Puppies go through two full sets of teeth in their first year of life — a process that can be confusing, messy, and occasionally alarming for new owners. Understanding the normal puppy teeth chart by age helps you recognize what’s happening at each stage, know when to be concerned, and set up good dental habits before permanent teeth are fully in.
Puppy Teeth: The Basics
Dogs have two sets of teeth:
- Deciduous (baby/milk) teeth: 28 teeth total, no molars. Start erupting around 3–4 weeks of age and are fully in by 8 weeks.
- Permanent (adult) teeth: 42 teeth total (including molars). Begin erupting around 12–16 weeks and are fully in by 6–8 months.
Puppy Teeth Chart: Development by Age
3–4 Weeks: First Baby Teeth Appear
The incisors — the small front teeth — are the first to emerge, usually around 3–4 weeks of age. At this stage, puppies are still nursing and beginning to eat softened solid food. The teeth are tiny and very sharp (hence why mothers start weaning at this point).
4–6 Weeks: Baby Canines and Premolars
The canine teeth (the pointed “fang” teeth) emerge next, followed by the premolars. By 6 weeks, most puppies have a near-complete set of 28 deciduous teeth. These baby teeth are noticeably sharper and more needle-like than adult teeth.
6–8 Weeks: Full Baby Dentition
All 28 deciduous teeth should be fully erupted by 8 weeks. This is typically when puppies go to their new homes. At this point, owners can begin gently handling the mouth and introducing the concept of toothbrushing through positive desensitization.
12–16 Weeks: Permanent Incisors Begin Erupting
This is when teething begins in earnest. The permanent incisors start pushing through, loosening and displacing the baby incisors above them. Puppies typically experience increased chewing behavior, mild drooling, and sometimes a slight decrease in appetite. You may find tiny baby teeth on the floor — this is normal.
4–5 Months: Permanent Canines and Premolars
The permanent canines and premolars follow the incisors. The canine teeth take longest to come in fully — often until 5–6 months. This is the most active phase of teething: puppies chew voraciously, may have sore gums, and sometimes show mild behavioral changes (slightly less playful or more irritable than usual).
5–6 Months: Permanent Molars
The molars — which have no baby tooth predecessors — erupt directly from the gum around 5–6 months. There are no deciduous molars; permanent molars simply push through the gum tissue on their own timeline. By 6 months, most puppies have the majority of their permanent teeth.
6–8 Months: Full Adult Dentition
By 6–8 months, all 42 permanent teeth should be fully erupted and in position. If any baby teeth remain at this point — sitting alongside permanent teeth rather than having fallen out — they should be brought to your vet’s attention. Retained deciduous teeth require prompt extraction.
Puppy Teeth Count by Type
Deciduous (baby) teeth — 28 total:
- Incisors: 12 (6 upper, 6 lower)
- Canines: 4 (2 upper, 2 lower)
- Premolars: 12 (6 upper, 6 lower)
- Molars: 0 (no deciduous molars)
Permanent (adult) teeth — 42 total:
- Incisors: 12 (6 upper, 6 lower)
- Canines: 4 (2 upper, 2 lower)
- Premolars: 16 (8 upper, 8 lower)
- Molars: 10 (4 upper, 6 lower)
What to Expect During Teething
Most puppies go through teething with minimal distress. Signs you may notice:
- Increased chewing — this is normal and serves to help loosen baby teeth and soothe sore gums
- Finding tiny teeth around the house — small, needle-sharp deciduous teeth are swallowed during play or eating and cause no harm; you may also find them on the floor
- Mild drooling
- Mild bleeding from the gums at eruption sites — a small amount is normal
- Slight decrease in appetite for a day or two as permanent teeth emerge
- Slightly off behavior — puppies may be more clingy or less playful during peak teething discomfort
Provide appropriate chew outlets during this period: frozen carrots, puppy-safe teething toys, or chilled rubber toys. Avoid hard objects that can damage incoming permanent teeth.
Retained Deciduous Teeth: What to Watch For
A retained deciduous tooth is one that fails to fall out when the permanent tooth erupts — leaving two teeth occupying the same space. This is most common with the upper canine teeth and is more prevalent in small breeds.
Retained teeth create tight double-tooth spaces that trap food and bacteria, dramatically accelerating periodontal disease. They also crowd and displace the emerging permanent tooth, potentially affecting its final position.
Signs of retained teeth:
- Two teeth visible in the same position — a smaller, sharper baby tooth beside a larger permanent tooth
- Permanent tooth erupting at an angle away from its normal position (being displaced by the retained tooth)
- Extra crowding in the front of the mouth
If you spot a retained baby tooth at or after 6 months of age, mention it to your vet immediately. Retained teeth should be extracted — usually at the spay or neuter visit for convenience. Leaving them longer significantly increases dental disease risk.
When to Be Concerned About Puppy Teeth
Contact your vet if you notice:
- No baby teeth by 8 weeks of age
- No sign of permanent teeth beginning by 16–20 weeks
- A puppy that is unable to eat, crying in pain, or showing significant facial swelling during teething
- Heavy, persistent bleeding from gums (not just a small spot)
- Retained baby teeth still present at 6+ months
- Permanent teeth erupting significantly out of alignment
- Missing teeth at 8 months (adult teeth that never erupted may be impacted — only detectable on X-ray)
Starting Dental Care During Puppy Teething
The teething period — as uncomfortable as it sometimes is — is the ideal time to build the habits that will protect your dog’s teeth for life.
From 8 weeks: handle your puppy’s mouth daily. Lift the lips, touch the gums and teeth, let them smell and lick dog toothpaste. This desensitizes them to oral handling before you ever introduce a toothbrush.
From 4–6 months: introduce gentle brushing with a soft-bristled brush or finger brush. Focus on the outer tooth surfaces. Keep sessions short (15–30 seconds) and positive. Even light brushing during teething establishes the habit and removes the earliest plaque before it hardens.
By 6–7 months: once permanent teeth are fully in, begin a consistent daily brushing routine with enzymatic toothpaste. The bacteria that cause periodontal disease are already colonizing these new teeth — starting early matters.
Puppies who are handled daily and accept brushing easily grow into adult dogs who tolerate (and sometimes enjoy) brushing. Adult dogs who were never habituated to tooth brushing are significantly harder to get on board. The investment of 2 minutes per day in the first year is the most impactful dental health decision you’ll make for your dog.
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