By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Kittens are not born with a full set of adult teeth. They erupt baby teeth, shed them, and grow permanent teeth in the first half-year of life. That window is also the best time to get your kitten used to mouth handling and toothbrush training. Early habits, plus checking for retained baby teeth, reduce the chance of painful dental disease later.
Key takeaways
- Baby teeth usually erupt from about two to four weeks of age; adult teeth replace them by roughly six to seven months.
- Retained baby canines are common in some breeds and should be removed if they persist beside adult teeth.
- Soft teething toys are safer than hard plastics, cooked bones or sticks that can fracture teeth.
- Start finger-and-paste training in kittenhood so adult brushing is easier.
- Persistent drooling, refusal to eat, nasal discharge or facial swelling needs a vet visit.
Kitten tooth timeline
Newborns have no visible teeth. Deciduous incisors, canines and premolars appear in the first weeks. Adult teeth begin erupting around three to four months, and most kittens have their permanent set by six to seven months. Mild chewing on toys and soft gum redness can be normal during eruption. Severe pain, bleeding or foul smell is not.
Adult cats normally have 30 permanent teeth. Problems during the swap, especially crowded baby canines, set the stage for plaque traps and gum disease. See also loose teeth in dogs for a parallel on deciduous versus adult mobility, and home care ideas in dog toothpaste that adapt well to kitten training (use cat-appropriate paste where recommended).
Retained baby teeth
If a baby tooth is still present when the adult tooth has fully come through, the baby tooth is retained. This is most often noticed with the fang teeth. The double teeth push the adult tooth out of alignment and pack food against the gum. Your vet will usually recommend extraction under anaesthesia, often combined with desexing if timing aligns.
Safe teething support
- Offer soft rubber kitten toys and cardboard scratch options supervised.
- Avoid strings, yarn, cooked bones, and hard nylon chews.
- Do not use essential oils or tea tree products in the mouth.
- Keep toxic plants and human dental products out of reach. See plants toxic to cats if your kitten chews greenery.
Starting dental care at home
- Make brief, positive mouth handling part of play and cuddle time.
- Let your kitten lick a tiny amount of cat-safe or vet-recommended pet toothpaste (never human paste).
- Progress to a finger brush on the outer surfaces of the cheek teeth.
- Keep sessions short and reward calm behaviour.
- Combine home care with veterinary check-ups so eruption and occlusion (bite) can be assessed.
Diet matters too. Discuss complete kitten food with your vet. Dental diets or treats marketed for cats vary in evidence; your clinic can advise what is suitable once adult teeth are in. As adults, many cats still need professional dental care despite indoor living and dry food.
When to see a vet
Book an appointment if your kitten has:
- Baby and adult teeth sharing the same spot after the adult has erupted
- Drooling, pawing at the mouth, or crying when eating
- Broken teeth after a fall or fight
- Swelling of the face, eye area or jaw
- Marked lethargy or refusal to eat for more than 24 hours (sooner for very young kittens)
Trauma, electric cord burns and foreign bodies are extra risks in playful kittens and need prompt care.
How vets help
Wellness visits include a mouth check. Persistent deciduous teeth are planned for extraction. Fractured teeth, malocclusion and early gum disease are managed case by case, sometimes with referral to a veterinary dentist. Anaesthetic-free scraping is not appropriate dental care for kittens or adults. Your vet will also talk through anaesthesia safety, which is routinely used for thorough dental work in cats.
FAQ
Is bleeding normal when baby teeth fall out?
A tiny spot of blood on a toy can occur. Ongoing bleeding, pus or foul odour needs a vet.
Can I pull a hanging baby tooth?
No. Let your vet assess it. Forcing a tooth can damage the adult tooth bud or gum.
When should I start brushing?
As soon as your kitten accepts gentle mouth handling, often from eight to twelve weeks, using pet-safe paste only.
Do house cats still need dental care if they eat dry food?
Yes. Dry food alone does not prevent periodontal disease. Handling and professional checks still matter.
Talk with a vet
If your kitten is teething, has a double set of fangs, or hates having their mouth touched, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can walk you through training tips and when an in-clinic dental check is needed. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Dental Development in Cats.
- WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines.
- International Society of Feline Medicine. Kitten care and oral health resources.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.