When Do Puppy Teeth Fall Out? A Helpful Teething Timeline for Aussie Dog Owners

Last updated: 7 October 2026.

When do puppy teeth fall out? Baby teeth usually start being replaced at around 3 to 4 months, with much of the change happening between 4 and 6 months. Most puppies have their adult teeth by about 6 to 7 months. These are approximate stages, rather than deadlines for every puppy.

Finding a tiny tooth can be a surprise. Increased chewing can also make this stage challenging at home. This puppy teething guide explains the timeline, suitable chewing outlets, retained baby teeth and when to ask your vet for help. For the wider behaviour picture, read our Puppy Mouthing Management Guide.

How many teeth do puppies have?

Puppies normally develop 28 baby teeth, also called deciduous or milk teeth. Adult dogs usually have 42 permanent teeth. The adult set includes additional teeth, including molars, which do not replace baby molars.

The small front teeth are incisors. Canines are the pointed teeth, and premolars sit behind them. Adult molars appear further back. Your vet can check whether teeth are erupting and meeting normally, without you needing to count or inspect every tooth yourself.

Puppy teething timeline: what to expect

Approximate age	What usually happens
3 to 4 weeks	The first baby teeth begin to appear.
6 to 8 weeks	The puppy usually has most or all of their 28 baby teeth.
Around 3 to 4 months	Baby teeth may start falling out as permanent teeth emerge.
4 to 6 months	Much of the replacement of baby teeth takes place.
About 6 to 7 months	Most puppies have their permanent teeth.

Individual timing varies. The incisors are generally among the first teeth replaced, but overlapping stages are common. A calendar cannot tell you whether a particular tooth is healthy or needs treatment. Arrange a puppy dental check at around 5 to 6 months, or earlier if something looks wrong.

Signs of puppy teething

You may notice more interest in chewing, a missing baby tooth or a small tooth left on a toy. Mild gum irritation can occur during tooth replacement. However, increased biting does not prove that teething is the cause. Puppies also mouth during play, exploration, frustration and overtired moments.

Do not dismiss ongoing pain, substantial bleeding, swelling or difficulty eating as normal teething. A puppy who suddenly resists handling or changes their eating habits needs veterinary assessment. Training cannot treat a sore mouth.

How to help a teething puppy chew appropriately

Set up the environment before the chewing starts. Put shoes, cables, children’s toys and other tempting objects out of reach. Use gates or a comfortable puppy area when you cannot actively supervise. For routines that combine chewing management with toilet breaks and rest, see Bringing a New Puppy Home, Part 3.

• Offer puppy chew toys suited to your puppy’s age, size and chewing style. Ask your vet if you are unsure about a product.
• Supervise new toys and chews. Remove items that split, shed pieces or become small enough to swallow.
• Avoid very hard objects such as bones, antlers and stones, which can damage teeth. Sticks and household items can create other injuries.
• Use chilled toys only as their manufacturer recommends. A frozen object is not automatically suitable for a puppy’s mouth.
• Rotate a small selection of suitable toys so there is an appropriate option nearby. Allow quiet time to enjoy them.

If your puppy picks up something unsuitable, calmly offer a suitable alternative or make a safe trade. Avoid chasing or forcibly pulling items from their mouth. If swallowing the item could be dangerous, contact your vet promptly. A trainer can help you practise trading before an urgent situation occurs.

Puppy teething and biting: use the same calm response

Hands, ankles and clothing should not become chew toys. Teething may add to a puppy’s need to chew, but it does not mean the family has to tolerate painful biting while waiting for adult teeth.

1. Pause the interaction and reduce movement where it is safe to do so.
2. Offer a suitable toy if you can do that safely.
3. If biting continues, create space using a gate or another safe barrier. Move away without forcing the puppy to stay in a distressing situation.
4. Once your puppy settles, offer a quieter activity and consider whether they need a toilet break or rest.

