While channel surfing, I came across Moira Delia’s TV programme Animal diaries. Unfortunately, I did not watch the whole show.

The vet present seemed to know the subject matter, however, I believe she missed one or two vital points for the viewer to better understan the topic being discussed.

A dog has a total of 42 teeth; 20 in the upper jaw  - six incisors, two canine, eight premolars and four molars. There are 22 teeth in the lower jaw, the same as in the upper, except that there are six molars not four.

The last premolar in the upper jaw has become elongated and developed a cutting ridge, which overlaps the first molar on the lower jaw. The dog’s teeth are carnassial, which it uses to chew through tough materials.

The vet said that diseases such as gingivitis can be cured by using toothpaste or gel and I agree. She failed to mention that hard bones (not chicken) are very good to keep the gums healthy or as a toy. The mutt, shown as a specimen, did not have any premolar or molar teeth at all on one side of the mouth, so how could one demonstrate how to deal with the subject in question?