Bearded dragons are some of the coolest pet reptiles that you can ever have.Bearded dragons are cheerful and calm reptiles who are a good choice for people who have no experience in keeping pets. However, the needs of a bearded dragon must be taken care of.Bearded dragons are lovely animals that you can have at home. Bearded dragons are extremely playful and tend to have a calm nature. Hence, bearded dragons are regarded as good pets in terms of children’s safety. There are so many amazing facts about a bearded dragon’s body, habits, and lifestyle. Bearded dragons can be your best friend for a period of 15 years or even longer. You cannot find more lovely reptiles to have as pets. Keeping a reptile as a pet makes people wonder about what these reptiles eat, how to properly take care of these animals, and the body features of these cute little beings.If you enjoy this article, be sure to check out how big do bearded dragons get and why do bearded dragons wave.Do baby bearded dragons have teeth?One of the most curious questions asked about bearded dragons is about their teeth and gums. Many people have been curious to know whether or not these lovely little pets have teeth to chew, tear, or bite food as a part of their diet.The health quotient has to be considered. Like any other reptiles, bearded dragons do have teeth, but the difference is the type of teeth these species have. Now, there is confusion about it being acrodont or pleurodont. Bearded dragons are known to have acrodont teeth. These bearded dragons’ teeth can easily be broken down with force because they’re not deeply embedded in the jaw bone of dragons. Though bearded dragons do not bite, curious people must know that baby a bearded dragon’s bite doesn’t even tear the skin. As for adult bearded dragons, their bite will just hurt a little bit and the skin will bleed, but there is nothing to worry about.How many teeth do bearded dragons have?Let’s talk bearded dragons’ teeth. They’re tiny and sometimes invisible, but they’re essential for a bearded dragon’s ability to eat efficiently, even at an early age.It is interesting to note that even if beardies do have teeth, clean bearded dragons’ teeth are not used for chewing food. Bearded dragons’ acrodont teeth are used to just cut food into small pieces. Bearded dragons do produce fluid in their mouths which helps to efficiently swallow and digest food. One of the most curious questions asked is about pets having teeth, a strong bone and attachment to the lower jaw. Well, it has been difficult for many beardie owners to identify teeth in baby beardies. This species tends to have teeth from birth. Hence, baby beardies do have teeth that are hard to notice by humans as the size is too small.They are unlike us humans in that we only drink milk for the first few months of our life and then acquire teeth and go on to solid foods as we get older. From the start, a bearded dragon requires teeth to consume insects and vegetables in its diet. At this age, their teeth are small, often difficult to see, and extremely sharp because they are still developing. Their teething will become blunter as they age as a result of continual soft food feeding. You may have to keep a check on feeding them soft food and some insects.The teeth of a bearded dragon are used for feeding. If necessary, the front area is utilized to grip and hold insects and items like vegetables. Because these front teeth tend to fall out and grow back, noticing one missing isn’t usually a cause for alarm. Vegetables work better here, apart from insects. The back teeth, which are bonded to the upper jaw, are used for chewing and crushing food to the appropriate fineness before eating, not for soft foods. Although back teeth do not regrow if knocked out, they are significantly more protected than their front teeth. Therefore losing a tooth is extremely unusual, especially when a bearded dragon has soft foods in its diet.Can bearded dragons lose their teeth?Another question is about losing teeth. Pleurodont teeth do have a tendency to fall and regrow.But beardies have acrodont teeth. Hence they do not fall out, and bearded dragons do not lose their teeth. However, the teeth can be broken due to force. It is also nearly impossible for bearded dragons to have teeth grow back. Baby beardies do have pleurodont teeth at the very beginning, which may fall out as beardies become adults.Causes of Tooth Damage In Bearded DragonsTooth decay or tooth damage may occur in beardies due to plaque formation, which is a result of food hardening in between teeth.The mouth may rot and the quality of teeth may be lowered. It is therefore essential to keep cleaning your beardie’s mouth as it could even turn into an infection which may prove to be fatal for a beardie. There have been many factors that affect the health of teeth of beardies. For example, diet can affect the health of teeth in beardies. Plaque formation is easy in beardies, and hence, it is advised not to give too many sugary or citrus foods. Lighting can also affect dragons’ teeth as it can help in the efficient absorption of calcium. You may want to take care of the lighting here.A bearded dragon, as a lizard, must be fed crunchy soft-bodied insects to keep its teeth healthy. Collision, falling, or fighting with other animals will often lead to tooth loss as the dentition of beardies is not strong enough. This fighting and biting habit could also result in bleeding gums, a major gum disease. Hence, these things must be taken care of to let a bearded dragon have good dental hygiene, especially healthy gums without any disease.Routine care is necessary. You may have to consult a veterinarian in case beardies lose a tooth from tooth sockets or if you see any swelling around the mouth. They will likely suggest an antiseptic and