Puppies go through two sets of teeth — and the transition between them is one of the messiest, chewiest phases of puppyhood. Understanding the puppy teething timeline helps you anticipate what’s normal, recognize when something’s wrong, and protect both your puppy’s mouth and your furniture during the process.
Puppy Teeth: The Basics
Puppies are born without teeth. Their 28 deciduous (baby) teeth begin erupting at around 3–4 weeks of age, starting with the incisors at the front, followed by the canines and premolars. By 6–8 weeks — right about when most puppies go to their new homes — all 28 baby teeth are in.
These teeth are replaced by 42 permanent adult teeth starting around 3 months of age and completing by about 6–7 months. The process of adult teeth pushing through and replacing baby teeth is what most people mean when they talk about “puppy teething.”
Puppy Teething Timeline by Tooth Type
The eruption order follows a fairly predictable sequence:
3–4 months: Incisors (the small front teeth) are the first to be replaced. You may notice your puppy’s front baby teeth becoming loose, then falling out and being replaced by larger adult incisors. This is usually the least painful phase.
4–5 months: Adult canine teeth (the long “fang” teeth) begin erupting. The canines are the teeth owners notice most because the adult canine sometimes erupts before the baby canine has fallen out — creating a brief period where your puppy appears to have two canines on the same spot. This is called a “shark tooth” situation and is normal for a few weeks, but if it persists beyond 2 weeks, the retained baby canine should be extracted by a vet to prevent misalignment of the adult tooth.
4–6 months: Premolars replace their baby counterparts. These tend to cause more discomfort than the incisors because they’re larger and have multiple roots.
5–7 months: Molars erupt — these have no baby tooth counterparts, so they emerge into new space. All four sets of molars typically come in by 6–7 months, completing the adult dentition.
By 7 months: All 42 adult teeth should be fully erupted. If any baby teeth are still present at this point, your vet should be consulted — retained baby teeth that aren’t falling out on their own need to be extracted.
Signs Your Puppy Is Teething
Teething is uncomfortable. The signs are typically behavioral and physical:
Chewing everything: The most obvious sign. Puppies chew to relieve the pressure and discomfort of erupting teeth. This is instinctual, not misbehavior — they need to chew during teething, and the goal is redirecting what they chew.
Increased drooling: More saliva production is normal during active teething phases.
Red or mildly swollen gums: The gum tissue around erupting teeth is irritated. You may see slight pinkness or swelling where a tooth is coming through — this is normal. Significant swelling or bleeding warrants a vet check.
Small teeth appearing (or missing): Baby teeth fall out and are frequently swallowed — this is harmless. If you find small teeth on the floor, it’s a sign your puppy is actively teething. Don’t be alarmed if you never find them; most are swallowed.
Reduced appetite or chewing hesitation: Some puppies go off food slightly when teething is uncomfortable, or prefer softer food. If appetite loss is significant or prolonged, consult your vet.
Mild behavior change: Some puppies are crankier, more mouthing-heavy, or clingy during peak teething periods. This typically resolves as each wave of teeth comes through.
How to Help a Teething Puppy
The goals are to relieve discomfort and protect your belongings:
Provide appropriate chew toys: Rubber chew toys (Kong, Nylabone puppy) are designed for the pressure puppy teething requires. Avoid anything so hard it could chip an erupting tooth — a good rule of thumb is that if you can’t press your thumbnail into the surface, it’s too hard for a teething puppy. Avoid real bones, antlers, and hard nylon chews during teething.
Frozen chew options: Freezing a wet washcloth, a rubber toy filled with puppy-safe paste, or a small bully stick provides cooling relief to inflamed gum tissue. Many puppies show immediate interest in frozen chew items during peak teething.
Gum massage: Gently rubbing the gum tissue with a clean finger can provide some relief, and is also excellent preparation for the toothbrushing habit you’ll want to establish during this period.
Redirect, don’t scold: When your puppy chews something inappropriate, a calm redirect to an appropriate toy is more effective than punishment. Puppies chewing during teething are responding to physical discomfort, not testing boundaries.
Puppy-proof your space: Shoes, electrical cords, furniture legs, and children’s toys are all at risk. During peak teething (4–6 months), supervision and management matter as much as training.
Start Dental Care During Teething
The teething period is the ideal time to introduce toothbrushing — not because the baby teeth need much cleaning, but because you’re building a lifelong habit when the puppy’s mouth is already being handled frequently. Puppies who become comfortable with mouth handling and finger brushing during teething grow into dogs who tolerate (and often enjoy) toothbrushing as adults.
Start by letting your puppy lick a small amount of puppy-safe enzymatic toothpaste from your finger during gum massage sessions. Progress to a finger brush, then a soft toothbrush as more adult teeth erupt. By the time all 42 adult teeth are in at 6–7 months, you’ll have a dog who’s already experienced with the routine. For the full method: Puppy Teeth Cleaning: What You Need to Know.
Retained Baby Teeth: What to Watch For
A retained deciduous tooth is a baby tooth that hasn’t fallen out after the adult tooth has erupted beside it. This is most common with the upper canines but can happen with any tooth.
Why it matters: two teeth occupying the same space creates several problems:
- The adult tooth is forced out of its normal position, causing malocclusion (bite misalignment)
- Food and plaque pack between the crowded teeth, accelerating tartar buildup and periodontal disease
- The abnormal position of the adult canine may cause it to contact the palate, causing pain and tissue damage
What to do: if a baby tooth is still present 2+ weeks after the adult tooth has visibly erupted alongside it, consult your vet. Retained baby teeth should be extracted — typically under anesthesia during a spay/neuter procedure if timing aligns, or as a standalone procedure if not.
Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Teething
When do puppies start losing baby teeth?
Puppies typically start losing baby teeth around 3–4 months of age, beginning with the incisors. The process completes with the molars erupting at 6–7 months. By 7 months, all 42 adult teeth should be present.
Is it normal for a puppy’s gums to bleed during teething?
Light spotting of blood on a chew toy is normal — it often indicates a tooth is actively pushing through or a baby tooth is loosening. Significant or prolonged bleeding is not normal and should be evaluated by a vet.
My puppy swallowed a tooth — is that dangerous?
No. Swallowed baby teeth are harmless and pass through the digestive system normally. Most owners never find the teeth because puppies swallow them while chewing.
How can I tell if my puppy has retained baby teeth?
Look for two teeth of the same type occupying the same space — most visibly the canines, where you’ll see a baby canine and adult canine side-by-side. The baby tooth is typically smaller and sharper. If you notice this past the 5–6 month mark, mention it to your vet at the next appointment.
When should I take my puppy to the vet for a dental check?
Your puppy’s 4-month and 6-month wellness visits are good checkpoints for dental assessment. At 6 months, the vet should confirm that all adult teeth are coming in properly and check for retained baby teeth. If you’re concerned at any point before then — unusual swelling, prolonged lack of appetite, or visible retained teeth — don’t wait for the scheduled appointment.
Can I give my teething puppy dental chews?
Choose chews specifically designed for puppies — they’re softer than adult chews to accommodate developing teeth. Avoid hard chews like bully sticks (for puppies under 4 months), real bones, antlers, or any chew that doesn’t flex. The best options during active teething are puppy rubber chews and frozen items. After 6–7 months when adult teeth are fully in, you can transition to VOHC-approved dental chews appropriate for your dog’s size.