Puppy owners have plenty to learn when welcoming a newborn pet pooch into their home—especially for the first time.
And with a dog's diet, exercise, training and playtime high up on the list of priorities, considering a canine's dentistry can occasionally be overlooked.
However, with most growing pups destined to develop two sets of teeth, there is more to caring for them than simply ensuring young dogs do not leave tooth marks around the home.
When do puppies loose their teeth? Read on to find out what you need to know about your puppy's teething timeline, according to American Kennel Club (AKC) experts.
Puppy Teeth: A Timeline
The AKC told Newsweek while dogs are born toothless, young pups will start to grow a set of 28 "baby" teeth before their first birthday.
A spokesperson said: "If you've gotten a new puppy or have recently gotten one, your dog's needs will change as they age, and teething is a huge part of the aging process for young dogs."
"In the first month of your puppy's life, they will begin to develop their baby teeth, but they'll still be nursing with their mother.
"In the fifth to sixth weeks of their lives, their baby teeth should be fully grown in—they'll have about 28 teeth total, and will be making the transition from nursing to soft foods.
"When you're ready to take the puppy home with you, at about eight to 16 weeks, depending on the breeder, their baby teeth will begin to shed as their adult teeth come through.
"You'll likely find little rice-sized teeth around the house, unless they swallow them, which is not a major concern."
The AKC stress the importance of getting your puppy-appropriate chew toys to help the irritation and process along, while also cautioning newborn dog owners, "check with your vet to ensure teething is going as it should be."
"It is important to understand that, just as for human babies, the teething process can be very painful.
"Allowing your dog to have puppy-safe chew toys to reduce the irritation is pivotal, as well as understanding that they are going through a difficult time and being understanding of that."
Brushing Puppies' Teeth
Experts recommend getting your young dog to become acclimatized to having its mouth touched from an early age.
The AKC said: "During this time it is also very important to socialize your puppy to get used to what will eventually be teeth-brushing.
"Start by touching around and then inside your puppy's mouth to get them used to something —eventually a toothbrush—being in there."
Darin Collins, the Chief Executive Officer of the Canine Health Foundation, believes brushing your dog's teeth should be a similar habit to brushing your own.
He told Newsweek: "Dogs maybe need their teeth brushed every other day or even once weekly. If dog owners are in the habit of doing a visual exam inside their dog's mouth, they won't be so surprised when problems develop – like dental tartar [and/or] plaque."
He added: "I advise people to train their dog for a quick, easy open mouth exam."
Collins even suggests owners should take photos of their dog's teeth, as they can come in handy for future visits to the veterinarian.
He said: "At six-plus months, they will have just about all of their adult teeth, about 42 total.
"Any baby teeth that are remaining may have to be removed at this point, so make sure to talk to your vet.
"Make sure to brush your dog's teeth regularly to keep them pearly white and avoid plaque and bad breath."
