# When Do Dogs Get Their Adult Teeth? A Timeline Most dogs start losing baby teeth and growing adult teeth at around 4 months of age, and the full set of 42 permanent teeth is usually in place by about 7 months [1]. Small and toy breeds often run a few weeks behind that schedule [2][3]. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Puppies have 28 baby teeth that begin erupting at 3 to 5 weeks of age [1]. - Permanent teeth usually start appearing at around 4 to 5 months, and all 42 are present by about 7 months [1]. - Breed size matters. Eruption happens later in small, toy, and flat-faced breeds [2]. - Persistent (retained) baby teeth are common, with an overall prevalence of about 7% in one large United States study, rising to 15% in extra-small breeds under 6.5 kg [4]. - Chewing, drooling, and mild gum soreness are normal during teething. Broken teeth, bad breath, and double rows of teeth are not. ## When Do Dogs Get Their Adult Teeth? The Full Timeline Dogs, like people, have two sets of teeth. The baby set (deciduous teeth) falls out, and the permanent set takes its place [1]. Tooth development actually starts before birth. Calcification of all the baby teeth begins around day 55 of gestation and finishes shortly after birth [5]. Here is the general schedule for an average-sized dog. | Age | What is happening | |---|---| | 3 to 5 weeks | Baby teeth begin to erupt [1] | | 6 to 8 weeks | Most or all 28 baby teeth are in | | 4 to 5 months | Permanent teeth begin to appear [1] | | 5 to 6 months | Baby canines and premolars loosen and fall out | | 6 to 7 months | All 42 permanent teeth are present [1] | | 7 months and older | Adult dentition is complete | The sequence of eruption is fairly consistent between breeds. The first permanent teeth to come through are usually the upper first premolars, the upper first incisors, or the lower first incisors [2]. Incisors tend to be replaced first, then premolars, then canines [3]. Breed size changes the timing. In one study of Yorkshire Terriers, dogs weighing 3 kg or less shed baby teeth and grew adult teeth later than dogs over 5 kg [3]. Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds also tend to be later than dogs with longer muzzles [2]. If your Chihuahua or French Bulldog is a month behind a Labrador of the same age, that can be normal. ## What to Expect Week by Week ### Weeks 3 to 8: Baby teeth arrive Puppies are born without teeth. The 28 baby teeth start coming through at 3 to 5 weeks [1]. By the time you bring your puppy home at 8 weeks, the full baby set is usually visible. These teeth are small, sharp, and needle-like, which is why puppy nips hurt so much. ### Months 4 to 5: The swap begins This is when most owners notice something. The permanent teeth start pushing through, and the baby teeth loosen. You may find tiny teeth on the floor, in the crate, or in a chew toy. Many puppies swallow them, which is harmless. ### Months 5 to 7: The busy stretch This is the messiest part of teething. Your puppy may drool more, chew everything in sight, and have slightly tender gums. Some puppies go off hard kibble for a day or two. Softening food with warm water for a few days is a reasonable comfort measure. By 7 months, all 42 permanent teeth should be in place [1]. If you count 28 baby teeth and 42 adult teeth, that is the full picture: 14 more teeth arrive with the adult set [1]. ### A note on the first molars One interesting detail: the lower first molar is the only permanent tooth that starts calcifying before birth [5]. The first premolars and the molars have no baby tooth counterparts at all. They develop directly from the dental lamina [5]. That means there is no baby tooth to fall out for those positions, so do not worry if you never see one. ## How to Protect the Adult Teeth Coming In The teeth erupting now have to last your dog's whole life. Puppy teeth are temporary, but adult teeth are permanent, and damage at this stage can cause problems for years. ### Set up a chew plan Chewing is how puppies relieve teething pressure and how they work loose baby teeth. Offer a mix of textures: firm rubber toys, rope toys, and safe edible chews sized for your puppy. Avoid anything harder than you can dent with a fingernail. Hard nylon bones, antlers, hooves, and rocks can fracture teeth. This matters more than most owners realize. Immature permanent teeth have thin dentin walls, incomplete root tips, and a high crown-to-root ratio [6]. A fracture that exposes the pulp in a young tooth can damage it permanently, and the long-term outlook for that tooth is poor if the pulp is lost [6]. If a young adult tooth does break, it is worth acting quickly. Vital pulp therapy and other treatments can sometimes save the tooth if done soon after the injury [6]. ### Brush early Get your puppy used to a toothbrush and dog-safe toothpaste during teething. Start with a finger