Quick Answer: Adult vs. Puppy French Bulldog Tooth Count

A healthy adult French Bulldog has 42 permanent teeth. Even though Frenchies have compact heads and flat faces, their bodies follow the standard canine genetic blueprint. Puppies develop 28 temporary baby teeth before transitioning to their permanent adult dentition.

The table below outlines how tooth counts and anatomical categories differ between growing puppies and adult French Bulldogs.

How Many Teeth Do Adult French Bulldogs Have?

Adult French Bulldogs carry 42 permanent teeth once their mouth matures. These teeth sit in an asymmetrical distribution: 20 teeth line the upper jaw (maxilla), and 22 teeth line the lower jaw (mandible).

According to veterinary dental records documented on FrenchieGlobe, this 42-tooth count matches the dental anatomy of larger breeds such as Labrador Retrievers or Boxers. Despite their short muzzles, Frenchies do not have fewer teeth. The standard French Bulldog physical characteristics create a crowded oral cavity where full-sized canine teeth fit into a shortened bone structure.

How Many Teeth Do French Bulldog Puppies Have?

French Bulldog puppies develop 28 temporary milk teeth, also known as deciduous teeth. As documented in puppy care resources on FrenchieWiki, puppies are born toothless, and their sharp deciduous teeth typically begin pushing through the gums during the first few weeks of life (usually starting between 3 and 4 weeks of age, though individual puppy timing varies).

By roughly 5 to 6 weeks, all 28 deciduous teeth are usually in place. These early teeth allow young puppies to transition from nursing to solid kibble while learning bite boundaries during social play with their siblings. Because French Bulldog puppy litter sizes often average between 2 and 4 pups, monitoring each puppy during weaning helps confirm that all deciduous incisors and canines emerge without gum infections.

Complete Dental Breakdown: Types and Distribution of French Bulldog Teeth

Canine dentition divides into four distinct tooth types: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each type serves a distinct mechanical purpose during feeding, grooming, and play.

An adult French Bulldog mouth contains:

• 12 Incisors: 6 on the upper jaw, 6 on the lower jaw.
• 4 Canines: 2 on the upper jaw, 2 on the lower jaw.
• 16 Premolars: 8 on the upper jaw, 8 on the lower jaw.
• 10 Molars: 4 on the upper jaw, 6 on the lower jaw.

Breakdown by Tooth Type: Incisors, Canines, Premolars, and Molars

As detailed in anatomical guides from Frenchie Bouledogue, each category of tooth performs a specific task:

• Incisors (12 total): These small, single-rooted front teeth sit directly between the canine fangs. French Bulldogs use them to nibble small pieces of food, scrape meat, and groom dirt or burrs from their paws and fur.
• Canines (4 total): The large, pointed fangs sit at the front corners of the jaw. With long roots anchored deep into the bone, canines grip objects and puncture tough textures.
• Premolars (16 total in adults, 12 in puppies): Situated along the sides of the jaw behind the canines, premolars feature sharp crowns designed to shear food into manageable swallowable bites. When a dog has misaligned or painful premolars, unchewed food can lead to French Bulldogs throwing up after eating due to rapid swallowing.
• Molars (10 total in adults, 0 in puppies): The flat, wide teeth located at the back of the oral cavity crush and grind dry kibble and fibrous matter before ingestion.

Upper Jaw vs. Lower Jaw Dental Distribution

The difference between the 20 teeth on the upper jaw and 22 teeth on the lower jaw comes down to the molars.

The upper jaw contains 4 molars (2 on the left side, 2 on the right side). The lower jaw contains 6 molars (3 on the left side, 3 on the right side). All other categories (incisors, canines, and premolars) are split evenly between top and bottom jaws.

Providing healthy, crisp snacks such as crunchy cucumbers for French Bulldogs gives rear molars a safe mechanical workout without risking tooth fractures from excessively hard bones. The anatomical disparity of 20 upper teeth versus 22 lower teeth is standard across all domestic dog breeds (Canis lupus familiaris). In brachycephalic dogs like French Bulldogs, the presence of three lower molars per side requires thorough dental monitoring, as the third lower molar sits very close to the ascending jaw ramus and easily traps plaque.

French Bulldog Teething Timeline: When Do Adult Teeth Come In?

The transition from puppy milk teeth to full adult dentition spans several developmental milestones. According to canine dental records documented on A-Z Animals, French Bulldogs follow predictable teething stages, typically completing the process by approximately 8 months of age.

Key developmental stages include:

1. Neonatal Stage (Birth to ~2 Weeks): Puppies are born toothless, relying entirely on nursing.
2. Early Milk Teeth (~3 to 4 Weeks): The first deciduous incisors and canines begin pushing through the gums, though individual timing can vary by litter.
3. Complete Deciduous Set (~5 to 6 Weeks): All 28 puppy teeth are usually erupted, facilitating the transition to soft weaning food.
4. Initial Shedding (~12 to 16 Weeks): Baby incisors begin loosening and falling out as permanent adult incisors push upward.
5. Canine and Premolar Transition (~4 to 6 Months): Deciduous canines and premolars shed while adult canines and the first adult molars emerge behind the premolars. During this sore-gum window, pet owners often observe typical French Bulldog behavioral traits such as persistent chewing on furniture or hands to relieve oral pressure.
6. Adult Dentition Completion (~6 to 8 Months): The remaining molars settle into place. By around 8 months old, a healthy French Bulldog generally has all 42 permanent teeth in their proper anatomical positions.

During periods of intense gum inflammation, offering bland meals like feeding soft rice to French Bulldogs mixed with warm broth helps maintain nutrition without irritating tender gums.

Note: Watch for retained baby teeth between 6 and 8 months of age. If a deciduous tooth fails to fall out while its permanent replacement emerges in the same socket, food and bacteria get trapped between the twin teeth. Consult a veterinarian promptly to determine if surgical extraction of the retained baby tooth is required.

Routine Dental Care and Healthy Habits for French Bulldogs

Because French Bulldogs have shortened jawbones, their 42 adult teeth often rotate or sit tightly packed together. Regular dental care keeps their gums healthy and prevents early periodontal disease.

Essential dental habits include:

• Toothbrushing Habituation: Early training a French Bulldog to accept mouth handling makes weekly or daily brushing with dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste effortless.
• Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding calm cooperation with a small dab of xylitol-free peanut butter for French Bulldogs helps build a positive association with oral exams and toothbrushing tools.
• Safe Chew Toys: Soft rubber chew toys chilled in the refrigerator relieve teething discomfort without risking crown fractures associated with hard antlers or cooked bones.
• Annual Veterinary Dental Cleanings: A professional dental exam under anesthesia allows veterinarians to clean beneath the gumline and take intraoral X-rays to assess crowded root health.

Frequently Asked Questions About French Bulldog Teeth

When do French Bulldogs get their full set of adult teeth?

Most French Bulldogs develop their complete set of 42 adult teeth by around 8 months of age. While individual puppy growth rates differ, shedding typically starts with the front incisors during early puppyhood and concludes once the rear permanent molars finish settling into place near 8 months old.

How many molars do French Bulldogs have on each jaw?

Adult French Bulldogs have 10 molars in total. The upper jaw holds 4 molars (2 per side), while the lower jaw holds 6 molars (3 per side). Puppies have zero molars in their baby teeth set.

How many baby teeth do French Bulldog puppies start with?

French Bulldog puppies develop 28 temporary baby teeth. These deciduous teeth include 12 incisors, 4 canines, and 12 premolars, which typically begin emerging during their first few weeks of nursing depending on the puppy.