Puppy Teething: Timeline, Comfort and When to See a Vet
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By Dr Duncan Houston
Finding a tiny tooth on the floor can be surprising. For most puppies, changing teeth is a normal stage, but it helps to distinguish ordinary chewing from a mouth problem that needs treatment.
Quick Answer
Puppies usually begin growing baby teeth at about three weeks, then replace them with adult teeth from around three to four months. Most have their adult teeth by roughly six to seven months. Offer appropriately sized, flexible chew toys and gentle handling; marked pain, poor appetite, a broken tooth or a baby tooth remaining beside its adult replacement needs veterinary advice.
What happens as teeth change?
Veterinary guidance on puppy dentition describes 28 baby teeth and up to 42 permanent teeth. Timing varies, so these ages are guides rather than deadlines for every tooth.
| Approximate stage | What you may notice |
|---|---|
| Three to eight weeks | Baby teeth emerge as the puppy begins eating solid food. |
| Three to four months onward | Baby teeth loosen and adult teeth begin appearing. |
| About six to seven months | Most permanent teeth are present; the mouth should be checked for retained or abnormal teeth. |
You may never find a shed tooth because puppies commonly swallow them without a problem. A small blood mark on a toy can accompany tooth loss, but ongoing bleeding is not something to dismiss.
Teething does not explain every symptom
Some extra chewing and mild gum sensitivity can occur. Puppies also mouth objects to explore and may nip during play, excitement or tiredness.
Fever, diarrhoea, repeated vomiting, profound lethargy or significant refusal of food should not be labelled teething. Young puppies can deteriorate quickly, particularly if they are small or unable to keep water down. Contact your vet promptly.
Severe bad breath, facial swelling, pus or obvious pain may indicate injury, infection or another dental problem. Even a puppy that still eats can have a painful tooth.
Choose comfort without creating a new hazard
Offer a flexible puppy-appropriate rubber toy that is too large to swallow whole. Observe how your puppy uses it and remove it if pieces break away. No chew is safe for every dog.
AAHA's chew-safety advice warns that very hard objects can fracture teeth and swallowed pieces can cause obstruction. Avoid bones, antlers and rigid chews. A fingernail indentation or ability to flex is a useful screening check, not a guarantee.
A chilled suitable toy may be soothing. Avoid items frozen rock hard, and do not leave cloth or rope with a puppy that shreds and swallows fibres. Toys should match chewing style as well as age.
Do not apply human teething gels or give human painkillers. If comfort measures are insufficient, your vet should assess the mouth and select treatment.
A practical response to nipping
- Keep an appropriate toy within reach during play.
- Offer it before the puppy becomes overexcited.
- If teeth contact skin, calmly pause and create a brief safe break.
- Resume gentle interaction when the puppy can engage without biting.
- Review sleep, toileting, hunger and stimulation if nipping keeps escalating.
Do not hold the mouth shut, hit the puppy or force a confrontation over an object. Teach a rewarded trade and manage access to tempting items. Reward-based training guidance supports teaching alternatives while preventing repeated mistakes.
Use gates and supervision to protect electrical cables, medicines, shoes and children's toys. Bitter sprays cannot replace puppy-proofing, and some dogs ignore them.
Check for two teeth in one position
If an adult tooth appears while the corresponding baby tooth remains, arrange a veterinary mouth examination promptly. Do not wait until eight months or assume it can always wait for desexing.
AAHA dental guidance highlights that timely treatment of persistent baby teeth can prevent more extensive problems. The vet will also assess the bite and whether teeth contact the gums or palate abnormally.
Never pull a baby tooth at home. Its root may break, and inappropriate handling can damage surrounding tissue or the developing adult tooth.
Introduce toothbrushing gently
Build from a brief lip lift to touching the outer teeth with a soft brush and dog toothpaste. Reward cooperation and aim for daily brushing as comfort allows. Avoid scrubbing sore eruption sites; ask your vet how to adapt during active teething.
Chew toys do not replace brushing or oral examinations. Keeping the experience comfortable now makes lifelong dental care easier.
Frequently asked questions
Will chewing end when adult teeth arrive?
No. Chewing remains normal behaviour, so safe outlets still matter.
Is a swallowed baby tooth dangerous?
Usually not. A swallowed toy or other object is a different concern and warrants advice.
Should I wait two days if my puppy will not eat?
No. Seek prompt advice, especially for a young, small or unwell puppy.
Can tug games loosen teeth?
Keep play gentle and stop if it causes discomfort; never use force to remove a tooth.
Most teething passes with simple comfort and supervision. Regular mouth checks help you catch the exceptions early.
For help understanding your puppy's dental-care questions, visit ASK A VET™. Significant pain, poor intake or a suspected swallowed object needs veterinary assessment.
