Bearded Dragon Teeth: Everything You Need to Know

Do Bearded Dragons Have Teeth?

Bearded dragon teeth and their oral health is a critical part of any bearded dragon’s care. Unlike us humans, beardies are born with their teeth, they need them as they will eat protein and vegetation from birth. If you don’t help look after your bearded dragon’s teeth it can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. 

In this article, we will aim to answer all the questions that you might have about bearded dragon teeth. Everything from dental problems to what to do when your beardie losses a tooth.

How Many Teeth Do Bearded Dragons Have?

Bearded dragons have teeth that are outwardly fused to their jawbones. They have around 30-40 teeth in their upper jaws and up to 40 teeth in their lower jaws. In total, they can have up to 80 teeth in their mouth!

Acrodont Upper Teeth

The single triangular cusp is what makes beardie teeth acrodonts, which are not capable of regrowing once fully grown.

Acrodont means that the tooth has no root and a socket, and instead it adheres to the top of the jawbone like a contact lens on your eye without an adhesive strip.

Pleurodont Lower Teeth

The lower jaw teeth are pleurodont, or “grasping” teeth.

Acrodont teeth are triangular and vary in size. They’re larger, and rather than resting on top of the jawbone, they are fused to the jawbone.

Although they don’t have actual roots, because they are fused to the bone, it does mean that if your bearded dragon was to lose a bottom tooth, it may be possible for your beardie to regrow the missing tooth.

Many lizards have the ability to regrow other parts of their bodies like their tails. Do you want to know if bearded dragons regow their tails?

Dental Problems in Bearded Dragons

Peridontal Disease

Lizards like beardies are particularly prone to periodontal disease that can progress into more serious oral problems. The most common cause of peridontal disease is suspected to be related to a poor diet.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common problem in bearded dragons and is caused by the accumulation of plaque or bacteria on your dragon’s teeth. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more serious form of gum disease.

Gingivitis itself is not destructive, but it can pave the way for other diseases like periodontitis, which can be very harmful to your dragon.

If you think your dragon may have gingivitis, it’s best to take him or her to a qualified veterinarian for treatment.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is the most common cause of tooth loss in bearded dragons. It is a bacterial infection that affects the bones and surrounding tissues. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent tooth loss.

Tooth Displacement

There is also a condition called “tooth displacement,” which happens when the jaw grows too small for the teeth to fit and they come out from their sockets.

Tooth displacement can leave part of the gum exposed, making your dragon more susceptible to infection!

Mouth Rot

If you notice white pus in your beardie’s mouth, it might have a mouth rot. This is a condition that can be treated at home with a vet-recommended solution called Betadine.

Signs of mouth rot include white pockets of pus and rotting teeth.

How To Keep Your Bearded Dragons Teeth Healthy

There are several ways to help keep your bearded dragon’s teeth healthy, they include.

Improve Your Bearded Dragons Diet

A healthy diet is important to prevent diseases from spreading. The first and most important thing you can do to keep your bearded dragon’s teeth healthy is to ensure that the diet contains crunchy/solid food in addition to soft food.

You should always look to feed your bearded dragon a variety of foods including crickets, woodworms (which can be found at pet stores or online).

Avoid Sugary Foods

Bearded dragons can develop tooth decay from too much sugar. It’s important to avoid sugary foods and only feed your bearded dragon fruit infrequently – once every two weeks at the most.

Stick to healthy vegetables and insects, which will help keep your beardie’s teeth healthy and strong.

Don’t Forget About Calcium Powder

Bearded dragons need calcium in their diet to maintain healthy teeth and bones. Without it, they can develop Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), which is characterized by a weakening of the bones.

This can be due to a lack of proper calcium intake, indicating that bearded dragons are not getting enough through the food they eat.

However, you don’t want to give your beardie too much calcium either! Excessive calcium can contribute to bad teeth – something you want to avoid. So what’s a bearded dragon parent to do?

Fortunately, there are many supplements available on the market that have added Vitamin D3. But this is not recommended for bearded dragons, as it can lead to health problems.

The best way to ensure your beardie gets the right amount of calcium is by providing a supplement specifically designed for them like Fluker’s Calcium Supplement with added Vitamin D3.

Install The Proper UVB Lighting

UVB lighting is crucial for proper calcium absorption in your bearded dragon. It helps them maintain healthy teeth and bones, resulting in a healthier overall animal.

To provide your beardie with the proper UVB lighting, you will need to install a UVB light within the enclosure something like the REPTI ZOO T5 HO UVB Lighting Combo Kit.

The basking lamp should be placed at one end of the enclosure so that your bearded dragon can bask in it.

Prevent Your Bearded Dragon from Hurting Itself

Bearded dragons can develop gum disease if they fall on their face and teeth. It’s easy to prevent this by keeping your dragon low to the substrate so it doesn’t fall from too high of a distance.

Bearded dragons can fight and injure one another either when looking to prove dominance or over food, so it’s important to watch your bearded dragon closely and be sure they are getting along with other bearded dragons in their enclosure at all times.

A yearly checkup is an opportunity for owners of exotic pets like bearded dragons to discuss oral health with their veterinarians

Are Bearded Dragons Teeth Sharp?