You do not need to stand still while being hurt. Avoid yelling, hitting, holding the muzzle closed or pushing fingers into the mouth. A short change in the situation is for safety and settling, rather than a timed punishment. Help a distressed puppy and review the setup.

Our puppy biting article explains everyday nipping at hands, ankles and clothing in more detail. You can also download the free Puppy Mouthing Factsheet to keep the response consistent across the household.

Rest, play and children during teething

Keep play manageable and give your puppy regular opportunities to rest in a comfortable, quiet space. An increasingly frantic puppy may need less stimulation. Adding more exercise is not always the answer. Brief training, sniffing and appropriate chewing can fit between rest periods.

An adult should actively supervise interactions with children. Use gates when supervision is unavailable or the puppy becomes mouthy. Children should not remove chews, handle a sore mouth or try to discipline the puppy. Let the puppy move away from contact.

Gentle tug may suit some puppies, but pause if the puppy grabs skin or clothing, becomes uncomfortable or cannot settle. Avoid rough hand wrestling. Choose games that keep teeth on toys and give both the puppy and the person an easy way to stop.

Retained baby teeth: when to contact your vet

If an adult tooth appears while the corresponding baby tooth remains, contact your vet for advice promptly. Do not wait for two rows of teeth to resolve at six months. Retained baby teeth can interfere with alignment and crowd the mouth. Your vet will assess whether treatment is needed.

Never try to pull a baby tooth out yourself. A loose-looking tooth may still have a root, and handling a painful mouth can hurt your puppy. A routine dental check around 5 to 6 months is useful, but visible problems justify an earlier appointment.

Other reasons to seek veterinary advice

• A broken tooth, a tooth touching the palate or another apparent injury.
• Persistent or heavy bleeding, swelling, discharge or marked bad breath.
• Difficulty eating, dropping food, pawing at the mouth or ongoing discomfort.
• An adult tooth beside a baby tooth, or concerns about missing or misaligned teeth.
• Sudden behaviour changes or reluctance to have the head or mouth touched.

Do not give human pain medicines or use teething gels unless your vet specifically recommends a suitable product for your puppy. If your puppy seems seriously unwell, cannot eat or drink, or has a significant injury, seek urgent veterinary advice.

Preparing for tooth brushing and mouth checks

Ask your vet when and how to introduce dental care. Start with brief, comfortable handling around the face and reward your puppy for choosing to stay involved. Stop if they pull away or show discomfort. Build gradually towards a dog toothbrush and toothpaste recommended by your vet. Do not force the mouth open or brush sore areas.

Puppy teething questions

Is it normal not to find any baby teeth?

Yes, you may never find them. Baby teeth can come out during eating or chewing and may be swallowed. Not finding a tooth does not mean it is retained. Your vet can check the mouth if you are unsure.

Will biting stop when the adult teeth arrive?

Not necessarily. Chewing and mouthing also involve play, learning, excitement and daily routines. Continue teaching appropriate outlets and rewarding calm behaviour. If biting is escalating, causing injuries or linked to guarding or handling, seek individual help rather than waiting for teething to finish.

Can a puppy keep chewing after seven months?

Yes. Chewing remains a normal canine activity. Persistent chewing does not automatically mean teething pain. Review suitable outlets, supervision and rest, and consult your vet if you suspect discomfort or a sudden change.

Puppy training support in Brisbane

Jordan Dog Training’s Puppy Preschool helps families practise positive training and everyday puppy skills. Our Puppy Set Up home consultation can help you organise routines, puppy areas and practical management. Contact our team for help choosing support. Dental concerns should always go to your vet.

Australian veterinary and welfare resources

• Greencross Vets: puppy teething and dental care.
• Forth Valley Vet Clinic: puppy dental checks and retained baby teeth.
• RSPCA Australia: puppy chewing.

Disclaimer: This article provides general training information. It is not veterinary advice and cannot diagnose or treat dental problems. Contact your veterinarian about pain, injuries, tooth development or other health concerns.