Puppy Teething

What to do

1. 3 to 6 weeks old: the baby teeth come in, usually before your puppy comes home.
2. From about 12 weeks: baby teeth start to fall out as the adult teeth push through. Most puppies swallow them harmlessly.
3. By 6 to 7 months: all 42 adult teeth should be in, with no baby teeth left.
4. Give chews that bend a little or that you can dent with a fingernail. A toy chilled in the freezer can soothe sore gums.
5. Supervise chewing, rotate a few safe toys, and keep shoes, clothes and children's toys out of reach.
6. Take away any toy that's breaking apart or missing pieces.
7. Look in your puppy's mouth each week. If a baby tooth is still there beside its adult tooth, see your vet.

When to call your vet

• A baby tooth is still there next to its adult tooth
• A broken tooth
• More than a few spots of blood
• Baby teeth still in place after about 7 months

Why

Chewing seems to ease teething discomfort, so puppies chew nearly everything. Very hard chews can break both baby and adult teeth.