Does Puppies Grow Teeth? A Comprehensive Guide to Puppy Teething

From curious puppy owners wanting to know how to brush their pup’s teeth to those wondering when their pup will cut its first set of pearly whites, the process of puppy teething is shrouded in mystery. But, when it comes to teething, puppies are not all that different from human babies. As with human infants, puppies go through a teething period as they grow and develop. In this comprehensive guide, we'll take a look at puppy teething, exploring when puppies start developing their teeth, what to expect during this process, and more.

When Do Puppies Start Growing Teeth?

Puppies begin teething between 3-4 weeks old when the first set of milk teeth, or deciduous teeth, start emerging. This set of teeth typically includes 28 baby teeth, which include 12 incisors, 4 canines, and 12 molars. The process of these teeth coming in is commonly referred to as “eruption” and is similar to the way human babies go through the process of teething.

As the puppy grows, these milk teeth will eventually be replaced by its permanent teeth which usually start coming in around 8 weeks of age. This set of permanent teeth typically includes 42 adult teeth, which include 16 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, and 6 molars. The process of these teeth coming will also follow the same pattern of eruption.

Signs That Your Dog is Teething

It's important to know the signs of teething so that you can ensure your pup has the best possible experience as he or she grows and develops. Here are some of the common signs that your pup might be teething:

Sore gums – much like when human babies are teething, the gums may become inflamed and sore as the teeth start to come in.

Drooling – you may notice an increase in drooling as the puppy’s mouth begins to fill up with teeth.

Chewing everything in sight – puppies often chew on things to relieve the pain and discomfort of teething.

Loss of appetite – some puppies may experience a decrease in appetite when teething as the pain in their mouths makes eating uncomfortable.

How to Help Your Puppy Through the Teething Process

It's important to do everything you can to make sure your pup has a positive experience with teething. Here are some tips for helping your pup through the process:

Provide chew toys - provide your pup with a variety of safe, appropriate chew toys to chew on. This will help distract your pup from the discomfort of teething as well as help keep their teeth strong and healthy.

Brush their teeth – brushing your pup’s teeth regularly can help keep their teeth clean and healthy. Be sure to use a toothpaste that is specifically formulated for puppies.

Give them plenty of love and attention – teething can be a stressful time for puppies so it’s important to give them plenty of love and attention during this time. This will help keep them calm and ensure that they have a positive experience with teething.

Conclusion

Puppy teething is a normal part of the natural growth and development of a pup. It's important to know the signs to look out for and to provide your pup with the right tools, like chew toys and toothbrushes, to ensure they have a positive experience with teething. With a little bit of love and patience, you can help your pup through the teething process with ease.

Puppy Teeth Everything You Need To Know