Yes, Losing Baby Teeth Is a Normal Part of Growing Up
If you have found a tiny tooth on the floor or noticed a gap in your puppy’s smile and wondered, “is it normal for my puppy to lose teeth?” the answer is a happy yes. Just like human children, puppies are born without teeth, grow a set of baby teeth, and then lose them to make room for their adult set. It is a completely natural milestone.
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Puppies have 28 baby teeth (also called deciduous or milk teeth), and they shed all of them over a few months to be replaced by 42 permanent adult teeth. You may spot a lost tooth, but very often puppies swallow them harmlessly while eating, which is also normal and nothing to worry about.
So if your puppy is dropping teeth, chewing everything in sight, and drooling a bit more than usual, that is teething doing exactly what it should. There are a few things to keep an eye on, but for the most part this is a phase to support and ride out, not to fear.
Many owners feel a little jolt of panic the first time they spot blood on a chew toy or find a tiny tooth on the rug. Take a breath — both are classic, expected parts of teething. Understanding the timeline and what is normal turns this from a worrying surprise into a milestone you can guide your puppy through smoothly, while setting them up for a lifetime of good dental habits.
The Puppy Teething Timeline
Tooth development follows a fairly predictable schedule, though every puppy is a little different:
- 2 to 4 weeks — baby teeth begin to come in.
- 5 to 6 weeks — all 28 baby teeth are usually present.
- 3 to 4 months — baby teeth start falling out as adult teeth push through; the incisors at the front usually go first.
- 4 to 6 months — the canines and premolars are replaced.
- By around 6 to 7 months — most puppies have all 42 adult teeth in place.
The heaviest chewing and discomfort usually peak during these months, when little jaws are sore and itchy. For more on what is normal as those adult teeth come in, our guide to dog teeth falling out covers both puppy teething and tooth loss in older dogs.
Keep in mind that this timeline is a guide, not a stopwatch. Smaller breeds sometimes finish teething a little earlier, and larger breeds may run a touch later. A few weeks either side of these milestones is completely normal. What matters is the overall progression: baby teeth coming in, then loosening and falling out, then adult teeth filling the gaps. If your puppy seems roughly on track and is happy and eating, you do not need to worry about hitting each date precisely.
Normal Signs of Teething
Alongside losing teeth, teething puppies show several typical behaviors that are all part of the process:
- Increased chewing. Gnawing relieves sore gums, so expect your puppy to want to chew on everything.
- More drooling. A little extra slobber is common as teeth move.
- Mild gum bleeding. A small spot of blood on a toy or a faint pink tinge is usually normal as teeth fall out.
- Slightly reduced appetite. Sore gums can make some puppies eat a bit less briefly.
- Found or swallowed teeth. You may see a tooth or never find them at all — both are fine.
All that chewing is also why teething is the perfect time to teach good habits. Pairing safe chew outlets with gentle bite-control work, like the methods in our puppy bite inhibition training guide, helps your puppy learn what is okay to mouth and how to soften their bite.
When Tooth Loss Is NOT Normal
While teething is routine, a few situations call for a vet’s input. Contact your veterinarian if you notice:
- Retained baby teeth — an adult tooth coming in while the baby tooth is still firmly in place, most often with the upper canines. This can cause crowding and bite problems and may need removal.
- Adult teeth that look crooked, misaligned, or are causing the puppy to chew oddly.
- Significant or ongoing bleeding from the gums, rather than a small spot.
- Swollen, red, or very painful gums, bad breath, or signs of infection.
- A broken or cracked tooth, or a tooth knocked out by trauma.
- Refusal to eat for more than a brief period, or signs your puppy is in real pain.
Most of these are easily addressed when caught at a checkup, which is one reason regular vet visits during the puppy months matter. If your puppy ever has a dental injury or bleeding you cannot settle, our home pet first-aid guide can help you decide how quickly to seek care.
Your vet will naturally check your puppy’s mouth at their routine vaccination visits, which is a handy built-in opportunity to flag any concerns. It is also worth peeking inside your puppy’s mouth yourself every week or two during the teething months. You are looking for any baby tooth that is hanging on while an adult tooth has clearly arrived in the same spot, as well as any swelling, broken teeth, or a bad smell. Catching a retained tooth early means a simpler fix and a healthier adult bite.
How to Soothe a Teething Puppy
You can make this phase more comfortable for your puppy — and save your shoes — with a few simple strategies:
- Offer plenty of safe chew toys. Choose puppy-appropriate, durable toys; some can be chilled in the fridge to numb sore gums (avoid frozen-solid items that could crack teeth).
- Try a damp, frozen washcloth. A twisted, frozen clean cloth gives gentle, cooling relief many puppies love.
- Redirect inappropriate chewing. When your puppy mouths hands or furniture, calmly swap in a chew toy.
- Start gentle tooth care. Get your puppy used to having their mouth handled now, which makes lifelong dental care easier.
- Keep hazards out of reach. Teething puppies chew indiscriminately, so puppy-proof to protect both their teeth and your belongings.
All this chewing and mouthing can feel intense, but it passes. As your puppy moves through teething, our guide on whether it is normal for a puppy to bite so much pairs nicely here, since sore gums and nippy mouths often go hand in hand.
Building Lifelong Dental Habits During Teething
The teething months are the perfect time to set your puppy up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Even though those baby teeth are temporary, getting your puppy comfortable with mouth handling now pays off enormously later. Start by gently lifting their lips, touching their gums, and praising calm behavior, building up slowly over days and weeks.
Once your puppy accepts mouth handling, you can introduce a dog-specific toothpaste — never human toothpaste, which can be harmful to dogs — on your finger, then on a soft puppy toothbrush. Keep these early sessions short and positive so your puppy learns that dental care means treats and praise, not stress. A puppy who grows up used to tooth brushing becomes a dog you can actually care for at home.
Choosing appropriate chews matters for the adult teeth coming in, too. Very hard items like antlers, bones, and hard nylon chews can crack a puppy’s developing teeth, so stick to softer, vet-approved options sized for your puppy. Supervise chewing to make sure pieces are not being swallowed.
By pairing comfort, the right chews, and gentle dental care during teething, you guide your puppy smoothly through this milestone and lay the groundwork for strong, healthy adult teeth. It is a small investment of time now that protects your dog’s mouth for years to come.
Finally, try to keep the whole experience low-stress and positive for both of you. Teething is temporary, the chewing phase passes, and before long your puppy will be flashing a full set of shiny adult teeth. If you find yourself frustrated by chewed shoes or nipped fingers along the way, remember that your puppy is not being naughty — they are simply soothing a sore mouth the only way they know how. A little patience, plenty of safe chew outlets, and a calm, consistent response will carry you both through this phase and leave you with a happy, healthy-mouthed companion on the other side.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age do puppies lose their baby teeth?
Puppies typically begin losing baby teeth around 3 to 4 months of age and finish getting their 42 adult teeth by about 6 to 7 months. The exact timing varies by individual and breed.
Is it normal if I never find my puppy’s lost teeth?
Yes. Puppies often swallow their tiny baby teeth while eating, and this is completely harmless. Not finding the teeth is just as normal as discovering one on the floor.
Is some bleeding normal when puppies lose teeth?
A small spot of blood on a toy or a faint pink tinge on the gums is usually normal as baby teeth fall out. Significant or persistent bleeding, swelling, or severe pain should be checked by your vet.
What is a retained baby tooth and is it a problem?
A retained baby tooth is one that does not fall out as the adult tooth erupts, leaving two teeth in the same spot — most common with the upper canines. It can cause crowding and bite issues, so have your vet evaluate it, as removal is sometimes needed.
