Puppies are born without teeth, but in the first few months of life they have one set come in, then fall out, and then their adult teeth come in for good. This is a busy time for a puppy where teeth are concerned, and knowing what to expect can help the average owner keep his puppy more comfortable while protecting him and his belongings from the dangers of chewing on the wrong items.
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Misconceptions
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Many people mistakenly believe that their puppies are born with all of the teeth that they will ever have, but this is not the case. Puppies are not born with teeth; they get their deciduous teeth around eight weeks of age. The typical puppy will have 28 teeth come in before the eighth week of life.
Time Frame
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At eight weeks the puppy will have 28 teeth but the teething stage that puppies will go through will last several months. While the teeth have just come in at eight weeks, at three months teething will begin all over again.
The teething time frame really seems to take off around three months when the incisors of the puppy fall out. At four months of age chewing may increase as the canine and molar teeth will start to come in. At six to seven months of age the adult molars come in, and by eight months your dog should have a full set of 42 adult teeth.
Identification
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Teething is usually identified in a puppy when it begins to chew on things when perhaps it didn't before. The puppy does this in an attempt to stop the pain that is caused by the loss and growth of new teeth. Other puppies will begin to rub their face or drool, and some dogs will not show any of these signs but their owners will actually find their teeth on the floor or stuck in their toys.
Significance
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While most dogs have 42 teeth when they are done with the teething stage, this is not always the case. Doberman pinschers usually have less than 42 and the spaniel family of dogs usually has more.
Risks
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When the baby tooth falls out the root needs to be properly reabsorbed by the adult tooth. If this does not take place the adult tooth may be malformed, which can cause an abnormal bite for the breed or even overcrowding of the mouth.
The teething stage for a puppy can be a dangerous time because puppies want to chew on everything! Electrical cords are often irresistible to puppies and pose a serious risk. Choking hazards also have to be considered, so small items need to be kept out of the reach of the puppy.
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