| |

How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth: A Calm, Practical Guide

ByDerek

pdated August 2026

Brushing your dog’s teeth is one of those jobs that is easy to postpone.

Your dog may not understand why a toothbrush has suddenly appeared. You may worry about doing it incorrectly. If your dog moves away, clamps their mouth shut or looks uncomfortable, it can feel easier to leave it for another day.

However, dental disease is common and can be painful. Regular tooth brushing helps remove plaque before it hardens into tartar and contributes to gum disease.

The answer is not to hold your dog firmly and get the job done at any cost. Mouth handling should be introduced gradually, positively and at a pace your dog can manage.

This guide explains why brushing matters, what you need, how to introduce it calmly and when your dog needs a veterinary dental check before you go any further.

Affiliate disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only include products that may support sensible, welfare-led dental care. No dental product replaces veterinary advice or treatment.

Key Takeaways

  • Brushing your dog’s teeth prevents plaque build-up and gum disease, making regular dental care essential.
  • Start slowly and create positive associations; use dog-safe toothpaste and a suitable toothbrush.
  • Daily brushing is ideal, but brushing at least three times a week is also beneficial.
  • Be cautious of dental chews; they support dental care but cannot replace brushing or veterinary checks.
  • Monitor your dog’s mouth health and seek veterinary advice for any signs of discomfort or dental disease.

Daily brushing with dog-safe toothpaste is the most effective home method of reducing plaque on a dog’s teeth. Introduce mouth handling slowly, keep sessions short and stop if your dog shows discomfort or worry. Persistent bad breath, red or bleeding gums, difficulty eating, drooling, swelling, loose teeth or a broken tooth need veterinary advice. Dental chews and other products may support an appropriate dental routine, but they do not replace brushing or professional treatment.

Table of contents

Quick answer: Why should you brush your dog’s teeth?

Brushing removes soft plaque from the surface of your dog’s teeth before it hardens into tartar.

Without suitable dental care, plaque and tartar can contribute to inflamed gums, periodontal disease, infection, loose teeth and ongoing pain. Bad breath may be one sign of a problem, but fresh breath is not the main objective. The aim is a comfortable, healthy mouth.

Daily brushing is ideal. If that is not immediately realistic, build towards it gradually. The Royal Veterinary College’s dog dentistry advice explains that brushing at least three times a week can still make a meaningful difference.

What plaque and tartar do to a dog’s mouth

Plaque is a soft, sticky film that forms on the teeth. Regular brushing can help remove it.

If plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar. Tartar cannot normally be brushed away at home. It can extend around and below the gumline, where disease may continue even when the visible part of a tooth does not look terrible.

Dental disease can lead to:

  • sore, inflamed or bleeding gums
  • persistent bad breath
  • pain while chewing
  • loose or damaged teeth
  • infection
  • reluctance to eat certain foods
  • changes in behaviour or tolerance of handling

Dogs do not always stop eating when their mouth hurts. Some continue because eating is necessary, but chew differently, eat more slowly or avoid one side of the mouth.

The PDSA guide to dental disease in dogs explains why regular checks remain important even when a dog appears to be eating normally.

How often should you brush your dog’s teeth?

Daily brushing is the best target because plaque begins building up again quickly.

That does not mean you should force a full brushing session on the first day. A dog who has never had their mouth handled may need several short sessions simply learning that the toothbrush and toothpaste are safe.

A useful progression might be:

  • a few seconds of calm face handling
  • briefly lifting one side of the lip
  • allowing the dog to taste dog toothpaste
  • touching one or two teeth with a finger or brush
  • brushing a few teeth
  • gradually working towards the whole outer surface of the mouth

Consistency matters more than rushing.

Check your dog’s mouth before you begin

Do not start a new brushing routine when your dog appears to have a painful mouth.

Arrange a veterinary check first if you notice:

  • persistent or suddenly worse bad breath
  • red, swollen or bleeding gums
  • thick yellow or brown tartar
  • drooling more than usual
  • blood around the mouth or on toys
  • dropping food
  • chewing on one side
  • reluctance to eat dry or harder food
  • pawing at the mouth
  • a loose, cracked or broken tooth
  • swelling around the face or jaw
  • yelping or pulling away when the face is touched
  • a new change in behaviour during eating or handling

Brushing a painful or damaged mouth can cause further discomfort. It also will not remove established tartar or treat an infection.

Contact your vet urgently if your dog cannot close their mouth, cannot eat because of pain, has significant facial swelling or has seriously injured a tooth or jaw.

My Dog Health and First Aid Hub explains the wider principle of noticing changes early and knowing when home care is not enough.

What do you need to brush a dog’s teeth?

Keep the equipment simple.

