Overview
Puppies start losing their baby teeth at around three to four months old, with their complete set of adult teeth usually in place by six to seven months. As their new teeth come through, they may feel discomfort, drool or chew more than usual, and even have slight gum bleeding. Understanding this phase is important for knowing how to help a teething puppy by choosing the right chew toys and building good dental habits early. Knowing what’s normal during teething, like drooling, and what’s not, like retained baby teeth, means you can keep an eye on their dental health and step in when needed.
How long does puppy teething last?
Birth to eight weeks: Baby teeth development
Puppies are born toothless, but their baby and adult teeth are already forming inside the gums before birth. Their baby teeth, also known as milk teeth or deciduous teeth, start coming through at around three weeks old, and by eight weeks, they’ll have a full set of 28. Unlike adult teeth, baby teeth don’t include molars. This is because molars are for chewing and grinding, which young puppies don’t do very much. Instead, they mainly rely on their mother’s milk and soft foods.
12 to 30 weeks: transition to adult teeth
Once your puppy is around three months old, they’ll start experiencing some new dental developments:
12 to 16 weeks: The tiny incisors at the front start to loosen and fall out, making space for adult teeth.
16 to 24 weeks: The canines (fangs) are replaced as adult teeth push through.
24 to 30 weeks: The premolars come in, followed by the molars, completing the full set of 42 adult teeth.
Most puppies will have all their adult teeth by six to seven months old, though this can vary by breed. Larger breeds tend to get their adult teeth earlier, while some puppies may still be teething at eight months.
Puppy teeth chart
Our puppy teeth chart shows the dental anatomy of young dogs, detailing the three types of teeth and what each one is for.
Puppy teething symptoms
There are ways which let you know teething has started. Common puppy teething symptoms include:
Excessive chewing – Puppies chew more to ease teething discomfort.
Red or swollen gums – Gums may look inflamed as new teeth come through.
Drooling – Teething often causes extra saliva.
Occasionally bleeding gums – You might notice small spots of blood on chew toys or bedding.
Finding small, white baby teeth around the house – This might seem obvious, but many puppies swallow them without any problems. Some puppies may also experience less common teething signs, like a slight fever, a temporary dip in appetite, or feeling a bit more irritable than usual. Others may chew more gently to avoid irritating their sore gums, and mild gum inflammation can sometimes cause bad breath in puppies. If your puppy seems uncomfortable for a while, it’s a good idea to check in with your vet.
Pain relief for teething puppies
It can be upsetting to see your puppy in discomfort during teething, even if it is natural. To help your teething puppy, give these pain relief tricks a try:
Cold treats and frozen chew toys – Chilled rubber toys, frozen carrots, blueberries, green beans, or seedless watermelon can ease soreness while offering a healthy snack. A frozen mini bagel or a twisted, frozen wet kitchen towel can also provide gentle relief. However, avoid ice cubes, as they’re too hard and may damage teeth.
Offer a variety of teething toys – Soft rubber toys, plush toys, and toys with different textures help keep puppies interested and engaged. Setting up a rotation of toys can prevent boredom. Anything too hard might fracture your puppy’s teeth – a good rule of thumb is that if you can’t make a small impression or dent in the chew with your fingernail, it’s too hard for puppies.
Try food-filled chew toys – Kong teething sticks are designed to help puppies through this stage. Fill them with a soft dog food or meat paste (choose one without the sweetener xylitol, which is toxic to dogs) to encourage safe chewing and lots of fun.
How to manage your puppy’s chewing
Redirecting unwanted chewing
It’s important to manage chewing to keep furniture, shoes, and even hands safe. The best way to do this is by supervising your puppy, and redirecting them to something they’re allowed to chew if they start gnawing on something inappropriate. This will get them on the right track faster than telling them off would. Make sure your puppy has plenty of chew toys, and if they start chewing something they shouldn’t, gently swap it for an approved item. Repeatedly removing the same things can help them learn what’s okay to chew. If you notice your puppy chewing their paws, it’s especially important to step in and redirect them.
Puppy-proofing your home
Puppy-proofing your home is a great way to manage chewing. Keep everyday items like shoes, remote controls, and power cords out of reach. Creating a designated chewing area with plenty of toys can help your puppy satisfy their need to chew. If you decide to crate-train your puppy, this can be a great place to keep suitable chew toys.
How to discourage mouthing
If your puppy starts nibbling at your hands or clothing, calmly pull your hands away and avoid eye contact. This teaches them that biting doesn’t lead to play. If they keep trying, gently redirect them to a chew toy.
Play-time and enrichment
Keeping your puppy mentally and physically engaged can reduce how much they are chewing. A well-exercised puppy with a routine for playtime, training, and problem-solving games is less likely to chew out of boredom. Short training sessions with gentle play usually provide a positive outlet for their energy.
Using positive reinforcement
Avoid punishment. This can increase anxiety in puppies and dogs and actually make chewing worse. Instead, use positive reinforcement by rewarding your puppy when they chew the right things. This can help build good habits. Praise your puppy when they chew the correct item. Instead of punishment, use verbal cues like ‘leave it’ to let your puppy know when they are chewing things they aren’t meant to.
By following these strategies, you can help your puppy through teething while keeping your belongings safe. It’s also a great start towards your puppy’s lifelong healthy chewing habits.
Long-term chewing habits
Even after teething, chewing remains a natural behaviour for dogs. While it usually lessens after 12 months, many dogs remain highly motivated to chew throughout their life. High-energy and working breeds, in particular, may be more likely to chew throughout their lives.
