Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is an essential part of good pet care. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from plaque build-up, gum disease, and tooth loss if their teeth aren’t cared for properly. Furthermore, poor dental health can potentially contribute to other health problems. Regular toothbrushing is an effective preventative measure against these complications, helping to mitigate pain, bad breath, and avoid costly dental procedures down the road.
Why You Should Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
Plaque forms naturally on teeth every day. If it isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar, which can lead to inflammation, infection, and eventually, tooth loss. Brushing your dog’s teeth daily helps to remove plaque and reduces the risk of painful dental problems - it's an essential part of your dog's preventive healthcare and longevity.
Daily brushing offers a vital opportunity to proactively monitor your dog's oral health, allowing you to catch early signs of problems like broken teeth, painful spots, or inflamed/bleeding gums. While not all dental issues are obvious, becoming familiar with your dog's mouth helps you spot overt problems sooner, prompting a timely visit to the vet. Essentially, a few minutes each day can prevent your dog from experiencing pain and save you from higher veterinary costs later on.
When to Start Brushing
The ideal time to begin brushing your dog's teeth is when they are a puppy, starting the routine as soon as they settle into their new home. Although cleaning puppy teeth isn't essential, this early introduction helps your dog become accustomed to the process.
Puppies can sometimes have sore mouths when they’re teething, so you may need to pause brushing temporarily. During this time, check that the baby teeth are falling out as their adult teeth are emerging.
If you have an older dog, don't worry - it's never too late to start! With patience and gentle training, even adult dogs can learn to accept and enjoy having their teeth brushed.
What You’ll Need
- A soft toothbrush, finger brush, or a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger
- Enzymatic dog toothpaste – ideally one with a flavour your dog enjoys
Brushing not only removes bacteria and food particles but also massages the gums, keeping them healthy and strong.
Can You Use Human Toothpaste?
No - never use human toothpastes. Many brands contain ingredients toxic to dogs, such as fluoride and xylitol, among others like salts. Skip home remedies like coconut oil as well; if your dog dislikes dog-specific toothpastes, plain water is an excellent and safe alternative.
How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth: Step-by-Step Guide
Because brushing is something you’ll be doing every day for life, it’s worth taking the time to teach your dog gradually. Think of it as training a new trick – slow and steady wins the race!
Step 1: Get your dog used to being handled
Start by gently touching your dog’s face and around the mouth for a few seconds at a time. Gradually increase the duration and pressure as your dog relaxes. Offer praise, cuddles, and teeth-friendly treats as a reward after each short session.
Keep sessions positive and watch your dog’s body language. A relaxed, wagging tail and forward-facing ears are good signs. If your dog looks tense or tries to move away, take a break and go back a step.
Step 2: Introduce touching the teeth
When your dog is comfortable with handling, start lifting the lips and lightly touching the teeth and gums with your finger. Reward your dog often. You can add a dab of dog toothpaste for your dog to lick and taste.
Step 3: Use gauze or a finger cloth
Once your dog accepts Step 2, wrap a little gauze around your finger, apply some toothpaste, and gently rub the outer surfaces of the teeth, especially along the gum line. Begin with the canine teeth (the large pointed ones) and work backwards over time.
Step 4: Move on to a toothbrush
When your dog is completely comfortable, introduce a soft toothbrush or finger brush.
Hold the brush at about a 45-degree angle to the gum line to reach the plaque that gathers there. If brushing the entire mouth feels overwhelming, split it into two sessions, upper teeth in the morning, lower teeth in the evening. Always reward your dog during and after brushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
“My dog has never had dental problems. Do I still need to brush?”
Yes - most dogs over three will develop common periodontal disease without preventive care. Starting routine tooth brushing early is the most effective prevention. It's critical to begin before issues arise, as associating pain with brushing causes anxiety and resistance. Consistent early brushing slows dental disease, maintains comfort, and simplifies professional cleanings.
“My dog chews bones and eats dental food. Isn’t that enough?”
Chews, dental treats, and veterinary dental diets can help reduce plaque, but none are as effective as brushing. For the best protection, use these products alongside daily toothbrushing.
“My dog won’t let me brush its teeth. What can I do?”
If your dog is resisting having their teeth brushed, first consult a veterinarian to rule out pain or underlying dental disease.
If their mouth is healthy, revisit your training. Make the brushing sessions shorter, increase the reward value with extra-tasty treats, and stop sessions before your dog becomes frustrated.
As we have already discussed teeth brushing is the gold standard of dental health but if you are finding it difficult to brush their teeth, there other methods of plaque reduction are available, but they are usually designed to complement brushing:
- Water additives
- Oral rinses
- Plaque reducing seaweed supplements: for example: Dental diets
“Does brushing prevent all dental diseases?”
Not entirely. Some conditions, such as tooth resorption (TR), can’t be prevented through brushing. However, regular brushing still makes a big difference by reducing gum disease and tooth loss.
“How can I tell if my dog has dental problems?”
Look out for:
- Bad breath
- Red or swollen gums
- Yellow or brown tartar
- Receding gums
- Difficulty chewing or chewing on one side
- Dropping food, sleeping more, or seeming irritable
If your dog suddenly resists brushing on one side of the mouth, it may be a sign of pain.