The timeline is a range, not a deadline
Puppies are born without visible teeth. Their 28 baby teeth emerge while they are still with their mother, then begin giving way to 42 permanent teeth as the puppy grows. Incisors usually change first, followed by canine teeth and premolars. Adult molars appear without replacing baby teeth. Breed, body size and the individual puppy can shift the timing, so use age as context rather than proof that every mouth change is normal.
- Around 3 to 4 months: the first small baby teeth may loosen or disappear.
- Around 4 to 5 months: chewing often becomes more persistent as several adult teeth emerge.
- Around 5 to 7 months: adult canine teeth, premolars and molars continue appearing.
- By about 6 to 7 months: most puppies should have their adult set, though a veterinary mouth check matters more than a calendar.
What ordinary teething may look like
You may find a tiny tooth on the floor, but many puppies swallow baby teeth without anyone noticing. Mild gum redness, brief spots of blood on a toy and a stronger urge to chew can occur. Teething also overlaps with a period when puppies investigate almost everything with their mouths. That means not every stolen sock or bitten chair leg is caused by sore gums.
Offer several puppy safe textures and rotate them before the puppy starts looking for furniture. Choose items too large to swallow and supervise anything that can split, fray or lose pieces. If you cannot press a thumbnail into a chew at all, ask your veterinary team whether it is too hard for developing teeth. Do not apply human numbing gels or give human pain medicine.
Teething and biting people are related, but not identical
A sore mouth can make mouthing more frequent, yet play, excitement, frustration and tiredness also drive puppy biting. Use the puppy biting guide for hands, sleeves and ankles. This page owns tooth development and mouth checks, not a second bite training plan.
Look for two teeth occupying one position
A retained baby tooth can sit beside the adult tooth, creating a double row. This is especially easy to notice around the canine teeth. Crowding can trap debris and alter how the teeth meet. Do not pull a loose or retained tooth at home. Photograph what you see and ask your veterinarian to examine it.
Call sooner when the mouth looks painful or damaged
- The puppy repeatedly paws at the mouth, cries while chewing or suddenly avoids food.
- A tooth is fractured, dark, displaced or missing after an impact.
- There is facial swelling, a foul new odor, discharge or bleeding that continues.
- An adult tooth is erupting beside a baby tooth that has not fallen out.
- The puppy cannot close the mouth normally or seems unable to pick up food.
- Chewing is accompanied by vomiting, choking, abdominal pain or concern that part of an object was swallowed.
Keep the object or a photograph if something broke. A swallowing or choking concern is not a teething question, even if chewing caused it. Contact a clinic promptly and describe exactly what may be missing.
A useful weekly mouth check
In good light, lift the lips without forcing the jaw open. Note gum color, visible double teeth, broken edges, swelling and whether the puppy eats and chews on both sides. A ten second look once a week is more useful than repeatedly handling a sore mouth. Pair it with a treat and stop if the puppy pulls away.