When you welcome home an adorable puppy, you may be focused on wiggly snuggles and the warm scent of puppy breath, not on incredibly sharp teeth. But, after a few days of being your pup’s favorite chew toy, you’re likely wondering if you adopted a puppy or a land shark. As your cute ball of fur naps next to you, you desperately search for information on when puppy teeth fall out, and how to survive the teething period. You’re in luck! We answer these questions and more about your puppy’s first set of teeth.

How many teeth do puppies have?

Puppies are born toothless, but their first set of teeth does not take long to poke through their gums. This set of baby, or deciduous, teeth is composed of 28 pointed teeth, which start appearing at 3 to 5 weeks of age. The incisors often come in first, followed by the canine teeth and the premolars, although some normal variation can be seen between individual pups. By 8 to 10 weeks, your puppy’s entire set of deciduous teeth should be in place. 

When do puppies start losing their baby teeth?

At that 8-week mark, you’re likely wondering how soon those sharp baby teeth will be replaced with less piercing adult, or permanent, teeth. You’ve got a bit of a wait—the first baby teeth don’t begin to fall out until around 4 months of age. Typically, the incisors will fall out first, and the canines fall out last, at around 6 months. However, some puppies don’t adhere to this schedule, and can begin losing their baby teeth earlier or later.

When do puppies get their adult teeth?

In general, puppies will get their adult teeth when their baby teeth fall out. So, when the deciduous incisors fall out, they’re actually being pushed out by the permanent teeth coming in behind. In a perfect situation, each deciduous tooth will fall out when the permanent tooth begins to erupt and take its place. 

Although a puppy’s baby teeth typically don’t start to fall out until 4 months of age, they can fall out earlier, with permanent teeth appearing as early as 2 months. However, most puppies follow this timeline for adult teeth eruption:

• 2 to 5 months — Permanent incisors can appear quickly in some dog breeds. Adult dogs will have 12 total incisors, six on top, and six on the bottom jaw.
• 5 to 6 months — Sharp baby canine teeth will make way for slightly duller adult canine teeth. Adult dogs will have four total canines, two each on top and bottom.
• 4 to 6 months — Premolars will make up the biggest tooth category when they are fully erupted. Adult dogs will have 16 total premolars, eight each on top and bottom.
• 4 to 7 months — Molars are the last to fully settle in. Adult dogs will have 10 total molars, four in the maxilla, and six in the mandible.
  

By the time a dog is 7 months old, they should have all their 42 permanent adult teeth.

How long do puppies display teething behavior?

As your new puppy chews vigorously on your chair legs, living room rug, and your shoes—while you’re wearing them—you’re likely hoping this teething behavior will end soon. Unfortunately, teething can last for months. Teething will start when your puppy’s first tooth comes in—from 3 to 5 weeks old—and usually ends at around 7 to 8 months, when all the adult teeth are fully erupted.

During your puppy’s teething period, provide plenty of chew toys to encourage appropriate chewing. Avoid bones, antlers, hooves, and other extremely hard chews that can damage your puppy’s teeth. Stick to rubber and nylon toys, or dental chews accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). 

What happens if my puppy’s baby teeth don’t fall out on their own?

Ideally, your puppy’s baby teeth will fall out when the adult teeth grow in behind them, pushing them out of place. However, some puppies, particularly toy and small breeds, will have persistent deciduous teeth that fail to fall out when the adult teeth grow in. This can cause numerous issues. Two sets of teeth can lead to dental disease, through the accelerated accumulation of plaque and tartar. Additional teeth can cause bite problems that can damage the tooth enamel, soft and hard palate, tongue, and gums. 

Although your puppy’s teeth may not fall out on their own, you should never pull them! Your puppy’s teeth have much longer roots than yours, and they can snap off and cause major problems, if left embedded in the gums. 

If your puppy’s deciduous teeth do not fall out on their own, they will need to be extracted, to allow for proper development and placement of the permanent teeth. Typically, extraction will take place during your puppy’s spay or neuter surgery. Most small breeds undergo surgery around 6 months, which is when most, if not all, the adult teeth have erupted. However, your veterinarian will recommend your pet’s best dental care. Schedule an appointment for an oral exam if you notice abnormalities in your puppy’s mouth.

How should I take care of my puppy’s teeth?

Although your puppy’s baby teeth will fall out, you should begin a dental care regimen the day you bring them home. Start slowly by acclimating your new pup to having their muzzle, lips, and gums touched, rewarding them for cooperating. Once your puppy is used to having their mouth handled, introduce a toothbrush and a small amount of pet-friendly toothpaste. 

In addition to teaching your puppy to accept toothbrushing, you can add dental treats and chews to their daily oral hygiene program. Choose dental products that display the seal of acceptance from the VOHC, which have been proven to slow plaque and tartar accumulation. 

Nothing is more effective than regular veterinary dental care for your puppy’s teeth. If you’re on the lookout for a veterinary dentist, or a primary care veterinarian to provide ongoing care for your furry pal, VetVet can help.

Sources:

‍https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/puppy-teeth-everything-you-need-know. PetMD. 2019.

https://us.virbac.com/home/our-products/pagecontent/product-selector/cet-enzymatic-toothpaste-dog-cat.html. Virbac. 2021.

http://vohc.org/VOHCAcceptedProductsTable_Dogs.pdf. Veterinary Oral Health Council. 2021.