You will need:

  • toothpaste made specifically for dogs
  • a soft dog toothbrush that suits the size of your dog’s mouth
  • small rewards your dog already tolerates
  • a quiet, non-slip place
  • enough time to stop before either of you becomes frustrated

An enzymatic pet toothpaste can be a practical option. This Virbac C.E.T. enzymatic toothpaste and toothbrush kit includes dog-safe toothpaste and brushing tools. Check the current listing and choose a brush that is comfortable for your dog’s size.

Never use human toothpaste. It is not designed to be swallowed by dogs and may contain unsuitable ingredients. Some human dental products contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

Do not use human mouthwash either.

How to brush your dog’s teeth step by step

1. Choose a calm moment

Do not begin when your dog is excited, overtired, worried or desperate to leave.

Use a quiet room and a surface where they feel secure. Let your dog move away. A dog who knows they can pause is often more willing to take part next time.

2. Introduce gentle face handling

Briefly touch the side of your dog’s face, then reward and stop.

Over several sessions, progress to lifting the lip for a second. You do not need to open the whole mouth or hold the jaw shut.

Watch your dog’s response. Turning away, becoming still, licking their lips repeatedly, showing the whites of the eyes, lowering their body or leaving are all reasons to pause.

My dog body language and behaviour guide explains how quieter signals can tell you that a dog needs more space.

3. Let your dog investigate the toothpaste

Place a tiny amount of dog toothpaste on your finger and allow your dog to sniff or lick it.

Do not push it into their mouth. The aim is to create a positive and predictable introduction.

4. Touch one or two teeth

When your dog is comfortable with the previous steps, lift the lip and briefly touch one or two teeth with your finger, a soft cloth or an appropriate finger brush.

Take care with finger brushes if your dog is likely to snap, grab or become frightened. Your safety matters too. A long-handled brush may keep your fingers farther from the mouth.

5. Introduce the toothbrush

Let your dog sniff the brush first.

Lift the lip and brush one or two teeth using a gentle circular movement around the gumline. Reward your dog and finish.

You do not need to prise the mouth open. Concentrate on the outside surfaces of the teeth, where plaque commonly builds and where you can work without forcing the jaw.

6. Build up gradually

Add only a few more teeth when your dog remains relaxed.

Aim eventually to brush the outer surfaces on both sides, including the back teeth. These are easy to miss and important to clean.

The Dogs Trust step-by-step tooth-brushing guide includes a gradual process for dogs who are new to brushing.

7. Finish while it is still going well

Do not wait until your dog has had enough.

A calm ten-second session is more useful than a two-minute struggle that makes tomorrow harder.

What if your dog will not let you brush their teeth?

First, stop trying to complete the whole job.

Go back to the last stage your dog could manage comfortably. That may be looking at the brush, accepting a cheek touch or licking a little toothpaste from your finger.

If your dog previously accepted mouth handling and has suddenly begun avoiding it, arrange a veterinary check. Pain may be the reason.

If your dog is very frightened, has a history of snapping or guards their mouth, do not put yourself at risk. Ask your vet for advice. A qualified, reward-based behaviour professional may also help after pain and dental disease have been assessed.

Avoid restraining your dog, pinning them in place, holding the muzzle tightly or punishing growling. A growl is information that the dog is uncomfortable. Removing the warning does not remove the discomfort.

Can dental chews replace brushing?

No. Dental chews may support a suitable dental-care plan, but brushing remains the most effective home method of removing plaque.

If you use a dental chew:

  • choose the correct size for your dog
  • check the age and weight guidance
  • supervise your dog
  • count its calories within the daily food allowance
  • avoid it if your vet has advised dietary restrictions
  • stop using it if your dog tries to swallow large pieces

The Veterinary Oral Health Council reviews evidence submitted for dental products and lists products accepted for plaque or tartar control. You can check the current VOHC accepted-products list before buying.

Purina DentaLife Daily Oral Care dog chews are included on the VOHC accepted list for tartar control in European sizes. They still need to be the correct size for your dog, supervised and included within the day’s food allowance.

My Dog Food and Nutrition Hub explains why dental chews, treats and food used for enrichment all count towards the dog’s daily intake.

What about water additives, gels and dental diets?

Some dogs cannot tolerate brushing immediately. Your vet may recommend a suitable water additive, oral gel, dental diet or other product as part of an individual plan.

These products are not interchangeable, and a marketing claim on the packet is not proof that a product works.

Ask:

  • Is it intended for dogs?
  • Is there evidence for plaque or tartar control?
  • Is it suitable for my dog’s health and diet?
  • How often must it be used?
  • Does my vet recommend it for this dog?

Dry food on its own should not be treated as a toothbrush. A veterinary dental diet may be formulated differently from ordinary kibble, but normal dry biscuits do not replace brushing.

Avoid very hard chews

Bones, antlers, hooves and very hard chews can damage teeth. A product lasting a long time does not automatically make it safe.

The PDSA warns that hard chews can cause slab fractures, where part of a tooth breaks and exposes the sensitive tissue inside.