brush and a few seconds a day. By the time the adult teeth are in, you want a routine you can keep for life. ### Watch for double teeth If a baby tooth is still sitting next to its adult replacement, that is a persistent deciduous tooth. These teeth do not fall out on their own and can cause a misaligned bite, soft tissue trauma, and a higher risk of periodontal disease [4]. They are also linked to retained root remnants that do not resorb and can cause problems around the permanent tooth [7]. Extraction is the usual fix, and the procedure is often straightforward. In one review of 305 deciduous canine extractions, a closed technique took less surgical time than an open technique without more complications [8]. ### Check the bite Malocclusion (a misaligned bite) is one reason veterinarians remove baby teeth early. In that same extraction review, 23.3% of deciduous canine extractions were done for interceptive orthodontics to treat malocclusion [8]. If your puppy's teeth look crowded or the jaw looks off, mention it at the next visit. ## Supplies and Setup That Actually Matter You do not need much, but a few items make teething easier and safer. - **A puppy toothbrush and dog toothpaste.** Never use human toothpaste. It contains ingredients dogs should not swallow. - **Chews matched to your puppy's size.** A chew that is too small is a choking risk. A chew that is too hard is a fracture risk. - **A towel or two.** Drooling is normal during teething, and some puppies leave wet spots where they sleep. - **A soft food option.** Canned food or kibble softened with warm water helps on sore days. - **A small flashlight.** You can peek at the back teeth and check for double teeth or broken tips. If your puppy is a small breed, pay extra attention. Extra-small dogs under 6.5 kg had a 15% prevalence of persistent deciduous teeth in one large United States study, compared with about 7% overall [4]. Yorkshire Terriers were also overrepresented among dogs with retained baby tooth root remnants [7]. That does not mean every toy breed has a problem, but it does mean a quick look every week is worth the effort. ## Signs Something Is Wrong Teething is usually mild. These signs are not. - **A double row of teeth.** Baby teeth still firmly in place next to adult teeth after the adult tooth has come through [4]. - **A broken tooth with a pink or red center.** That is exposed pulp, and it needs prompt care [6]. - **Bad breath that does not improve.** This can point to infection or a retained root. - **Swelling on the face or under the eye.** This can mean an abscess. - **Dropping food, chewing on one side, or refusing to eat for more than a day.** - **Bleeding that does not stop, or a tooth that is loose and hanging.** - **A retained baby tooth root.** These remnants do not resorb on their own and often cause changes around the permanent tooth [7]. ## Common Mistakes Owners Make **Mistake 1: Assuming all baby teeth fall out on their own.** Most do, but persistent deciduous teeth are common, especially in small breeds [4]. A quick check at every veterinary visit catches them early. **Mistake 2: Giving chews that are too hard.** A fractured immature tooth is a serious problem with limited treatment options [6]. If you cannot bend it or dent it, do not give it. **Mistake 3: Skipping the puppy dental exam.** Your veterinarian can spot retained teeth, bite problems, and early decay long before you notice anything at home. **Mistake 4: Waiting too long on a broken tooth.** Vital pulp therapy works best when it is done soon after the injury [6]. A delay of weeks can change the outcome. **Mistake 5: Comparing your puppy to a friend's puppy.** Breed size and skull shape both shift the timeline [2][3]. A slow schedule in a toy breed is often normal. **Mistake 6: Ignoring the mouth because the puppy seems fine.** Dogs hide dental pain well. A weekly look inside the mouth takes 30 seconds. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian Every puppy is an individual, and this timeline is a general guide. Your veterinarian can examine your dog's mouth and tell you whether the development you are seeing is on track. Contact your veterinarian the same day if you see a broken tooth with exposed pulp, a swollen face, bleeding that will not stop, or a puppy that refuses to eat for more than 24 hours. Go to an emergency clinic now if your puppy has trouble breathing, severe swelling around the throat or eye, or a suspected swallowed object that is causing distress. Schedule a routine visit if you notice a double row of teeth, bad breath, a retained baby tooth past 7 months, or a bite that looks uneven. Puppy visits are also a good time to talk about spay or neuter timing, since that decision often lands in the same window as the final teething stage. You can read more about it in [When to Spay or Neuter a Puppy: Optimal Age and Health Considerations](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/preventive-care/when-to-spay-neuter-puppy). If you are thinking long term, [How Long Do Dogs Live](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-long-do-dogs-live) covers average lifespans by size, and [At What Age Do Dogs Show Signs Of Arthritis](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/at-what-age-do-dogs-show-signs-of-arthritis) explains when joint problems tend to appear. