- Teething: 12 to 16 weeks of age through to month 6–7
- 28 baby teeth replaced by 42 permanent teeth
- Soft chew items, frozen carrots, no hard bones
- Persistent baby teeth from month 7 onwards must be removed by the vet
Puppies are born toothless. Baby teeth grow in during the first weeks, then from the third month they begin to fall out as permanent teeth push through. By 6 to 7 months all 28 baby teeth should be replaced by 42 permanent ones.
When does each tooth appear? The schedule
Teething follows a fixed sequence. Small deviations of a few weeks are normal:
| Tooth group | Baby teeth erupt | Teething begins | Permanent teeth complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisors | Weeks 3–4 | Weeks 12–16 | Months 4–5 |
| Canines | Weeks 4–6 | Months 4–5 | Months 5–6 |
| Premolars | Weeks 5–6 | Months 4–5 | Months 4–6 |
| Molars | No baby tooth | Months 5–7 |
The molars have no baby tooth predecessor. They erupt completely fresh and are sometimes responsible for pain that owners cannot place.
28 vs. 42: anatomy of the dog's mouth
Adult dogs have noticeably more teeth than puppies:
- 28 baby teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 12 premolars (no baby molars)
- 42 permanent teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, 10 molars
The molars exist only as permanent teeth. They have no baby tooth precursor and must create their own space in the jaw.
Symptoms during teething
Much like human infants, puppies find teething uncomfortable. The following symptoms are normal and no cause for concern:
- Increased drooling (more than usual)
- Strong urge to chew, the puppy bites on everything
- Mild gum bleeding when chewing
- Short-term reduced appetite due to jaw discomfort
- Slight irritability and quicker exhaustion
- Occasionally finding fallen baby teeth in the bowl or on the floor
What is not normal and calls for a vet visit:
- Fever above 39.5°C lasting more than 24 hours
- Heavy gum bleeding that does not stop
- Two teeth side by side (baby tooth has not fallen out)
- Unpleasant mouth odour despite normal feeding
- Puppy barely eats for more than two days
How to support your puppy
Chew items and cooling
Chew items specifically designed for teething, made from natural materials, help relieve the pressure. Important: no added sugar, not too hard, to protect the sensitive mouth.
Cooling alternatives from the fridge:
- Frozen carrot pieces: cool the gums and provide vitamins
- Teething rings from the fridge (not the freezer): evenly cooling
- Frozen cottage cheese in small portions: soft, cooling, tasty
- Ice cubes made from chicken broth: occupation and cooling combined
Why start dental care now?
Vets recommend starting dental care exactly during the teething phase. Puppies are curious at this age and accept new experiences more readily than at 18 months. Starting consistently now makes adult dental care much easier.
Steps:
- Dip a finger in water and gently touch the gums
- Introduce a finger toothbrush with dog toothpaste
- Get used to a regular toothbrush, short sessions of 30 seconds
- Repeat daily, reinforce positively
Human toothpaste is toxic to dogs. Always use dog toothpaste.
Avoid tug-of-war and hard bones
Tug-of-war games stress the sensitive mouth and can pull out baby teeth prematurely and abruptly. This disrupts the positioning of permanent teeth. Hard bones and dried chews can cause pain with loose baby teeth and put the puppy off eating.
Alternatives for enrichment: snuffle mats, retrieve training with soft toys, garden scent games.
Persistent baby teeth: the biggest risk
When individual baby teeth do not fall out in time, they are called persistent baby teeth. This happens when the baby tooth's root does not fully dissolve and the permanent tooth erupts next to it. Two teeth then stand at one location in the mouth.
This causes:
- Crowding that makes cleaning impossible
- Food debris trapped in narrow gaps
- Gum inflammation up to periodontitis
- Misalignment of the permanent tooth
Persistent baby teeth must be extracted by the vet under anaesthesia. The sooner it happens, the better: from month 7 onwards, correct positioning of the permanent tooth becomes significantly harder.
Particularly at risk: small breeds such as Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle. In brachycephalic breeds (Pug, Bulldog, French Bulldog) the shortened jaw adds further complications.
Feeding during teething
Soft food eases the pressure on the sensitive mouth. Soak dry food briefly in warm water until it softens. Wet food or home-cooked soft food (chicken, rice, cottage cheese) are good alternatives.
If the puppy barely eats for more than two days, or shows bad breath combined with fever, a vet visit is needed: both can point to an infection in the jaw area.
Breed differences: who needs more monitoring?
Small breeds often finish 2–4 weeks later than large breeds and have more teething complications:
- Persistent baby teeth: Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Spitz
- Crowding and dental misalignment: Pug, English Bulldog, French Bulldog
- Early periodontitis due to a cramped jaw: all small breeds
Large breeds such as Labrador, German Shepherd or Great Dane rarely have teething problems. Their jaw offers enough space for 42 teeth.
Related Topics
Quick Quiz
Question 1 of 3By when should the teething process in puppies be complete?
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