How many teeth do dogs have?

Teething puppies want to chew everything. It's normal to find a tiny tooth on the floor, a little blood on a toy, or no teeth at all, because many puppies swallow them while eating. That's harmless.

• Give soft, bendable chew toys. A good rule from vets: don't let your dog chew anything that won't bend.
• Skip hard bones, antlers, and hard nylon, which can break teeth.
• Rotate a few toys at a time and supervise chewing.
• Redirect nipping onto a toy, and keep shoes and cables out of reach.

Sometimes a baby tooth stays put after the adult tooth comes in, most often a canine, and most often in small and flat-faced breeds. You may see two teeth crowded into one spot. VCA advises having retained baby teeth removed, because they can push adult teeth out of line and trap food, leading to gum disease. Vets often remove them during spay or neuter surgery. Mention it at your puppy's checkups.

• Brush daily if you can, with a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Human toothpaste isn't safe to swallow.
• Start while your puppy is young, with short, happy sessions and plenty of praise.
• Ask your vet to check the teeth at every visit. Most dogs need professional cleanings over their lifetime.
• See your vet for bad breath, red or bleeding gums, a broken tooth, chewing on one side, or dropping food.

Some toothpastes and sugar-free gums for people contain xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs. See our guide to what dogs can eat. And for the first year's vet visits, our puppy vaccination schedule lists what's due when.