At what age do puppies start losing their baby teeth?

Most puppies begin losing baby teeth from around four months old, with the full set of adult teeth usually through by around seven months. Some breeds, particularly smaller ones, can run slightly later, which is worth mentioning to your vet if teething still seems to be ongoing well past this window.

Is it normal for a puppy's gums to bleed a little while teething?

A small amount of blood on a chew toy or slight gum redness during teething is common and not usually a concern. Heavier bleeding, visibly swollen or very sore-looking gums, or a puppy who has clearly gone off their food are worth a vet check rather than assuming it is all teething.

Can a loose tooth in an adult dog fix itself?

No. A loose adult tooth is a sign that something — usually gum disease or an injury — has already damaged the structures holding it in place, and this does not reverse on its own. Left untreated it generally worsens and becomes painful, so it needs a vet's assessment rather than time.

Will my dog need the tooth removed?

It depends entirely on what a vet finds on examination. Some loose teeth can be saved with dental treatment if caught early enough, while others, particularly badly affected ones, are better removed to stop ongoing pain and infection. Your vet is the only one who can make that call after a proper look.

How can I tell if my adult dog is in pain from a dental problem?

Dogs are very good at masking dental pain, so signs can be subtle: eating more slowly, chewing only on one side, dropping food, pawing at the face, or simply seeming a little quieter than usual. Bad breath alongside any of these is a further clue worth mentioning at a vet visit.

Why does my dog have a loose tooth?

A loose tooth means something very different depending on your dog's age. In a puppy between roughly four and seven months old, it is completely normal teething as baby teeth make way for adult ones. In an adult dog, a loose tooth is not normal and is usually a sign of dental disease, an injury, or another problem that a vet needs to look at.

Usually not urgent

This is common and often manageable at home — but see a vet if it persists, gets worse, or comes with other changes.

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Puppy teething versus an adult dog problem

Puppies have a full set of baby teeth by around six to eight weeks old, and these start loosening and falling out from roughly four months as the permanent adult teeth push through underneath. It is common to find a tiny tooth on the floor or in a toy during this period, and mild gum irritation, extra chewing, and a bit of drool are all part of a completely normal process that finishes by around seven months in most dogs.

An adult dog, once all permanent teeth are through, should not have loose teeth at all. A loose adult tooth points toward gum disease, a broken tooth exposing the root, an abscess, or in older dogs occasionally something more serious affecting the jaw — none of which resolve on their own, and all of which are worth a vet's attention rather than a wait-and-see.

What commonly causes a loose adult tooth

Periodontal disease is by far the most common cause, and it builds up gradually: plaque hardens into tartar along the gumline, the gums become inflamed, and over months or years this breaks down the bone and tissue holding a tooth in place until it loosens. By the time a tooth is visibly loose, the disease behind it has usually been developing for a good while, which is exactly why regular dental checks matter even when nothing looks obviously wrong yet.

A tooth can also loosen from a specific injury — a hard chew, a fall, or a knock during play — in which case it is often a single tooth affected rather than several, and there may be visible bleeding or a chipped edge alongside it. Either way, a loose adult tooth left untreated tends to become painful, and dogs are notoriously good at hiding dental pain, so the absence of obvious distress does not mean it is not hurting.

When to see a vet

Book an appointment for any loose tooth in an adult dog, even a small amount of movement, since dental problems rarely improve on their own and tend to get considerably more involved — and more expensive to treat — the longer they are left. See a vet the same day if there is heavy bleeding, a visibly broken or fractured tooth, swelling on the face, or your dog has clearly stopped eating or is chewing only on one side.

For a teething puppy, a vet visit is not usually necessary unless the gums look genuinely inflamed or sore rather than mildly irritated, your puppy seems to be in real discomfort rather than simply chewing more, or teething has not settled down by around seven to eight months of age.

Helping a teething puppy, and keeping adult teeth healthy

For a teething puppy, appropriately sized chew toys give sore gums something safe to work against, and a cold, damp cloth or a chilled chew can ease inflammation the same way teething rings do for babies. Avoid anything too hard for a young jaw, since a puppy chewing on something rigid can occasionally damage an adult tooth as it is still coming through.

For an adult dog, regular brushing and dental chews are the two most practical ways to slow the build-up of plaque and tartar between vet check-ups, and a yearly dental check as part of a routine appointment catches early gum disease well before a tooth ever becomes loose. Neither replaces professional treatment once a problem has already developed, but both genuinely reduce how often that happens in the first place.

What can help

Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.

Fast UK delivery

NanoSanitas Advanced No-Brush Dental Gel for Dogs & Cats

A brush-free dental gel for dogs and cats, formulated with silver nanoparticles and papaya extract to help reduce plaque and freshen breath.

£14.99

Beaphar No-Brush Toothgel with Enzymes for Cats & Dogs

Beaphar no-brush tooth gel for cats and dogs, with liver flavour and an enzyme formula in a 100g tube

£7.34

Beaphar Toothpaste

Beaphar liver-flavour toothpaste for cats and dogs, a 100g enzyme formula free from fluoride and xylitol

£6.20

Pedigree Dentastix Chewy Chunx Mini Dog Treat Chicken Flavour

Mini chicken-flavour Pedigree DentaStix Chewy Chunx for measured treating

£2.15

Common questions

At what age do puppies start losing their baby teeth?: Most puppies begin losing baby teeth from around four months old, with the full set of adult teeth usually through by around seven months. Some breeds, particularly smaller ones, can run slightly later, which is worth mentioning to your vet if teething still seems to be ongoing well past this window.
Is it normal for a puppy's gums to bleed a little while teething?: A small amount of blood on a chew toy or slight gum redness during teething is common and not usually a concern. Heavier bleeding, visibly swollen or very sore-looking gums, or a puppy who has clearly gone off their food are worth a vet check rather than assuming it is all teething.
Can a loose tooth in an adult dog fix itself?: No. A loose adult tooth is a sign that something — usually gum disease or an injury — has already damaged the structures holding it in place, and this does not reverse on its own. Left untreated it generally worsens and becomes painful, so it needs a vet's assessment rather than time.
Will my dog need the tooth removed?: It depends entirely on what a vet finds on examination. Some loose teeth can be saved with dental treatment if caught early enough, while others, particularly badly affected ones, are better removed to stop ongoing pain and infection. Your vet is the only one who can make that call after a proper look.
How can I tell if my adult dog is in pain from a dental problem?: Dogs are very good at masking dental pain, so signs can be subtle: eating more slowly, chewing only on one side, dropping food, pawing at the face, or simply seeming a little quieter than usual. Bad breath alongside any of these is a further clue worth mentioning at a vet visit.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.