Puppy Teeth Chart by Age: When Each Tooth Comes In and Falls Out

Published: August 22, 2026 | Last updated: August 22, 2026 | 8 min read

TL;DR

• Puppies get their first baby teeth around 2-4 weeks old and have all 28 by 6-8 weeks (AKC, 2026).
• Baby teeth start falling out around 12-16 weeks, and adult teeth finish coming in by 6-8 months (PetMD, 2026).
• Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth - 14 more than the 28 baby teeth they started with (AKC, 2026).
• Common teething symptoms include increased chewing, drooling, mild gum bleeding, and irritability.
• Frozen washcloths and vet-approved chew toys are the safest home remedies for sore gums.

What Is Puppy Teething?

Puppy teething is the process of a dog growing two full sets of teeth in its first year of life. The first set, called deciduous or baby teeth, erupts between 2 and 8 weeks of age. The second set, the permanent adult teeth, replaces them between roughly 3 and 8 months of age (AKC, 2026).

Every puppy goes through this twice: once as baby teeth push through the gums, and again as those baby teeth fall out to make room for permanent ones. Both stages can cause sore gums, drooling, and a strong urge to chew on anything within reach.

Puppy Teeth Chart

The chart below tracks tooth development from birth through the end of teething. Timing can shift by a few weeks depending on breed and size - small breeds tend to teethe slightly earlier, large breeds slightly later (PetMD, 2026).

If a puppy is past 8 months and still losing teeth or showing teething discomfort, a veterinary check is worth scheduling to rule out retained baby teeth.

Puppy Teething Symptoms

The clearest sign of teething is a sudden jump in chewing, but several other symptoms usually show up alongside it. Symptoms tend to cluster around two windows: 3-6 weeks (baby teeth coming in) and 12-24 weeks (baby teeth falling out, adult teeth coming in).

Common symptoms include:

• Increased chewing on toys, furniture, shoes, and hands
• Drooling more than usual
• Mild bleeding or small blood spots on chew toys (normal in small amounts)
• Red or slightly swollen gums
• Reduced appetite or reluctance to eat hard kibble
• Irritability, whining, or restlessness
• Finding small white teeth on the floor or in bedding

Missing teeth on the floor is not a cause for concern. Many puppies swallow loose baby teeth while eating or chewing, and that passes through the digestive system without issue (PetMD, 2026).

Home Remedies for Teething Puppies

The goal of any home remedy is to give sore gums something safe to press against. Effective options are simple, low-risk, and supervised.

Frozen washcloth: Wet a clean washcloth, wring it out, and freeze it for 30-60 minutes. The cold numbs sore gums the same way an ice pack helps a human toothache.

Chilled (not frozen solid) carrots: A refrigerated carrot gives some resistance for chewing without being hard enough to crack a tooth. Always supervise to prevent choking.

Rubber teething toys: Textured rubber toys designed for puppies flex slightly under bite pressure, which is gentler on developing gums than hard nylon or plastic.

Frequent, short chew sessions: Redirecting a puppy to an appropriate toy the moment it starts mouthing furniture or hands is more effective than one long session, since sore gums tire quickly.

Avoid anything frozen rock-solid, ice cubes as a primary chew item, or hard bones and antlers during active teething. These can chip developing teeth or, in the case of very hard objects, crack an adult tooth as it comes in (AKC, 2026).

When Do Puppies Get Their Adult Teeth

Puppies start replacing baby teeth with adult teeth around 3 to 4 months of age, and the process usually finishes by 6 to 8 months (PetMD, 2026). Incisors are almost always first, followed by canines, then premolars, with molars - which have no baby-tooth equivalent - coming in last around 5 to 6 months.

Large and giant breeds often finish slightly earlier than small breeds, since their teeth and jaws mature faster relative to body size (PetMD, 2026). A adult set totals 42 teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, and 10 molars.

A puppy that still has visible baby teeth alongside adult teeth past 7-8 months may have retained deciduous teeth. These don't fall out on their own and usually need a vet to remove them, since crowding can affect how the adult teeth align.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Puppy Teething

• Giving hard bones or antlers too early: These are dense enough to fracture an adult tooth as it's still setting into the jaw. Wait until all 42 adult teeth are in and stable.
• Ignoring persistent bad breath or bleeding: A little blood on a chew toy is normal; ongoing bleeding, swelling, or a foul smell can signal an infection and needs a vet visit.
• Skipping toothbrushing until teething ends: Getting a puppy used to a soft brush and dog-safe toothpaste during teething builds a habit that makes adult dental care much easier.
• Punishing chewing instead of redirecting it: Teething chewing is a physical need, not disobedience. Swapping the inappropriate item for an approved toy works better than scolding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Teeth Charts

How many teeth do puppies have?

Puppies have 28 baby (deciduous) teeth, all typically in place by 6 to 8 weeks of age (PetMD, 2026).

How many teeth do adult dogs have?

Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, and 10 molars (AKC, 2026).

At what age do puppies start losing their baby teeth?

Most puppies start losing baby teeth around 12 to 16 weeks (3 to 4 months) old, beginning with the incisors (PetMD, 2026).

When does puppy teething end?

Teething is usually complete by 6 to 8 months, once all 42 adult teeth have come in (AKC, 2026).

Is it normal for a puppy's gums to bleed while teething?

A small amount of blood on toys or in the water bowl is normal during tooth eruption. Heavy or ongoing bleeding is not normal and should be checked by a vet.

What if my puppy still has baby teeth at 8 months old?

This can mean a retained baby tooth, which doesn't fall out on its own. A veterinarian may need to extract it to prevent crowding or misalignment.

Can I give my puppy ice to chew during teething?

Ice cubes are hard enough to risk chipping a tooth. A frozen damp washcloth or chilled (not frozen) carrot is a safer alternative.

Key Takeaways

• Baby teeth erupt between 2 and 8 weeks; all 42 adult teeth are usually in by 6 to 8 months.
• Increased chewing, drooling, and mild gum bleeding are normal teething symptoms.
• Frozen washcloths and rubber teething toys are safer than ice cubes or hard bones.
• Retained baby teeth past 7-8 months should be checked by a veterinarian.