disinfectant that can be used, or teeth wear according to the number of teeth. Make sure the instructions from the veterinarian are followed to keep the bearded lizard safe. Make sure it does not start biting or fighting and lose more teeth. A veterinarian will also give you an insight on how to take care of a beardie if it is under stress and about feeding itWhat do bearded dragons use their teeth for?The next commonly asked question is about the sharpness of teeth and dentition that these beardies have. It is found that baby beardies do have sharp teeth. The bite of baby beardies would not hurt a person as babies do not have enough strength.As for adults, the teeth do not remain that sharp as they are in a growing phase due to the constant eating of these little beings. The edges of the teeth become round and the sharpness blunts out. As beardies do have teeth, people wonder what are the teeth used for. Many people, from observing these lizards for weeks, have noticed that beardies do not grind food particles. In reality, the teeth are not used for chewing or grinding. Beardies tend to use their teeth to cut food particles into pieces which makes them easier to swallow.Bearded dragons are more calm and composed than anyone would have imagined. Most pet lovers often want to know about the noises that these pets make. Many are worried about the silence of a bearded dragon. The fact is beardies do not make noises too frequently. Bearded dragons are known to produce only squeaking or hissing sounds. Whenever beardies are sad or threatened, you will find the dragons make these noises. Also, beardies are all playful, hence, beardies might make these noises if these little beings want something.How do you clean a bearded dragon’s teeth?Bearded dragons’ teeth must be cleaned through frequent observations which means one must check for left-out food pieces stuck in between their teeth. The teeth of a bearded dragon must be cleaned using a toothbrush.A bearded dragon must have an annual oral scaling done every year. This will help to maintain dental hygiene and remove the risks of getting any plaque or other oral problems. If the teeth of beardies are damaged then the beardies might suffer and will not be able to eat a diet that includes insects. Hence, it is important for pet owners to keep a check on the teeth of beardies every three to four weeks. This will help to examine the growth of any unhealthy issues or even help in identifying food remains.So, if bearded dragons do have teeth, then the question becomes do the teeth of bearded dragons need to be brushed? Well, the answer is the teeth of bearded dragons do not have to be cleaned very often. The usage of a brush to clean the teeth is not recommended. If you find dirty deposits on your pet’s teeth or between the teeth, then you may just clean it with the help of cotton buds available at home. You must make sure to keep a check on your bearded dragon’s dental hygiene.Dental hygiene is important for everyone including animals. Hence, the question of whether to clean a beardie’s teeth or not is essential. It is important for pet owners to note that beardies do need to have their teeth cleaned once a month or if someone notices any food remaining in their teeth. The process is simple. You must not use a toothbrush. Make sure to use a cotton bud soaked in water. The process is simple but it takes time to clean the teeth of beardies diligently.How do you promote bearded dragon dental health?Dental illness affects reptiles as well as cats and dogs, which many pet owners are unaware of. Dental problems can affect lizards, snakes, turtles, and tortoises, and they vary by species.Loss of appetite, difficulty gripping food, chewing pain, jaw inflammation, and bleeding from the mouth are all symptoms of dental illness. Bearded dragon teeth, like human teeth, are vital to their well-being. With a few exceptions, they only obtain one set of scales, unlike many other reptiles. Most notably, the teeth of beardies are sensitive to periodontal disease, are quickly injured, and require special attention.The teeth of beardies can easily be fractured, damaged, or lost. Their acrodont teeth are particularly fragile. In reality, periodontal disease hasn’t been documented to affect pleurodont dentition, which is found in several lizards, including the iguana. So, it’s important to take care of bearded dragon teeth. Damages or wear issues cannot be handled at home, so take it to a veterinary doctor in case of such issues.Moisten a small cotton bud or ball with water and gently rub it around your bearded dragon’s teeth and gum area to clean its teeth. Once or twice a week, do this. Do not use toothpaste as a cleaning agent. Instead of water, some veterinarians recommend soaking the cotton ball in a diluted chlorhexidine solution. This is based on several things, so please follow your veterinarian’s advice. Chlorhexidine is a disinfectant and antiseptic that kills yeast, viruses, fungi, and bacteria.Never feed your beardie full-strength chlorhexidine, and always seek your veterinarian’s advice before attempting to use it. Taking care of a beardie is easy. A beardie’s dental hygiene must be given the utmost importance, which helps a bearded dragon to lead a healthy life. If it is under stress, contact a veterinary doctor immediately for help. There have been many facts about taking the perfect care of beardies. One must research beardies more and also ask the vets about the proper caring for bearded dragon’s dental area. This will guide a new pet owner in the right way.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ‘Do bearded dragons have teeth?’ then why not take a look at ‘Baby bearded dragon diet’, or ‘Bearded dragon facts’.
Bearded dragons are some of the coolest pet reptiles that you can ever have.
