Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth – Why It Matters and How to Do It Properly

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 removes most of the plaque and reduces the risk of painful dental problems.

Daily brushing also gives you the chance to spot any early signs of trouble, such as broken teeth, painful areas or inflamed/bleeding gums, so you can seek veterinary advice in good time.

In short, a few minutes each day can save your dog from pain and save you from expensive vet bills.

When to Start Brushing

It’s best to introduce toothbrushing when your dog is a puppy. You can start the routine as soon as your puppy comes home. Whilst it isn’t strictly necessary to clean baby teeth, starting early helps your dog get used to the process.

Puppies can sometimes have sore mouths when they’re teething, so you may need to pause brushing temporarily. Continue to check that baby teeth are falling out as their adult teeth come through. If your dog is older, don’t worry, it’s never too late to start. With patience and gentle training, even adult dogs can learn to enjoy having their teeth brushed.

What You’ll Need

• A soft toothbrush, finger brush, or a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger
  

• Dog toothpaste – ideally one with a flavour your dog enjoys. If you prefer, you can just use water; the brushing action itself is what really matters.

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 toothpaste made for people. Many brands contain fluoride and other ingredients that are toxic to dogs. You don’t need to use home remedies like coconut oil either; plain water works perfectly well if your dog doesn’t like dog toothpaste.

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. Praise and 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. Dogs are individuals, some naturally have better dental health than others. Unfortunately, there’s no way to predict which dogs will develop problems.
Smaller breeds, in particular, tend to have more dental issues. That’s why vets recommend brushing every dog’s teeth daily as prevention.

“My dog chews bones and eats dental food. Isn’t that enough?”

Chews, dental treats, and specialist 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?”

Start by checking with your vet, your dog may have pain or dental disease.
If the mouth is healthy, go back a few steps in training and make sessions shorter and more rewarding. Use extra-tasty treats and stop before your dog gets 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.

When to Contact a Vet

If you’re unsure about your dog’s dental health, or if you notice any of the symptoms above, contact your vet for advice. You can also book a video consultation with a FirstVet vet for an initial assessment and guidance on keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy.