Puppy Teething Timeline: What Happens, and When
Professionally reviewed
Quick answer
Baby teeth erupt starting around 3 weeks and are usually complete by 6 weeks; permanent teeth begin replacing them around 12 weeks, with different tooth types erupting at different points through about 6 months. What changes the answer: individual and breed variation — this is a general timeline, not a guarantee for your specific puppy.
The Full Timeline
| Age | What's Happening |
|---|---|
| ~3 weeks | Baby (deciduous) teeth begin erupting |
| ~6 weeks | Baby teeth usually fully in (28 total) |
| 8–10 weeks | Full set of baby teeth, no active eruption — typical age for coming home with a new owner |
| ~12 weeks | Permanent teeth begin erupting; baby teeth begin falling out — the more intense teething phase starts |
| ~3–5 months | Permanent incisors (front teeth) typically erupt |
| ~4–6 months | Permanent canines typically erupt |
| ~4–6 months | Permanent premolars typically erupt |
| ~6 months | Most puppies have a full set of permanent teeth (42 total) |
Individual and breed variation is real — this table describes typical timing, not a guarantee.
Why the Tooth-Type Breakdown Matters
Teething isn't one single event — it's a series of overlapping eruptions across different tooth types over several months. That's part of why the most intense chewing phase (roughly 12 weeks to 6 months) can feel like it drags on: different teeth are coming in at different points throughout that whole window, not all at once.
Watching for Retained Baby Teeth
As permanent teeth come in, the baby tooth in that spot should fall out around the same time. Sometimes it doesn't — a "retained" baby tooth sitting alongside an erupting permanent tooth can force the permanent tooth into an abnormal position, leading to crowding or bite problems if not addressed.1 Checking your puppy's mouth weekly through about 7–8 months is a reasonable habit specifically to catch this.1
What to Watch For, by Stage
- 8–10 weeks: full set of baby teeth, no action needed unless something looks abnormal
- 12 weeks onward: watch for any baby tooth still present next to a visibly erupting permanent tooth
- Ongoing through 7–8 months: weekly quick mouth checks
- 6+ months: confirm with your vet (often at a routine visit) that all permanent teeth are in and no baby teeth remain
What to Do Today
- Do a quick, gentle mouth check if your puppy is in or near the 12-week-plus window.
- Note the date if you spot anything that looks like a retained tooth so you can mention it at the next vet visit.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming teething is "done" once the most obvious chewing phase eases, without checking that all baby teeth actually fell out.
- Not noticing a retained tooth until it's caused crowding.
When to Call Your Veterinarian
Any baby tooth visibly still present alongside an erupting permanent tooth in the same location; teeth that look crowded or crooked as permanent teeth come in; any of the general concerning signs listed on the Puppy Teething hub.
Want help with the intense chewing phase?
See what's actually driving your puppy's chewing and what helps.