Yes, bearded dragons’ teeth are sharp! As a bearded dragon grows and ages their teeth will become duller, depending on diet. Baby bearded dragons will have sharper teeth than adults.

Dental hygiene plays a role in the oral health of your beardie dragon. Bearded dragons lose their sharp teeth as they age so make sure you’re feeding them good diets and vitamins to keep their mouth healthy.

Should you clean bearded dragon teeth?

Yes, it is recommended to clean bearded dragon teeth every week to avoid plaque buildup. This is part of a routine care plan and not as a fix after the problem has occurred. Cleaning teeth can help prevent gum and mouth disease.

How to clean bearded dragon teeth?

The best way to clean your bearded dragon’s teeth is by using cotton swabs dipped in water. Some veterinarians suggest using diluted chlorhexidine solution. However, you should check with your vet first and also check if they have any other recommendations for you.

This will help to disinfect your pet’s mouth. Make sure to dilute the chlorhexidine solution before using it on your pet! Clean bearded dragon teeth with a suitable solution, not full strength.

Do Baby Bearded Dragons Have Teeth?

Yes, baby bearded dragons are born with teeth! In fact, they come out of their eggs with a bunch of teeth that they’ll need to survive in the wild.

Unlike humans, baby bearded dragons don’t need milk to survive, they need food! Baby bearded dragons catch and eat their own food from day one.

Their teeth are essential for survival, as they cannot eat without them. A baby beardie’s teeth will become smaller and blunter as they age due to the nature of their lives.

What Do Bearded Dragons Use Their Teeth For?

Bearded Dragons have two types of teeth- the front ones and the back ones. The front teeth are used for gripping insects and eating plants, while the back teeth are used to chew or grind food.

The front teeth are more likely to be damaged or lost than the back ones because they aren’t as well protected.

Bearded Dragons can bite, but not with their main chewing jaw (their bottom jaw). They use their top jaw to do all the biting which is why it’s important to never put your hand in their mouth!

How to Tell If Your Bearded Dragon Is Losing Teeth?

Bearded dragons may lose teeth for a variety of reasons. If your bearded dragon is in pain when eating, it may be down to a problem and they may lose teeth as a result.

Another common reason for tooth loss is if the dragon has gum disease. Signs of red gums should be taken seriously and indicate that your bearded dragon needs to see a vet.

If your bearded dragon is losing teeth, it’s important to keep an eye on its overall health. A loss of appetite or being anorexic can be signs that something is wrong with their teeth.

Make sure to check for any signs of decay or gum disease.

Reasons They May Lose Their Teeth

Bearded dragons are known to lose their teeth for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons can include:

• Stress: If your dragon is feeling stressed, it may start banging its head against the wall or other objects in its habitat. This behavior can also be caused by a lack of interest in the surroundings.
• Diet: A diet that consists mostly of soft foods can damage the teeth over time and lead to tooth loss. If you want to learn more about Bearded Dragons Diet you can by checking out our beardies diet page.
• Fights: When bearded dragons live together, fights are likely to break out and this can result in tooth loss.
• Health Issues: Many health issues can cause a bearded dragon to lose its teeth, such as gum disease and infection.

What Do You Do If Your Beardie Is Losing Teeth?

If your lizard happens to lose a tooth, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure they remain healthy. The first step is contacting your local veterinarian, they will be able to help diagnose the issue and provide treatment if necessary.

It’s also important that you keep an eye on your lizard’s behavior; if they seem stressed or agitated, there may be something wrong that requires a vet visit.

Things That damage Bearded Dragons Teeth

Many things can damage a bearded dragon’s teeth.

Soft foods, insects, and fruit can all cause tooth breakage.

Too much or too little calcium can also lead to tooth breakage.

Nutritional deficiencies and soft foods cause damage to the teeth of bearded dragons.

Stress can also cause your bearded dragon to bang its head against things or “glass surf”, causing damage to the rostrum.

Your beardie could have a compromised immune system, nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (MDB), and fighting-related injuries if they’re not given proper care.

Tooth fractures, tooth infections, and periodontal disease all lead to lost teeth, which could be a permanent issue for your bearded dragon. Bearded dragons are particularly susceptible to periodontal disease.

In some cases, plaque buildup and gingivitis can lead to infection and inflammation in the teeth and gums. The accumulation of bacteria can lead to a more severe form of periodontal disease, which includes inflammation and infection in the teeth and gums.

Do Bearded Dragons Teeth Grow Back?

Bearded dragons are known for their unique tooth structure.

The front teeth are mainly for feeding and are more prone to damage, the back ones usually aren’t lost but can be worn down or lost from improper care.

If a bearded dragon’s back teeth fall out, they will not grow back. However, the front teeth fall out and re-grow periodically throughout the lizard’s early life.

So, if you do happen to lose one of your bearded dragon’s teeth, don’t worry – it will probably grow back soon!

Conclusion

Bearded Dragon are remarkable creatures and so are their teeth. However tooth decay and loss can be a real problem for bearded dragons, but with proper dental care and diet your bearded dragons teeth will last them their lifetime.