teeth, which are supposed to sit perfectly upright and aligned in straight rows, become crooked and misaligned, creating an environment for plaque to build up.
Tissue Damage
When the teeth are overcrowded and misaligned, they can rub against the insides of the lips and cheeks, causing irritation and damage in the mouth.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a disease of the structures surrounding and supporting the tooth, including the gums and bone. It affects approximately 80 percent of dogs over 3 and can occur in any dog breed. However, Pugs’ compressed facial and bone structures make them more likely to develop periodontal disease because plaque can easily get trapped between the misaligned and overcrowded teeth.
Plaque that remains on the teeth turns into tartar. Bacteria within the plaque can migrate to the gums and cause irritation and inflammation (gingivitis). Eventually, the bacteria can also damage the tooth socket, leading to loose teeth that may fall out.
Left untreated, periodontal disease can become so severe that tooth removal is required to not only remove loose teeth but also relieve the significant pain and discomfort caused by the disease.
Can Pugs Live with No Teeth?
Pugs can live and thrive without teeth (no dentures are needed!). For Pugs with severe dental disease, tooth removal is the best option to remove diseased and rotten teeth and treat advanced periodontal disease. In short, no teeth are better than unhealthy teeth.
Pugs without teeth will need a soft food diet that they can “gum” rather than chew. Examples of soft food include canned dog food, kibbles softened with water, and homemade soft food.
Plenty of human foods are safe for dogs to eat in their softened form, including mushed fruit (bananas, berries), mushed vegetables (sweet potato, zucchini), and slow-cooked, unseasoned chicken. If you choose to feed your Pug homemade soft food, work with your veterinarian to ensure that the homemade diet provides your Pug with complete, balanced nutrition.
Good dental care is still necessary if your Pug has no teeth. Why? Because the gums still need to be healthy. Clean your Pug’s gums daily with dog-safe toothpaste and a doggie toothbrush or soft cloth. Monitoring your dog’s gum color can also help you stay on top of your dog’s overall health.
Pug Teeth Cleaning: How to Do It
Keeping your Pug’s teeth clean is vital to good dental health. Brushing your Pug’s teeth once daily is ideal, but several times weekly can also work.
Start brushing your Pug’s teeth when they are a puppy. The earlier they get used to the process, the better. However, it’s not too late to start toothbrushing if your Pug is an adult. Your adult Pug may need more time to acclimate to the process, though.
Acclimate Your Pug
Whether your Pug is a puppy or an adult, follow these steps to acclimate them to you brushing their teeth:
- Find a quiet space in your home and position your Pug comfortably in your lap, with their back to you.
- Rub your finger or a soft cloth over their gums and teeth, staying on the outer surface to avoid being bitten. You may get to only a few teeth until your Pug is more comfortable with this motion.
- Place a small dab of dog-safe toothpaste on your finger and let your Pug taste it.
- Place the toothpaste on a small, soft cloth and use the same rubbing motion as in step
Steps for Brushing Teeth
When your Pug has acclimated to the toothbrushing process, it’s time to start cleaning their teeth:
- Use a dog-safe toothbrush. These toothbrushes are small and soft. You can also use a finger toothbrush or a toothbrush for human babies.
- Start brushing. Place a small amount of dog-safe toothpaste on the toothbrush and gently clean your Pug’s teeth and gums. Never use human toothpaste to brush your Pug’s teeth since they can contain harmful ingredients.
- Go slowly. Read your Pug’s body language. If they start to struggle, discontinue and resume at another time.
Don’t forget to give your Pug lots of verbal praise while you brush their teeth.
If your Pug refuses toothbrushing after multiple attempts, consider trying some teeth cleaning alternatives. Your veterinarian can guide you on which dental products to try.
Yearly professional dental cleanings are a critical component of dental health for Pugs, especially given their high risk of periodontal disease. These cleanings include a comprehensive oral exam, dental X-rays, and dental cleaning (± tooth extraction).
All components of professional dental cleanings are performed under anesthesia. A professional dental cleaning generally costs at least several hundred dollars but can cost much more if tooth extractions are needed.
Caring for Your Pug’s Teeth: Other Tips
Although Pugs have their fair share of dental problems, living a life of oral discomfort is not inevitable for them. A consistent dental care routine will help keep your Pug’s mouth as healthy and comfortable as possible.
In addition to regularly brushing your Pug’s teeth, follow these easy dental care tips:
Give your Pug chew toys. Chew toys are a great way to keep your Pug’s jawbones strong and break up plaque accumulating on the teeth. Chew toys also provide great mental stimulation and keep your Pug busy when you cannot play with them. Pick chew toys that are not super-hard because these toys can chip your Pug’s teeth.
Consider a dental diet. Dental diets are designed to remove plaque and tartar. However, these diets may not be a long-term solution because they may not provide complete and balanced nutrition like commercial dog food diets. Consult your vet if you’re considering giving your Pug a dental diet.
