How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth

Brushing your dog's teeth is the single most effective thing you can do at home to prevent dental disease. It only takes a couple of minutes a day once your dog is used to it. The secret is starting slowly, using a dog toothpaste and making every session rewarding.

Why brushing matters

Dental disease is one of the most common health problems vets see in adult dogs. It starts with plaque — a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth every day. If it isn't removed, plaque hardens into tartar, which a toothbrush can't shift. Tartar and bacteria irritate the gums, leading to gum disease (periodontal disease), pain, bad breath and eventually loose or lost teeth.

Dental disease isn't just about the mouth. Ongoing infection and inflammation can affect your dog's overall health and comfort. Treating advanced disease usually means a dental procedure under general anaesthetic, so prevention is far kinder and cheaper.

What you'll need

• Dog toothpaste. These come in flavours dogs like, such as poultry or malt, and are safe to swallow.
• A dog toothbrush or finger brush. A soft brush with a small head is easiest. Finger brushes are good for puppies and small dogs.
• Treats or praise to reward your dog after each step.

Step by step: getting your dog used to brushing

Go at your dog's pace. Spend a few days on each step, keep sessions to a minute or two, and stop before your dog gets fed up.

1. Handle the mouth. While your dog is relaxed, gently touch their muzzle and lift their lip for a second, then reward. Build up slowly.
2. Introduce the toothpaste. Let your dog lick a little from your finger, so it becomes a treat.
3. Use your finger. Put a little toothpaste on your finger and rub it gently along the outside of a few teeth and gums.
4. Introduce the brush. Let your dog sniff and lick toothpaste off the brush, then brush one or two front teeth.
5. Build up. Lift the lip and brush the outer surfaces of more teeth, working towards the back teeth, where tartar often builds up first. Angle the bristles towards the gumline and use small, gentle circles.
6. Finish with a reward. End every session with praise, a game or a walk.

Most dogs won't let you brush the inner surfaces of their teeth, and that's okay. The outer surfaces matter most, and the tongue helps clean the inside.

Starting with puppies

It's best to start getting puppies used to having their mouth handled from the first weeks at home. Puppies lose their baby teeth and get their adult teeth from around three to seven months, and their gums can be sore while teething. During this time, keep things very gentle — mouth handling, a finger brush and lots of rewards — rather than full brushing. Our puppy teething timeline explains what to expect.

How often to brush

Brush every day if you can. Plaque begins to build up within hours, and daily brushing removes it before it hardens. If daily isn't possible, aim for at least three times a week. Brushing won't remove tartar that has already formed — that needs a professional clean by your vet.

What about dental chews and other products?

Dental chews, toys and special diets can help reduce plaque, but they work best alongside brushing rather than instead of it. In the US, look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal. Always supervise chewing, choose a size that can't be swallowed whole, and count chews as part of your dog's daily food allowance.

Signs of dental disease

Check your dog's mouth regularly, and look out for:

• Bad breath.
• Red, swollen or bleeding gums.
• Yellow or brown tartar on the teeth.
• Drooling, pawing at the mouth or rubbing their face.
• Chewing on one side, dropping food or reluctance to eat hard food.
• Loose, broken or discoloured teeth.
• Swelling on the face or under the eye.