Dog dental care: how to clean your dog's teeth

It's important to stay on top of your dog's dental hygiene. You can do this through daily brushing, a suitable diet and dental chews. This prevents the build up of plaque, which can lead to dental disease.

If your dog is not used to having their teeth brushed, you'll need to slowly train them using positive training methods. Read our guidance to help you get your dog used to brushing.

Why it's important to brush your dog's teeth

Dogs use their mouths for more than just eating. They use them to play, explore and taste a lot of their surroundings too. If your dog’s teeth aren’t properly cared for, it can start to cause problems.

If your dog’s teeth are not regularly cleaned, the plaque will build up and turn into tartar. This has a solid, brown, gritty look and feel. It can lead to inflammation and tenderness, which is painful for your dog especially when they try to eat. It can also go on to cause dental disease.

Signs of dental disease in dogs

• Red, swollen or bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Refusing food or difficulty eating (often due to pain)
• Missing teeth
• Pawing at their face or mouth

If you spot any signs of dental problems, contact your vet. Your dog may need their teeth cleaned or, in severe cases, removed.

How to keep your dog’s teeth clean at home

Prevention of dental issues is better than cure. You can start by brushing your dog’s teeth daily, using a suitable brush or rubber thimble. You can find these at your local pet shop or vet.

You'll also need to use a dog-friendly toothpaste. These are available in dog-friendly flavours such as chicken, to make them more appealing to your dog. Do not use human toothpaste, as it contains chemicals that can be toxic to dogs.  

Giving your dog dental chews and a suitable diet also has some effect in reducing plaque. The dental chews should be the correct size for your dog. If they are too small they can be a choking hazard. Hard chews can also risk fracturing your dog’s teeth, or wearing the teeth down. Keep in mind that many dental chews are high in calories. Reduce your dog’s normal food intake accordingly so that they don’t put on weight.

Specially formulated diets for dental care are also available. Your vet will be able to advise you on the most suitable food for your dog. 

How to brush your dog’s teeth

It's best to get your dog comfortable with having their teeth brushed from an early age. Whenever you're ready to begin training, make sure your dog is relaxed. Take it slowly and keep sessions short. End the sessions on a good note and stop while your dog is still happy. The steps below should be done over a period of time. This is to avoid overwhelming your dog.

1. Stroke your dog's cheek gently back and forth. This helps them get used to your hand being by their mouth. Try stroking their cheek at different times for two or three days before moving on.
2. Dab a bit of toothpaste on your finger. Allow your dog to sniff and lick it off.
3. When your dog has shown they enjoy the toothpaste, start to run your finger along the inside of their mouth, following the gum line. Again, practice this little and often for a few days.
4. When your dog is comfortable with you doing this, you can introduce them to the toothbrush. Dab some toothpaste on the brush and allow them to lick it off. Do not put the brush in their mouth right away.
5. When they're comfortable licking the toothbrush, you can gently start to brush their teeth. Focus on the front teeth first, with small, round motions. Stop regularly to let them lick the brush.
6. Once you're able to brush the front teeth and the canines, you can move onto the back teeth. Repeat the stopping and starting process.

After a couple of weeks you should be able to gently brush your dog’s teeth without any fuss. If you can, try to focus brushing where the teeth meet the gum.

If you have an older dog, it may take more time for them to accept brushing. But don't despair – it's still possible to train them with lots of patience and positivity.