Dogs, like humans, also have two sets of teeth: baby teeth, which are 28 in total and come in first, followed by larger adult teeth, which are 42 in total.
Typically, a dog’s baby incisors (small front teeth) and canines (molars) begin to fall out at 3 to 5 months of age, and the front molars (premolars) begin to erupt at 4 to 6 months.
During this time, teething pain and swelling may occur, so you can provide comfort by giving them soft chew toys, cold snacks, etc.
By about 6 to 8 months of age, all baby teeth are completely lost, and the 42 adult teeth have come in. If your dog still has baby teeth at this age or if any adult teeth are loose, consult a vet.
Tooth loss in adult dogs is usually a sign of illness or injury and requires a dental examination. This article breaks down the details of whether dogs actually lose baby teeth, so keep reading till the end.
What Teeth Do Dogs Lose?
A puppy’s baby teeth include: 12 small front teeth (incisors), 4 molars, and 12 front molars (premolars). As puppies grow, all 28 of their baby teeth fall out and are replaced by 42 adult teeth.
Adult teeth have the same number of incisors and canines, but also include 16 molars (the puppy had 12) and 10 new molars, which were not in the puppy’s mouth.
It means puppies lose all of their baby incisors, canines, and molars to make room for the larger permanent teeth.
Do Dogs Lose Their Incisor Puppy Teeth?
The small front teeth, also called incisors, are the first to fall out. Usually, when a puppy is about 3 to 5 months old, the baby incisors fall out and are replaced by larger incisors.
This process is normal, and often the owner starts to see the white root of the tooth on the floor. Often, the teeth are swallowed and therefore not visible, but this is not a cause for concern.
Therefore, if your puppy has not lost its baby incisors by the age of 4 to 5 months, it is best to have it checked by a vet. If a baby tooth is retained, it may become loose or cause crowding of the teeth.
Do Dogs Lose Their Premolars Puppy Teeth?
A dog’s front molars (premolars) also fall out over time. Usually, baby molars fall out between 4 and 6 months of age and are replaced by larger molars.
As the USDA and PetMD state, by 6 to 8 months of age, a dog’s 28 baby teeth have fallen out and are replaced by 42 adult teeth.
If, for some reason, these molars fail to fall out or fall out late, the lower teeth can crowd, and food can get stuck. So if baby teeth fall out prematurely, get them checked by a vet.
Do Dogs Lose Their Canine Puppy Teeth?
Canine teeth fall out, too. A puppy’s incisors, which are sharp, fall out between 3 and 5 months of age and are replaced by larger canine teeth.
These fall out first in the socket, followed by the second set of teeth. Usually, by 6 months of age, all of these baby teeth have fallen out, and the larger canines have come in.
If your puppy still has their canine incisors (the teeth used for chewing) at this age, they are the remaining teeth. The USDA says that canines are especially common, and these remaining teeth can be mistaken for molars. In such cases, seek veterinary advice so that these teeth can be extracted if necessary.
Do Dogs Lose Their Molars’ Puppy Teeth?
Puppies don’t actually have molars (the molars in their baby teeth), so they can’t fall out. That means there are no molars in the baby set.
Instead, adult dogs develop new molars that erupt between 5 and 7 months of age. Adult teeth include 4 upper and 6 lower molars that were not present in the baby set.
So, since puppies don’t have molars in their baby set, no baby molars fall out. Just remember that when these adult molars erupt, the baby teeth must be fully erupted to get a good place in the dog’s mouth, or a baby tooth could displace the molars.
At what age do dogs lose their teeth?
The process of teething in puppies usually begins at 3 to 4 months of age and is complete by 6 to 8 months of age. Domestic dogs usually start losing their first teeth after three months.
Large-breed dogs usually complete this process earlier, while small breeds may be later. All adult teeth come in by about 7 months, and a full set of adult teeth (42 teeth) should be in place by 7 to 8 months.
Therefore, if your dog still has baby teeth or has not had them erupt by 8 months, have them checked by a veterinarian. Baby teeth are usually completely erupted around 6 months of age, and permanent teeth are fully erupted.
| Tooth Type | Puppy Teeth (Number) | Adult Dog Teeth (Number) |
| Incisors | 12 | 12 |
| Canines | 4 | 4 |
| Premolars | 12 | 16 |
| Molars | 0 | 10 |
| Total | 28 | 42 |
Is It Normal for a Dog to Lose Teeth?
As a beginner pet owner, you might be worried about why the puppy is losing teeth. Let me tell you that it is normal for puppies to lose their baby teeth, as it is part of their growth.
By the age of 6 months, all of a puppy’s baby teeth (28 teeth) have usually fallen out and been replaced by 42 adult teeth. On the other hand, it is not common for adult dogs to lose their teeth.
Loose or missing adult teeth can be a sign of an injury or periodontal disease. If an adult dog has a loose tooth, take it to the vet immediately.
Similarly, if a puppy over six months old still has baby teeth in their mouth (this is also a mistake), it can cause problems for the permanent teeth. In such a case, ask the vet if these teeth should be extracted or if there is a need to clean the teeth.
FAQ’s
When do puppies lose their baby teeth?
Usually starts at 3 to 4 months of age and ends by 6 to 8 months. Incisors and canines start to fall out at 3 to 5 months, premolars at 4 to 6 months, and new molars at 5 to 7 months.
Should I worry if my puppy doesn’t have a baby tooth?
No, it’s normal for a baby tooth to be swallowed or not visible. Only worry if your puppy is 8 months old and has a retained baby tooth.
What happens after a baby tooth falls out?
As soon as a baby tooth falls out, a new permanent incisor tooth comes in to replace it. This usually happens at 3 to 5 months of age. During this time, your puppy may experience mild inflammation and loss of appetite, but this is temporary.
When do puppies have molars? Do puppies have molars?
There are no molars in the set of puppies. Adult dogs have 4 upper and 6 lower molars that erupt at 5 to 7 months of age. Just make sure the baby teeth have erupted by that time to make room for the new molars.
How to care for a puppy when they are teething?
Feed your puppy soft foods, such as frozen snacks and soft toys, to reduce pain while teething. Offer soft toys and frozen foods (e.g., raw vegetables). In the meantime, tell your vet and get your teeth checked to make sure everything is normal.