Wondering how to brush your dog's teeth without stress or struggle? With the right approach, tools, and routine, you can keep your dog’s mouth healthy, and even make brushing an enjoyable part of their day.
| Key Takeaways:
Browse our Dog Dental Care range to keep your dog’s teeth healthy. |
Why Dog Dental Care Matters
Brushing our teeth is a daily habit we rarely skip - so why do we expect our pets to go days without dental care? Just like humans, dogs are exposed to millions of germs every day from eating and chewing.
Good oral hygiene isn’t just about preventing yellow teeth or bad breath, it also protects against serious health problems.
Key risks of poor dental care include:
- Painful teeth and gums that can affect eating and comfort
-
Bad breath caused by bacterial buildup
-
Heart, liver, and kidney disease, linked to chronic oral infection
Regular brushing and dental care can help prevent these issues, keeping your dog happy, healthy, and pain-free.
Step-by-Step - How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
Brushing your dog’s teeth doesn’t have to be stressful. Follow these simple steps for a safe, effective routine:
1. Get Your Dog Comfortable
First of all, make sure your dog is in the right frame of mind. By this I mean when your dog is calm and relaxed. The best time for dental hygiene is in the evening before bed, similar to people. If this is difficult then find a time that your pet is most relaxed, such as after a walk. Set a routine by brushing at around the same time every day.
Your dog is likely to be less anxious if brushing becomes part of its normal routine. If, however, your dog resists your attempts to brush its teeth, end the session and go back to it another time.
2. Introduce Toothpaste
Use dog friendly toothpaste as part of the process, putting some onto the end of your finger and allowing your dog to lick it. Most dog toothpastes are specially flavoured for the canine palate so your dog should see this as a treat and associate the experience as a positive reward.
If your dog seems happy, try sliding your finger just inside the mouth or along the gum line to get your dog used to the feel of something against its teeth. Apply different pressures to the gums to gauge your dog's reaction.
3. Use a Finger Toothbrush
At this point you can start thinking about introducing a finger toothbrush. These are like soft rubber thimbles that go over the end of the finger with a textured side for brushing. They are less intimidating than a toothbrush and are a good introduction point.
Start by putting some toothpaste onto the brush and allow your dog to sniff and lick it. If your dog seems comfortable, again, try and slide your finger inside the mouth. Be gentle, starting to concentrate on brushing the teeth you can easily reach.
4. Using a Dog Toothbrush
If this is successful, it may now be worth trying a proper toothbrush. Choose one specifically made for dogs, with angled bristles for brushing along the gum line.
Place your hand gently over your dog's muzzle and try briefly lifting the lips. Hold them there for a second and then release the muzzle, giving your dog a treat for its cooperation. Repeat this exercise a few times before stopping. Do this every day, extending the length of time you are holding the muzzle, until you feel your dog is ready for a short period of brushing.
Like you did with the finger toothbrush, start by introducing the toothbrush to your dog with a small amount of toothpaste. Even if your dog is curious about the brush, it should have no hesitation enjoying the toothpaste. Once your dog seems comfortable, try holding your dog's muzzle as practiced, lifting the lips and introducing the brush slowly.
Talk in a soothing voice to reassure your dog there is nothing to fear. If your dog resists or shows signs of distress, release the muzzle and wait for a moment. Try again, but this time don't introduce the toothbrush. If your dog allows its muzzle to be held without fidgeting, reward it with a treat. Then try again with the toothbrush.
5. Reward and Repeat
After a brushing session, always reward your dog for its good behaviour. By doing this, you are teaching your dog that cooperation leads to a delicious treat and a happy experience, making it more likely to repeat the behaviour.
Logic Chews are great as they come in palatable flavours and help to remove plaque from the teeth. They also contain antibacterial enzymes that rid the mouth of harmful bacteria and strengthen a dog's defences.
How Often to Brush Dog Teeth
VioVet vet Dr Nicholas Garside BVetMed MRCVS advises: “Ideally brushing should be done daily, or at least every other day. Research shows that daily brushing is the most effective way of reducing plaque build up.”
If this is not possible with your routine then just do what you can, brushing is the best way to ensure good oral hygiene if your dog will tolerate it.
Other Oral Care Options
If regular brushing is challenging, you can still look after your dog’s dental health. Realistically, all dogs need their teeth brushed, and for the best overall hygiene, an owner would use multiple products.
Your vet will usually check your pet's teeth during their annual vaccination appointment, and this is a great time to discuss how to manage your specific pet's dental requirements.
1. Dental Supplements:
Dental powders, liquids, granules, and hygiene pastes can help reduce plaque and freshen breath. Our OraFresh range offers an easy daily way to support your dog’s oral health and comes in different formulations to suit your pet.
Simply add the granules to food, add the solution to drinking water, and put the paste on the end of your finger for your pet to lick off.
2. Dental Food:
In general, dry food is better for teeth than wet food. Softer food is more likely to stay within the mouth and between the teeth, which predisposes to plaque build up, whilst dry food can work to help mechanically remove bacterial build up.
There are growing first hand accounts that raw diets are an exception to this advice, potentially improving dental hygiene. However there are few studies that have looked into this so currently we cannot say for certain.
Veterinary Dental Diets are available and can work well. It is best to discuss these with your vet as they can only be used alongside veterinary advice.
3. Dental Treats:
Dental treats work similarly to supplements, aiming to improve overally oral hygiene and so reduce plaque build up. They are palatable so can be easier to administer.
Look After Your Dog’s Dental Health
Keep your dog’s mouth healthy with regular brushing and the right products. Explore our Dog Dental Care Range for toothpastes, dental bones, and supplements designed to make oral care easy and effective every day.
If you found this guide useful, check out our Essential Guide to Dental Care for Your Dog's Teeth for more information.
Dog Dental FAQs
Can you brush a dog’s teeth with human toothpaste?
No! Human toothpaste contains fluoride and other ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Always use toothpaste specifically formulated for dogs. Many are flavored to appeal to the canine palate and may contain plaque-fighting enzymes that help maintain a healthy bacterial balance.
Do you need to brush a dog’s teeth?
The gold standard answer is, yes. Brushing is the best way to prevent plaque build up and so the progression of dental disease. In reality this can be difficult so try other approaches, such as dental sticks or chew toys, to encourage your dog to mechanically remove plaque through chewing instead.
Written by: VioVet
