Last Updated: 19/08/2026
Puppy Dental Care: A Guide to Healthy Teeth
Did you know 80% of dogs show signs of dental disease by age three? Start your pup on the right paw with our comprehensive guide to puppy dental health, covering everything from soothing teething gums to mastering the art of daily toothbrushing.
Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 6 minutes - short read
Did you know 80% of dogs show signs of dental disease by age three? Getting on top of dental care from day one is one of the best things you can do for your pup, and it's easier than it sounds. This is your complete guide to the puppy dental journey: what happens as their teeth develop, when to start brushing, which products are actually safe, what happens at the vet, and the warning signs that mean you shouldn't wait for the next scheduled check-up. It's part of our wider home dental care and dental care for dogs hub too, so pop over there for tips across every life stage.
What happens during a puppy's dental development?
Puppies are born without teeth, have a full set of 28 baby (deciduous) teeth by about 8 weeks old, and start swapping them for 42 permanent adult teeth from around 12 weeks. This process, teething, usually wraps up by 6 months old. Drooling, mild gum redness, and a sudden urge to chew everything in sight are all normal parts of this stage. For the full rundown on signs and timing, our puppy teething guide covers it in detail.
While questions about how to deal with a teething puppy are very common, it's important to start thinking about dental care too. That's what the rest of this guide covers.
When should you start brushing your puppy's teeth?
Start brushing from around 6 months of age, once all the adult teeth are in. The most common hurdle puppy owners face isn't learning how to brush - it’s getting their puppy comfortable with having their mouth handled in the first place.
Focusing on positive mouth handling should be your main priority prior to 6 months of age - start as early as possible. Puppies go through a sensitive teething phase where brushing can actually be uncomfortable or painful. Forcing a toothbrush into a sore mouth can cause a negative association, so take it slow and make handling the lips, gums, and teeth a stress-free, rewarding game first.
- Get them used to touch: Gently lift their lips to inspect the teeth and gums for a few seconds, then immediately reward them with praise or a high-value treat.
- Introduce taste: Let them lick a small amount of puppy-safe toothpaste off your finger.
- The finger rub: Gently massage a bit of toothpaste along their gumline and back teeth using your index finger.
Build the habit before adult teeth arrive: You don't need a full set of adult teeth to build a routine. By making mouth handling a normal, positive part of daily life early on, actual brushing will feel completely natural once their adult teeth are fully through (around 6 months).
The biggest mistake we see is owners waiting until dental disease or tartar is mentioned at a 12-month check-up to start a routine. By then, teaching a full-grown dog to accept mouth handling can be much more difficult. Building that trust during puppyhood saves you from playing catch-up later!
How do you introduce brushing to a puppy?
Once your pup is comfortable with mouth handling and their adult teeth begin to settle in, build up to brushing over one to two weeks:
- Introduce the toothbrush: Let them sniff and lick a soft puppy toothbrush or finger brush first without moving it around.
- Start gentle strokes: Place a dab of puppy toothpaste on the brush and try a few brief, gentle strokes on the front teeth, gradually working toward the back molars over several days.
- Keep it short and sweet: Keep early sessions under 30 seconds and always end on a high note with plenty of praise or a reward.
Pro Tip: If your pup gets wiggly or stressed, don't push through - simply take a step back the next day. Rushing desensitisation is the fastest way to turn brushing into a battle instead of a lifelong habit!
Learn more about How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth.
What dental products are safe for puppies?
Look for puppy-specific toothpaste, a soft-bristled or finger brush, puppy-specific water additives and puppy-safe dental chews. Hold off on anything made for adult dogs until all their adult teeth are in around 6 months.
Never use human toothpaste, it can contain fluoride and xylitol, both toxic to dogs. Skip hard bones, antlers, hooves, and ice cubes while baby teeth are still present, as they're a common cause of fractured puppy teeth. We regularly see puppies with broken baby teeth from being given adult-strength chews too early. This is one of the most common mistakes new puppy owners make, so when in doubt, choose a chew labelled specifically for puppies.
What happens at a puppy's dental check-up?
Your vet will do a full dental check once all the adult teeth are in, usually around 6 months old and often timed alongside desexing. They'll check for crowding or crooked teeth, retained baby teeth, broken teeth, and overbite or underbite.
If anything's flagged, your vet may recommend a treatment plan such as tooth removal or referral to a veterinary dental specialist. From here, six-monthly veterinary check-ups are recommended to keep your pup's teeth in good shape long term.
What warning signs mean you shouldn't wait for the next check-up?
See your vet sooner than your next scheduled visit if you notice:
- Persistent bad breath beyond normal teething breath
- Bleeding gums outside the teething window
- Reluctance to eat or dropping food
- Pawing at the mouth
- Visible swelling in or around the mouth
- A broken or chipped tooth
What happens to adult teeth, and when are retained baby teeth a problem?
By 6 months, your puppy should have a full set of 42 adult teeth. If a baby tooth hasn't fallen out by the time its adult replacement has come through, that's a retained tooth, and it needs to come out. Left in place, it can crowd the adult tooth, trap plaque, and lead to a poor bite.
Our guide to dental problems in puppies covers retained teeth and other issues in more depth.
FAQs
Building a dental care routine while your puppy is young is one of the kindest things you can do for their long-term health. From choosing the right products to that all-important six-month check-up, every small step helps prevent discomfort and disease down the track. For teething detail, see our puppy teething guide, and if you want to understand dental problems further, read dental problems in puppies. If you're ever unsure about a stray tooth or your brushing technique, check in with your vet, or the Pet Circle Vet Squad is always here to help.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 19 Aug 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr Belinda graduated from The University of Queensland in 2009 and has worked as a Small Animal Veterinarian for over 10 years in South East Queensland. She also has experience as a telehealh consultant, providing veterinary advice for online customers.She has a special interest in animal behaviour, preventative health, the human-animal bond and internal medicine. Outside of work hours she is closely affiliated with a kitten rescue and is also a devoted carer of orphaned rescue kittens.
