When do puppies lose their baby teeth: the age timeline
Most puppies start losing their baby teeth at about 3.5 to 4 months old, and by 6 to 7 months the adult set is usually complete. VCA Animal Hospitals puts the count at 28 deciduous teeth going out and 42 permanent teeth coming in.
The deciduous incisors go first, which is why the front of the mouth looks patchy weeks before anything changes at the canines.
The puppy teething timeline by age
Puppies are born with no visible teeth. Deciduous teeth start erupting around three weeks of age and have normally finished erupting by six weeks, according to VCA.
Then the mouth stays quiet for two months or so before the swap begins.
| Age | Teeth stage | Vet check advised |
|---|---|---|
| Birth to about 3 weeks | No visible teeth | Routine puppy visits only |
| About 3 to 6 weeks | 28 deciduous teeth erupt, finished by 6 weeks | Routine puppy visits only |
| About 3.5 to 4 months | Deciduous incisors start being replaced by permanent incisors | Weekly check at home |
| About 4 to 6 months | Canines and premolars change over | Book a visit if a baby tooth sits beside its adult replacement |
| 6 to 7 months | Most puppies have all 42 permanent teeth | Ask your vet about any baby tooth still in place |
| 7 to 8 months | Adult set settled | VCA suggests weekly mouth checks up to this age |
All stage timings above come from figures published by VCA Animal Hospitals. Individual puppies vary, and your own vet has the final say on your dog.
Where the baby teeth actually go
Video: VCA Animal Hospitals
Adult teeth develop from tooth buds in the jaws and press against the roots of the baby teeth, which resorb until only the hollow crown is left. That crown drops out on its own.
You might find one in the bedding. More often your puppy swallows it while eating, with no ill effect.
Signs a baby tooth has overstayed
A persistent deciduous tooth is one that has not fallen out while its permanent replacement is erupting. VCA reports the upper canines as the most common, followed by the lower canines, then the incisors.
The visual cue is two teeth in one spot: a thin baby canine sitting just in front of a thicker adult one. VCA states plainly that no two teeth should be in the same place at the same time.
That is a reason to call your vet rather than wait it out, since persistent teeth are usually extracted promptly to protect the bite. Nothing here is a diagnosis for your dog.
Caring for a teething mouth
Gums are sensitive while teeth are erupting, so gentle handling matters more than pressure. VCA recommends starting dental care as soon as you bring a puppy home, which makes this the easiest window you will ever get to build the habit.
Start with a finger and a soft brush, and follow a routine that sticks rather than a perfect technique. Our guide on how to brush a dog’s teeth breaks the steps down for a wriggly puppy.
Frequency counts more than duration once the adult teeth are in, and the numbers behind how often to brush a dog’s teeth are worth reading before you settle on a schedule.
Chews get handed out freely during teething, so it helps to know what they do and do not replace. Our comparison of dental chews versus toothpaste covers where each one fits.