Do Bearded Dragons Have Teeth? (The Surprising Truth)

One question that often gets asked is “do Bearded Dragons have teeth?”. 

As Bearded Dragons become increasingly popular as household pets, more and more potential owners want to know as much as they can about these amazing reptiles before they bring one into their family home.

I have researched this topic to bring you the answers you need about Bearded Dragons and their teeth!

So do Bearded Dragons have teeth? Yes, Bearded Dragons do have teeth. They are very small and sometimes hardly visible, however, they play a vital role in allowing a Bearded Dragon to feed efficiently even from a young age.

Read on to find out exactly what Bearded Dragons use their teeth for, how to keep their teeth healthy, if they can bite and much more!

Do Baby Bearded Dragons Have Teeth?

Yes, Bearded Dragons actually have teeth from being babies. 

They are totally different from us humans, as we obviously only drink milk for the first few months of our lives and then develop teeth as we grow older and move onto solids.

In contrast, a Bearded Dragon needs teeth to chew insects and vegetation from day one.

Their teeth at this age are small, often hard to see and also quite sharp as they are brand new. As they get older, their teeth will become blunter through constant feeding.

What Do Bearded Dragons Use Their Teeth For?

A Bearded Dragons teeth are primarily for feeding. The teeth at the front are used to grip and hold insects and plantation such as vegetables if needed.

These front teeth actually have the ability to fall out and re-grow so if you notice one missing it’s not always as an instant cause for concern.

The teeth at the back of the mouth are fused to the jaw and these are used for chewing and grinding food to the required consistency before swallowing.

The back teeth don’t grow back if knocked out but they have far greater protection when compared to the front teeth so losing one of these teeth is highly unlikely.

Are Bearded Dragons Teeth Sharp?

The teeth of any animal or reptile will be sharp to some degree. A Bearded Dragons teeth are a lot sharper when they are babies and juveniles compared to when they are adults.

As they get older, the constant chewing at meals times gradually wears down the teeth and rounds off the edges.

This will obviously largely depend on the diet you feed your Dragon but the general rule of thumb is that as a Bearded Dragon gets older their teeth will lose much if not all of the sharpness they once had.

What Can Effect The Health Of Bearded Dragons Teeth?

The health of a Bearded Dragons teeth can be largely affected by 3 main factors that are luckily all in the control of the owner. 

Let’s take a look at these 3 factors so you can always be on top of your Dragons oral health.

Diet

Diet is a major factor in the health of your Bearded Dragons teeth and something that you should pay close attention to.

A Bearded Dragons teeth are affected much the same way as humans would be by plaque.

Plaque collects on a Bearded Dragons teeth and over time hardens into tartar. This, in turn, can cause teeth and gum problems.

To reduce the chance of this happening, you should limit the amount of citrus and sugary fruits you feed to your Dragon as excess sugar will lead to unhealthy teeth even for a Bearded Dragon.

A great option is to feed your Dragon crunchy insects such as roaches and crunchy vegetables. Not every insect of veg you feed them has to be crunchy but adding these types of insects and veg in their diet will help to naturally clean their teeth.

To give a baby Bearded Dragon a good balanced diet you should aim to feed them around 60% protein from insects and 40% vegetation (limited fruits) and as they become and adult you should aim for around 80% insect proteins and 20% vegetation (limited fruits). This will give them a healthy balance while looking after their teeth at the same time.

If you need more information about food and supplements for your Beardie then I’ve created a post that lists the best places to purchase live insects online as well as my recommended calcium and vitamin supplements. You can take a look right here

This percentage split should only be used as a guide and you should always consult your vet if in doubt or if your Dragons has any special dietary needs.

Lighting

Having the correct light is another vital factor to ensure your Bearded Dragons teeth stay healthy.

Having the correct UVB lighting setup is essential for calcium absorption and much more and not having this light set up correctly or even not replacing it often enough can have a negative effect on their health including teeth.

Having the basking lamp set up and at the correct temperature is also equally important. If your Bearded Dragon can’t bask efficiently then they can’t digest food and this means that ultimately every part of their boy including their teeth won’t get the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

(If you need help setting up your Bearded Dragons lighting or you just want some tips and advice then I strongly recommend checking out my article on lighting and how to set it up. Where I share exactly how to set up the lighting for your Bearded Dragon with diagrams.

I’ve also shared my list of essential lighting equipment including the exact products I recommend and where to get the. You can check out the list here

Fighting Each Other

I understand that this last one won’t be relevant to most of you but it’s still worth mentioning.

First of all, I don’t recommend that you have more than one Bearded Dragon in a tank as they are for the most part solitary reptiles and also very territorial, however, if you do insist on having more than one dragon in a tank then there’s a good chance they could fight.

Fighting for dominance, food or territory can easily lead to teeth getting pulled out or damaged when Bearded Dragon is placed in the same tank and it’s certainly something I would steer away from.

I’ve written a post here that shares all the different situations where Bearded Dragons might be housed together, the potential hazards and what you should do instead.

Should You Check Your Bearded Dragons Teeth?

It’s always good to practise to check your Bearded Dragons teeth at least once a month.

If you do this on the first day of each month then it’s much easier to stick to a monthly routine without it slipping your mind.

This way you can be sure that their teeth are healthy and not giving them any problems.

If you do notice any problems then you should contact your vet for an expert opinion.

Sometimes depending on your situation, purchasing reptile insurance is better than paying for large vet bills. I’ve researched the best options for insurance for both the US and UK and shared them in a post, you can check out my top recommendations for reptile insurance here.

Do You Need to Clean Your Bearded Dragons Teeth?

Brushing your Bearded Dragons teeth is actually a great idea. Now, don’t get worried and think that you are going to have to rush to your local store and purchase a toothbrush.

All you need is a cotton bud soaked in water to wipe around your Dragons teeth and gums, you should do this daily if possible.

This will help to keep any plaque at bay and stop tartar build-up on your Dragons teeth.

Again, the types of food you feed them will greatly affect the risk of plaque build-up and the need for brushing with a cotton bud.

Please note, brushing a Bearded Dragons teeth isn’t always easy at first. This is something that you will have to work at and slowly do for longer periods as they warm to the idea over time.

Can Bearded Dragons Bite?

Yes, it’s possible that a Bearded Dragon can bite, however, it’s highly unlikely.

Bearded Dragons are very placid reptiles and their natural instinct is to run and hide if they feel threatened by someone who would be perceived as a predator. 

The only time they would even think about biting is if they were cornered and had nowhere to go, then and only then would then possibly bite as a last resort.

In my opinion, you would have to persistently threaten a Bearded Dragon to have any chance of being bitten and any animal or reptile in the world would react in the same way to such behaviour.

If you want to know more about Bearded Dragons and biting then I’ve written a post here that shares everything you need to know about biting as an owner.

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