Puppy Teething - Greencross Vets

Puppy Teething Guide

Teething is part of your puppy’s growth and development, but it can be a stressful time for both pets and their owners. Knowing what to expect, including how long puppy teething lasts and how to care for your teething puppy, will help make this part of your lives easier and set your pet up for good dental health for years to come.

When Do Puppies Start Teething?

Just like human babies, puppies are born without any teeth. Their baby teeth – also known as deciduous teeth or milk teeth – start to come through when puppies are around 3 to 4 weeks old. These tiny teeth are surprisingly sharp and will help your puppy transition to solid foods.

By 8 weeks, most puppies will have a full set of 28 baby teeth. They are temporary, though, and from around 4 to 5 months of age, puppies will start to lose them to make way for their adult teeth. The puppy teething phase is entirely normal, but can cause a little discomfort and maybe even some changes to their behaviour.

How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have?

Puppies have 28 baby teeth in total, including their incisors, canines and premolars. As they grow up, the baby teeth are gradually replaced by 42 adult teeth. Adult dogs have:

• 12 incisors
• 4 canines
• 16 premolars
• 10 molars.

Puppies lose their baby teeth just like humans. So, finding a small tooth on the floor or noticing a missing tooth in your puppy’s mouth isn’t something to worry about. In fact, it’s very common for puppies to swallow their baby teeth while eating or chewing on a toy – and it’s entirely safe.

Puppy Teething Timeline

Here’s what to expect when your puppy is teething:

• 0–2 weeks: Puppies have no visible teeth.
• 3–4 weeks: First baby teeth (incisors) start to appear.
• 8 weeks: A full set of 28 baby teeth are in place.
• 4–5 months: Teething begins as their baby teeth start to fall out.
• 5–7 months: Adult teeth erupt, starting with the incisors, followed by canines, premolars and molars.
• 6 months: It’s time to book a dental check-up with your vet to make sure their adult teeth are coming in properly.
• 7 months: Your puppy should have a full set of 42 permanent teeth.
• 12 months: Set up annual dental checks with your vet to stay on top of their oral health.

Puppy Teething Symptoms

Teething can be slightly uncomfortable for your pup. While the process itself isn’t usually painful, the sensation of teeth pushing through their gums can, understandably, cause some distress. Some puppy teething symptoms include:

• Red or inflamed gums.
• Drooling and noticeably bad breath.
• More chewing and gnawing behaviour.
• Bleeding gums (you might notice specks of blood on their chew toys).
• Missing teeth.
• Lower appetite.
• Fussiness or a worse mood than usual.

How Long Do Puppies Teethe For?

Puppy teething usually lasts from around 3 weeks of age until they are around 6 to 7 months. Their chewing behaviour will likely continue past this period out of habit or boredom, so make sure you establish good chewing habits from the outset.

Teething is a very important stage in your puppy’s development, so patience and positive reinforcement will go a long way.

How to Help a Teething Puppy

Caring for your puppy during teething can make a big difference in their comfort and dental development. Here are some simple, vet-approved strategies:

• Give soft chew toys designed for teething puppies, which can help massage their gums and limit their discomfort.
• Try puppy teething gel (if recommended by your vet) to help soothe sore gums.
• Use frozen toys or damp cloths. Freezing a wet tea towel or puppy-safe toy can give them some cooling relief for sore gums.
• Avoid hard bones or sticks, which can easily damage their developing teeth.
• Redirect inappropriate chewing using positive reinforcement. If your puppy starts chewing on shoes or furniture, guide them back to an appropriate toy.

Want more advice on dental care? Read our helpful pet dental care guide and dog teeth brushing tips.

When to See the Vet

While teething is a normal stage of growth, there are times when you might need to turn to veterinary care. If your puppy shows signs of infection (e.g. red gums with discharge), excessive bleeding or ongoing pain, book an appointment with your vet.

A common teething concern is retained baby teeth. This happens when baby teeth haven’t fallen out, but the adult teeth are starting to emerge. It can cause ‘overcrowding’ or teeth misalignment, so make sure you get them checked and removed if necessary. Regular dental checks during and after the teething period are the best way to prevent issues like tartar build-up or crooked teeth.

What to Expect at a Puppy Dental Check-Up

During your puppy’s dental exam, your vet will probably do the following:

• Check for crooked or retained teeth that can impact chewing.
• Examine the mouth for jaw issues (especially in short-muzzled breeds).
• Check for signs of bad breath, which could indicate an infection.
• Look for broken or fractured teeth.
• Check for swollen/bleeding gums.
• Inspect any plaque and tartar build-up, although these are rare in puppies.

Your vet will also advise you on setting up a regular dental care routine and when to begin brushing your dog’s teeth.

Book a Dog Dental Check Today

Book your puppy’s dental check-up at your local Greencross Vets. It’s the first step in giving them the best start to life.

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