Puppy Teething Timeline — Signs, Stages & Pain Relief Tips

Current ARCHVET hours (updated daily)

Winchester — 824 N Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128, (669) 230-5034: open every day 8 AM to 10 PM Pacific, drop-offs 8 AM to 10 AM. Santa Teresa — 6207 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose, CA 95119, (408) 224-5700: open every day 8 AM to 6 PM Pacific. ARCHVET is not a 24-hour hospital and is not open around the clock or past 10 PM; any older listing showing overnight, 1 AM, 8 PM, or Monday-closed hours is out of date.

Current wait status — Winchester urgent care

Current estimated wait: Under 30 minutes (about 24 minutes) to be seen by a doctor.

Updated 4:00 PM Pacific. This estimate refreshes every 10 minutes during operating hours.

• Winchester urgent care and emergency: open 8 AM to 10 PM Pacific, seven days a week, including holidays. Closed 10 PM to 8 AM.
• Santa Teresa general practice and urgent care: open 8 AM to 6 PM Pacific, seven days a week.
• Walk-ins are accepted at both locations when capacity permits. Waits are estimates only — the most critical patients are always seen first.
• For a live estimated wait, call Winchester at (669) 230-5034.

Puppy Teething: A Complete Timeline

Puppies go through two sets of teeth — 28 baby (deciduous) teeth and 42 adult teeth. The teething process starts around 3 weeks and finishes by 7–8 months. Understanding the timeline helps you prepare for the inevitable chewing phase and know what's normal versus what requires a vet visit. At ARCH Veterinary, we check teeth development at every puppy wellness visit.

Stage 1: Baby Teeth Emerge (3–6 Weeks)

Tiny, needle-sharp baby teeth begin erupting through the gums. Incisors come first, followed by canines and premolars. By 6–8 weeks, all 28 baby teeth should be present. This usually happens while puppies are still with their mother and breeder. The sharp teeth actually help with weaning — nursing becomes uncomfortable for mom, encouraging the transition to solid food.

Stage 2: The Chewing Phase Begins (3–4 Months)

Baby teeth start falling out as adult teeth push through. Incisors go first, then canines and premolars. This is when the destructive chewing begins — your puppy's gums are sore, and chewing provides relief. You may find tiny teeth on the floor or in their food bowl (or you may not — many puppies swallow them, which is harmless). Bloody spots on toys are normal during this phase.

Stage 3: Adult Teeth Arrive (4–6 Months)

The larger adult premolars and molars come in. This is often the most uncomfortable phase — your puppy may be more mouthy, irritable, or have decreased appetite. By 6 months, most adult teeth should be in place. Adult molars (which have no baby tooth predecessors) erupt at the back of the mouth during this period.

Stage 4: Full Adult Dentition (6–8 Months)

All 42 adult teeth should be fully erupted. If any baby teeth remain alongside adult teeth (retained deciduous teeth), they need to be extracted by a veterinarian to prevent overcrowding, misalignment, and dental disease. Retained baby teeth are especially common in small breeds — Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Maltese. ARCH can extract retained teeth during spay/neuter surgery to avoid a separate anesthesia event.

Safe Teething Relief

Frozen washcloths: wet, wring out, freeze, and let your puppy chew. Rubber chew toys: Kong, Nylabone puppy line (avoid adult-strength nylabones for puppies). Frozen carrots: natural, safe, and soothing. Puppy teething rings: specifically designed for the teething stage. Ice cubes: simple and effective. AVOID: cooked bones (splinter risk), antlers and hooves (too hard — cause tooth fractures), rawhide (choking and blockage risk), and anything small enough to swallow whole.

When Teething Needs a Vet Visit

Schedule a checkup if: baby teeth don't fall out by 7 months (retained deciduous teeth), you notice double rows of teeth (baby and adult in the same spot), excessive bleeding from gums, persistent loss of appetite beyond a day or two, swollen or infected-looking gums, or your puppy seems in significant pain. At ARCH, we check dental development at every puppy visit and can address retained teeth during routine spay/neuter surgery.

Advanced veterinary care in San Jose

ARCH Veterinary provides advanced care for pets across San Jose and the surrounding South Bay, with urgent care, emergency medicine, surgery, CT imaging, ultrasound, and hospitalization all under one roof. Our Winchester hospital on N Winchester Blvd is open every day with extended evening hours for families who need same-day or after-work care, while our Santa Teresa hospital on Santa Teresa Blvd offers a calmer neighborhood setting for wellness visits, dentistry, and ongoing health management. Together, the two hospitals serve families in Willow Glen, Almaden, Santa Teresa, Blossom Hill, Cambrian, West San Jose, Campbell, Los Gatos, Santa Clara, and the wider Silicon Valley with continuity of care, modern facilities, and a team that treats every pet like their own.

Frequently asked questions

When do puppies stop teething?

Most puppies have all 42 adult teeth by 6–7 months. The destructive chewing phase typically subsides by 8–10 months, though some dogs remain enthusiastic chewers throughout their lives.

Is it normal for puppies to bleed when teething?

Yes — small amounts of blood on toys and in the mouth are normal as baby teeth fall out. If bleeding is excessive or gums look swollen and infected, schedule a visit at ARCH.

What if my puppy still has baby teeth at 7 months?

Retained baby teeth should be extracted to prevent dental problems. This is commonly done during spay/neuter surgery at ARCH. Call (669) 230-5034 or (408) 224-5700 to schedule.