Lifetime health & preventative care
Puppy teeth, teething & retained baby teeth
Support safe chewing and know when developing teeth need assessment.
A changing mouth
Puppies have deciduous, or baby, teeth that are replaced by adult teeth as they grow. Timing varies; a vet can assess development at puppy appointments. Teething may increase chewing, but marked pain, swelling or inability to eat should not be assumed to be normal.
A small change during tooth replacement
A tiny, brief red stain on a chew toy can occur as a baby tooth falls out. Puppies often swallow shed baby teeth without harm. This is different from ongoing, heavy or unexplained bleeding. Contact your vet for those changes, a broken tooth, pain, swelling or difficulty eating; do not assume every sore mouth is teething.
VCA: teeth, teething and chewing
Targeted editorial addition checked 25 October 2026. Earlier material retains its stated review date; no independent veterinary review.
Safe chewing and handling
Offer appropriately sized puppy-safe chew toys, supervise use and remove broken pieces. Very hard objects can fracture teeth. Introduce gentle lip lifting and future brushing positively, without forcing the mouth open. If the gums are sore, ask your vet how to adapt handling. Brand names are not a guarantee of safety.
When a baby tooth stays
A baby tooth remaining beside its adult replacement can interfere with the bite or create crowding. Ask your vet to check a double row of teeth or teeth pressing into the roof of the mouth. Do not pull a tooth yourself or assume it should stay until a planned neutering procedure. Assessment determines whether treatment is needed and when.
Continue with existing puppy guidance
Our puppy-care guide covers teething and early routines; puppy training and enrichment covers appropriate activities. Bring any tooth changes to the next planned check if your puppy is comfortable, and call sooner for pain, trauma, ongoing or unexplained bleeding, or eating problems. Broken baby teeth also deserve assessment because they can expose sensitive tissue.
Continue your care plan
Dental & Oral Health · Keeping my dog healthy · New symptoms: find the right next step
Evidence and review
General information, not diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. Sources include veterinary professional guidance, veterinary charities and relevant regional parasite organisations. Clinical recommendations need individual veterinary interpretation.
Puppy & Young Dog: practical next steps
About this guidanceReview details and sources
Evidence and review
Reviewed 2 October 2026 · Review sooner if advice, distribution or requirements change.