Is Your Puppy Chewing Everything in Sight?
If your new puppy has turned your favorite shoes into chew toys and seems to drool more than usual, they are likely teething. Just like human babies, puppies go through a predictable teething process where their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth come in. Understanding this timeline — and knowing how to care for your pup at each stage — can save your furniture and keep your puppy comfortable through this natural transition.
As recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), establishing a dental care routine during teething sets the foundation for a lifetime of oral health. This guide covers every stage of puppy teething, from the first baby teeth through the full set of adult teeth, with practical care tips for each phase.
Puppy Teething Timeline: Week by Week
Puppy teething follows a predictable schedule, though individual breeds may vary slightly. Small breeds often teethe earlier than large breeds, but the sequence remains consistent.
Weeks 3-4: Baby Teeth Emerge
Puppies are born toothless. Around 3 weeks of age, the first deciduous (baby) teeth begin to erupt. The incisors — the small front teeth — come in first, followed by the canines and premolars. By 6-8 weeks, most puppies have a full set of 28 baby teeth.
- Signs: Increased chewing on soft objects, mild gum redness
- Care: Provide soft teething toys. Introduce gentle gum massage with a clean finger
- Product tip: Start getting your puppy used to having their mouth touched. Use our RunyePet Dental Finger Wipes for gentle gum wiping — the soft texture soothes tender gums while building familiarity
Weeks 8-12: All Baby Teeth Present
At this stage, most puppies have 28 baby teeth and are exploring the world with their mouths. This is the ideal time to introduce daily dental care habits. The puppy is also typically going to their new home during this period, making it a critical window for training.
- Behavior: Intense chewing on anything available — fingers, furniture, leash handles
- Care: Provide frozen washcloths, rubber teething toys, and ice cubes. Supervise all chewing sessions
- Routine start: Gently wipe gums once daily with Dental Finger Wipes to remove milk residue and start the habit
Weeks 12-16: Baby Teeth Loosen & Fall Out
This is the active teething phase. The roots of baby teeth dissolve, and teeth begin to loosen and fall out. You may find tiny tooth-shaped objects on the floor — or your puppy may swallow them (which is normal and harmless).
- Signs: Dropping food, drooling more than usual, chewing more aggressively, occasional bleeding from gums, irritability
- Red flag: Some baby teeth may not fall out on time (retained deciduous teeth). If you see a baby tooth still present beside an adult tooth, consult your veterinarian — retained teeth can cause misalignment
- Care: Frozen carrots (supervised), rubber chew toys that can be refrigerated, and gentle gum wiping
Weeks 16-24: Adult Incisors & Canines Come In
The adult incisors appear first, followed by the long canine teeth. These are the "fang" teeth, and their eruption can be uncomfortable. Your puppy may be especially grumpy during this period.
- Behavior: More selective chewing — your puppy may prefer harder objects to relieve pressure
- Care: Offer safe, appropriately sized chew toys. Avoid bones or antlers that are too hard for puppy teeth
- Diet tip: If your puppy is reluctant to eat dry food, soften it with warm water or consider a high-quality wet food during this transition
Weeks 24-28: Full Adult Set (42 Teeth)
By 6-7 months, most puppies have all 42 adult teeth. The molars at the back of the mouth are usually the last to appear. Once the adult teeth are fully in, it is time to establish a real dental care routine.
- Milestone: 42 adult teeth total (20 upper, 22 lower) including 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, and 10 molars
- Transition: The chewing urge decreases, but the habit of daily dental care should continue
- Routine: Daily wiping with Dental Finger Wipes plus a sprinkle of RunyePet Dog Dental Cleaning Powder on food for enzymatic plaque prevention
How to Soothe a Teething Puppy: Practical Tips
Teething is uncomfortable, but you can make it easier for your puppy with these vet-recommended strategies:
- Frozen washcloths: Wet a clean washcloth, twist it, freeze it for 30 minutes, then let your puppy chew (supervised)
- Rubber chew toys: Kong-style toys stuffed with wet kibble and frozen provide hours of relief
- Gentle gum massage: Use a Dental Finger Wipe wrapped around your finger to massage gums — the textured fabric feels good on sore tissue
- Cold fruit: Frozen banana slices or chilled apple wedges (seedless) are safe, tasty options in moderation
When to Introduce Dental Products
Table: Recommended age to start each dental product
| Product Type | When to Start | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Finger wipes (gentle) | 8-10 weeks | Builds habit, soothes gums |
| Dental powder (enzymatic) | 4-5 months | Adult teeth emerging, needs plaque control |
| Dental cleaning kit | 6+ months | Full adult teeth, deeper cleaning possible |
Start with the Dental Finger Wipes as early as 8 weeks for gentle desensitization. Add Dental Cleaning Powder at 4-5 months when adult teeth come in. The full RunyePet Dental Cleaning Kit is perfect once all adult teeth are fully established.
FAQ: Puppy Teething
Do all puppy teeth fall out?
Yes, all 28 baby teeth are replaced by 42 adult teeth. The process typically completes by 6-7 months of age.
Is it normal for my puppy to swallow baby teeth?
Yes. Most puppies swallow their baby teeth while eating or chewing. This is completely harmless and you may never find any teeth on the floor.
When should I worry about retained baby teeth?
If an adult tooth has erupted but the baby tooth beside it has not fallen out within 2 weeks, see your veterinarian. Retained deciduous teeth can push adult teeth into abnormal positions and cause bite problems.
Can I brush my teething puppy's teeth?
Gentle wiping with a finger wipe is better than brushing during active teething. The bristles of a toothbrush can irritate already sore gums. Transition to brushing once all adult teeth are in.
Does teething cause bad breath?
Mild bad breath is normal during teething due to gum irritation and increased drooling. If the breath is foul (rotten egg or fishy smell), it may indicate infection — consult your vet.
The Bottom Line
Puppy teething is a manageable phase that lasts about 4-5 months. With the right timeline awareness, soothing techniques, and early dental habits, you can help your puppy transition to healthy adult teeth without unnecessary discomfort. Start with gentle finger wipes at 8 weeks, add enzymatic powder at 4 months, and build a daily routine that will keep those 42 adult teeth clean for life.