Consider your dog’s age, existing dental health and chewing style. Remove damaged chews and toys, supervise use and ask your veterinary team if you are unsure.

This is particularly important for older dogs. My Senior Dog Care Guide covers changes in eating, comfort and behaviour that should not simply be dismissed as old age.

Puppies and early dental care

Puppyhood is a useful time to introduce calm face and mouth handling, but keep it gentle.

Your puppy will lose their baby teeth as the adult teeth emerge. Sore gums and teething can affect what they are comfortable doing on a particular day.

Practise tiny steps without forcing the mouth. Ask your vet to check that the adult teeth are developing normally and whether any retained baby teeth need attention.

My Bringing a Puppy Home guide covers the wider routines, rest, feeding and calm learning that help a puppy settle.

Older dogs and dogs with an unknown history

It is not automatically too late to introduce brushing to an older dog.

However, an older dog or a recently adopted dog may already have tartar, painful gums, damaged teeth or a strong worry about mouth handling. Arrange a veterinary dental check before assuming that reluctance is a training problem.

Begin with observation and very small steps. Your dog may need treatment before brushing becomes comfortable.

Professional dental cleaning

Home brushing prevents plaque build-up. It does not replace professional treatment when dental disease is already present.

A veterinary dental procedure may include a full examination, dental X-rays, cleaning above and below the gumline and extraction of painful or damaged teeth. This is normally carried out under general anaesthetic so the mouth can be assessed and treated safely and thoroughly.

So-called anaesthesia-free dental cleaning cannot provide the same examination and cleaning below the gumline. It should not be used as a substitute for a veterinary dental procedure.

Dental treatment can be a significant expense. My guide to the real cost of owning a dog includes dental examinations, treatment and insurance questions owners may otherwise overlook.

What I notice when caring for a dog

I am a professional dog walker and pet sitter, not a vet.

My role is to follow the owner’s established routine and notice when something appears different from normal.

That might include a dog who:

  • suddenly refuses a usual treat
  • drops food they would normally eat
  • chews only on one side
  • avoids picking up a familiar toy
  • paws at their mouth
  • becomes unusually sensitive around their face

I would report those changes to the owner rather than trying to diagnose or treat the cause. I would also never introduce a dental chew, toothpaste or other product while caring for a dog without the owner’s agreement.

If your dog needs calm, individual care that follows their familiar routine, you can read about my house sitting and in-home pet care or one-to-one dog walks in Finchley and Muswell Hill.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?

Daily brushing is ideal. If your dog is new to it, build up slowly. Brushing at least three times a week can still be helpful, but do not force a frightened dog or brush a painful mouth.

Can I use human toothpaste on my dog?

No. Use toothpaste made specifically for dogs. Human toothpaste is not designed to be swallowed by dogs and may contain unsuitable or dangerous ingredients.

Do I need to brush the inside of my dog’s teeth?

Focus first on the outer surfaces and gumline. These are easier to reach without opening the mouth and are where plaque commonly accumulates. Your vet or veterinary nurse can demonstrate a suitable technique for your dog.

Can brushing remove brown tartar?

Brushing removes soft plaque but will not normally remove established tartar. Your dog may need a professional veterinary dental assessment and treatment.

Are dental sticks as good as brushing?

No. A suitable dental chew may support oral care, but it does not replace regular brushing or veterinary checks. Look for evidence such as the VOHC Seal, use the correct size and include the calories in your dog’s daily allowance.

Is bad breath normal for dogs?

A mild smell after eating can happen, but persistent or unpleasant bad breath should not simply be accepted as normal. It can be associated with dental disease or another health problem, so ask your vet to check it.

What if my dog growls when I touch their mouth?

Stop and give them space. Do not punish the growl. Arrange a veterinary check, particularly if the response is new, because dental pain may be involved. Once medical causes have been assessed, a qualified reward-based professional can help with gradual handling if needed.

When should a puppy start having their teeth brushed?

You can begin introducing gentle face handling and dog-safe toothpaste when your puppy is young. Keep sessions very short and positive. Ask your vet for advice around teething and the change from baby to adult teeth.

Final thoughts

Brushing your dog’s teeth is not about winning a battle with a toothbrush.

It is a gradual care routine that should feel predictable and safe.

Start with a healthy, comfortable mouth. Use dog-safe toothpaste. Keep each session short. Build up at your dog’s pace and aim for daily brushing when they can manage it.

Dental chews and other products may provide additional support, but they do not replace brushing, regular veterinary checks or treatment when disease is already present.

Most importantly, notice change.

Bad breath, reluctance to chew, dropping food, bleeding gums or sudden discomfort around the face are not things to brush aside.

Veterinary disclaimer: This guide provides general information and does not replace an examination, diagnosis or treatment from your veterinary team. Contact your vet if your dog has signs of dental disease, pain, injury, difficulty eating or a sudden change in behaviour. Do not attempt to treat established dental disease yourself.

Related Posts