Puppies lose their baby teeth between 12 and 16 weeks old, with the full set of 42 adult teeth in by 6 months. Finding a tiny tooth on the carpet is completely normal.
Key takeaways
- Baby teeth fall at 12 to 16 weeks; adults complete by 6 months.
- Puppies have 28 baby teeth; adults have 42.
- Extra chewing signals teething discomfort.
- Offer safe chew toys and frozen carrots for sore gums.
- See a vet if baby teeth remain past 7 months.
When Do Puppies Lose Their Baby Teeth?
From 12 to 16 weeks: incisors first, then canines and premolars. The adult set is usually complete by 6 months, though small breeds can run a few weeks late.
Puppy Teething Timeline: Week by Week
3 to 4 weeks: baby incisors emerge. 4 to 6 weeks: canines and premolars appear. 8 weeks: full set of 28 baby teeth in place. 12 to 16 weeks: baby teeth loosen and fall; adult incisors erupt. 16 to 20 weeks: adult canines and premolars come through. 6 months: full 42 adult teeth, including the back molars.
If your puppy seems ahead or behind by a couple of weeks, that is usually fine. Larger breeds often teethe slightly earlier than toy breeds.
How Many Teeth Do Puppies Have?
28 baby teeth by 8 weeks, replaced by 42 adult teeth: 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower. Dogs end up with more teeth than humans, including carnassial teeth designed for shearing meat.
What Are the Signs of Teething?
Excessive chewing on everything, drooling, small blood spots on toys, eating slowly, and pawing at the mouth. Some puppies go off their food for a day. Mild gum tenderness is expected; heavy bleeding, vomiting or lethargy are not teething and need a vet.
How Can I Help a Teething Puppy?
Provide rubber chew toys made for teething, frozen carrots, or a damp frozen flannel to numb sore gums. Frozen broth cubes (low salt) are another soothing option. Avoid hard bones, antlers and nylon chews during teething, as they can crack fragile new teeth.
Rotate toys to keep them interesting, and praise calm chewing so the puppy learns what is allowed. Never punish chewing; redirect to an approved toy every single time.
Should I Worry If I Never Find the Teeth?
No; most puppies swallow them harmlessly while eating. Only worry about broken teeth, persistent bleeding, or refusal to eat for more than a day.
What Are Retained Baby Teeth?
When a baby tooth stays beside the adult one, common in small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas. Retained teeth trap food and cause gum disease, so a vet may extract them, often during neutering.
Starting Dental Care Early
Get the puppy used to mouth handling from the start: lift lips, touch gums, reward calmly. Begin brushing once adult teeth arrive, using dog toothpaste (never human toothpaste) and a soft brush or finger brush. Dental chews approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council help between brushes.
Teething and Behaviour: What’s Normal
Teething puppies mouth everything, including hands and clothes. This is not aggression; it is how they explore and soothe their gums. Redirect consistently: the moment teeth touch skin, yelp or say “ow”, withdraw attention for a few seconds, then offer a chew toy.
Some puppies get grumpy when teething hurts, like overtired toddlers. Keep training sessions short during peak teething weeks and avoid face-handling games. Most puppies emerge from teething with their adult temperament intact; it is a phase, not a personality change.
When Teething Needs a Vet Visit
Book a vet check if two teeth occupy one spot past 7 months, if the bite looks wrong (jaw misaligned), or if an adult tooth breaks. Malocclusion (bad bite) is easier to assess once adult teeth are in, and early intervention prevents years of dental trouble.
Also see a vet for persistent bad breath beyond mild teething odour, facial swelling, or a puppy that cries while eating. These signal infection or injury, not normal teething.
FAQ
Do puppies lose teeth at 4 months?
Yes, 16 weeks is peak teething time.
Is bleeding normal?
Light spotting yes; heavy bleeding needs a vet.
When to start brushing teeth?
Once adult teeth arrive at 6 months.
Can teething make a puppy ill?
Vomiting or lethargy is not teething; see a vet.
What should a teething puppy not chew?
Avoid sticks, stones and hard bones.
Do all breeds teethe at the same age?
Larger breeds often start earlier; a month either way is fine.