Chewing can help keep teeth clean by reducing tartar buildup and supporting healthy gums. However, chewing isn’t just for teething. Your dog’s health and wellbeing also depend on chewing, as it has positive physical and mental effects. Chewing releases serotonin and dopamine – brain chemicals that are rewarding and calming. It can also relieve stress, helping dogs cope with anxiety or changes in their environment.
Offering chew toys throughout a dog’s life gives them a positive outlet for their natural behaviour and helps prevent destructive chewing on furniture or personal items. Getting them started on the right track as a puppy will help your dog steer clear of excessive chewing as an adult.
Puppy teething toys: what are the safest chew toys?
Look for soft rubber toys like the Kong Puppy. Textured toys with ridges or bristles, such as the Nylabone Puppy Chicken Bone, can help massage gums and provide additional relief during teething.
Freezable chew toys can be soaked and frozen to help ease sore gums. Stick to softer chew toys — ones that are too hard can damage their teeth. Some puppies can be very destructive with toys, so check them regularly and discard any which are becoming unsafe. Always try to keep an eye on your puppy while they chew to make sure they don’t swallow any broken bits.
Having a variety of toys with different textures and sizes keeps your puppy engaged and prevents boredom. Choose toys big enough that your puppy can’t swallow them, but not so large that it’s difficult to chew. If you’re unsure, ask your vet for recommendations.
Retained baby teeth in dogs
Most puppies lose their baby teeth naturally, but sometimes a few don’t fall out as they should. When this happens it’s called retained baby teeth, or sometimes double teeth. It happens most often with the canine (fang) teeth, but sometimes also with incisors and premolars.
Small breeds like Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and Pomeranians are more likely to have retained baby teeth, but it can happen to any puppy. Flat-faced dogs (also known as brachycephalic dogs) are also at a higher risk. Factors like delayed shedding, genetics, or injury can also play a role.
Can double teeth be a problem, and how do I spot it?
If retained baby teeth aren’t treated, they can cause misaligned adult teeth, tartar buildup, gum disease, and discomfort. If your dog’s mouth is overcrowded, plaque and debris can become trapped, making dental infections more likely.
Regularly check your puppy’s mouth. If a baby tooth is still there while an adult tooth is coming through beside it, it’s best to speak to your vet. Other symptoms to watch out for include trouble chewing, ongoing bad breath, and excessive drooling.
Treatment for double teeth
Vets usually recommend removing retained baby teeth to avoid long-term dental problems. This is best done as soon as possible, but if your puppy has a spaying or neutering appointment coming up, then your vet may do both at the same time. This reduces the need for multiple anaesthetic procedures.
Starting dental care with your puppy
The best way to keep your dog’s teeth healthy is to start good dental habits early. Puppies get used to handling more easily when they’re young, so starting dental care during teething will help make it easier to manage as they grow.
Start brushing their teeth early: Get your puppy comfortable with dental care by gently handling their mouth before introducing a soft-bristled toothbrush and dog-friendly toothpaste. Start slow, brushing just a few teeth at a time, and make it a positive experience with praise and rewards. Our full article on brushing your dog’s teeth goes into this much more thoroughly, and is just as relevant to puppies as to older dogs.
Supplement with dental chews: Dental chews aren’t a substitute for brushing, but they can help reduce plaque and freshen breath. Make sure you pick puppy-safe chews to ensure they’re safe and the right size. Remember that these chews can be high in calories, so adjust your puppy’s food intake accordingly if you use them regularly. Regular vet check-ups
Regular vet check-ups help keep your puppy’s teeth healthy. Your vet can spot issues like retained baby teeth, gum disease, or misaligned teeth and offer advice on long-term care. Starting good habits early makes dental care a simple, stress-free part of their routine and helps prevent problems later on.
Dental problems in puppies
Teething is natural, but some puppies may develop dental issues that need monitoring or vet care. Sometimes owners can mistake more serious issues for normal teething issues. It’s best to see your vet if you notice any of these dental problems:
Excessive bleeding –Teething often comes with a little blood, but heavy or ongoing bleeding should be checked by a vet.
Bad breath – Mild bad breath happens every now and then, but a strong, persistent smell could signal infection, trapped food, or dental disease.
High fever – A mild fever is normal during teething, but if your puppy’s temperature goes above 39°C and they seem lethargic, contact your vet.
Missing or undeveloped adult teeth – In rare cases, permanent teeth don’t develop properly, which can stop baby teeth from falling out. A vet can assess if treatment is needed.
Gum overgrowth blocking tooth eruption – Some puppies have thick gum tissue that stops baby teeth from coming through, which may need surgical correction.
Broken baby teeth – If a baby tooth fractures, bacteria can reach the root, possibly leading to infection and harming the developing adult tooth.
Displaced baby teeth - occasionally, baby teeth can grow at an angle, such as inwards towards the tongue or outwards towards the gums, causing irritation and pain.
If your puppy seems more uncomfortable than usual — refusing food, drooling excessively, or avoiding play — speak to your vet for advice. Acting early can help prevent long-term dental problems.
Need more help with puppy teething?
Puppy teething is natural but can be tricky at times. Understanding the timeline, spotting symptoms, and offering safe chew options can make it easier for your puppy. For more information on puppy teething, speak to your local vet or vet nurse.
Find your nearest vet using our find a vet page and, remember, Pet Health Club members get discounts on dental procedures.
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Published on 15/04/2025 • Reviewed on 15/04/2025