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Do all dogs have their adult teeth by 7 months? Most do. The general rule is that all permanent teeth are present by about 7 months of age, though small, toy, and flat-faced breeds often finish later. If your dog is past 7 months and you still see baby teeth, ask your veterinarian to check for retained teeth. ### Is it normal for my puppy to lose teeth and bleed a little? Yes, mild bleeding and a little looseness are normal when a baby tooth comes out. Heavy bleeding, a tooth that hangs by a thread for days, or a puppy that seems painful is not normal and should be checked. ### Can I pull a loose baby tooth myself? No. Pulling a baby tooth at home can break the root and leave a fragment behind. Retained root remnants do not resorb and can cause problems around the adult tooth, so extraction is best left to your veterinarian. ### Why does my puppy have two rows of teeth? That means a baby tooth did not fall out when the adult tooth came in. This is called a persistent deciduous tooth, and it can cause bite problems and gum disease. Your veterinarian will usually recommend removing the baby tooth. ### Does teething cause diarrhea or fever in puppies? Teething can cause mild drooling, chewing, and a slightly reduced appetite, but it does not typically cause fever or significant diarrhea. If your puppy has a high temperature, vomiting, or loose stool lasting more than a day, that points to something else and needs a veterinary visit. ## Related Articles - [How Long Do Dogs Live](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-long-do-dogs-live) - [How Long Does A Dog Period Last](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-long-does-a-dog-period-last) - [How Long Do Dogs Live For](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-long-do-dogs-live-for) - [When to Spay or Neuter a Puppy: Optimal Age and Health Considerations](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/preventive-care/when-to-spay-neuter-puppy) - [At What Age Do Dogs Show Signs Of Arthritis](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/at-what-age-do-dogs-show-signs-of-arthritis) - [Preventative Dental Care For Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/dental-care/preventative-dental-care-for-dogs) ## References 1. [Dental Development of Dogs - Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/digestive-disorders-of-dogs/dental-development-of-dogs). Merck Veterinary Manual. 2. [Time and sequence of the replacement of the deciduous by the permanent dentition in dogs and its applicability for age estimation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36692220/). Anatomia, histologia, embryologia, 2023. 3. [Development of Yorkshire Terrier Dentition](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37505812/). Veterinary sciences, 2023. 4. [Persistent deciduous teeth: Association of prevalence with breed, breed size and body weight in pure-bred client-owned dogs in the United States](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38309195/). Research in veterinary science, 2024. 5. [Dental Development in Animals - Digestive System](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/dental-development-and-anatomy/dental-development-in-animals). Merck Veterinary Manual. 6. [Decision-Making and Management of Immature Permanent Teeth with Crown Fractures in Small Animals-A Review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34723676/). Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2021. 7. [Retained Deciduous Tooth Root Remnants in Dogs: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41762173/). Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2026. 8. [Closed Extraction of Deciduous Canine Teeth Required Less Surgical Time Without Increased Complication Rate Compared to an Open Technique in Dogs and Cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41863488/). Journal of veterinary dentistry, 2026. ## Further Reading - [Estimation of Age by Examination of the Teeth in Animals - Digestive System (Merck Veterinary Manual)](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/dental-development-and-anatomy/estimation-of-age-by-examination-of-the-teeth-in-animals) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners) - [Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center: Canine Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information)