How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth, Step by Step
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Most dogs will accept toothbrushing, but very few accept it on day one. The usual mistake is to squeeze toothpaste onto a brush, hold the dog's muzzle and start scrubbing. The dog learns that the whole thing is unpleasant, and the next attempt is harder. The method below spreads the introduction over roughly two weeks, one small step at a time, and lets the dog set the pace.
What you need
- Dog toothpaste. Choose one made for dogs, usually in a meat flavour. Never use human toothpaste, which can contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs to swallow, and dogs can't spit.
- A finger brush or a small dog toothbrush. A finger brush is a soft rubber or silicone cover that fits over your fingertip and is easier for a nervous first-timer. A long-handled dog brush gives better reach once the dog is relaxed.
- A few small treats that your dog already loves, and a quiet moment when the dog is calm, such as after a walk.
The introduction, step by step
Timings below are guides. Most dogs need a few days at each stage, and some need longer. If your dog looks worried at any point, drop back to the previous step.
- Days 1 to 3: taste the toothpaste. Put a little dog toothpaste on your finger and let the dog lick it off. Praise, treat, finish. Do this once or twice a day until the dog is eager.
- Days 3 to 5: touch the mouth. Let the dog lick the toothpaste, then gently run a toothpaste-covered finger along the outside of the upper lip. Don't open the mouth yet. A few seconds is enough.
- Days 5 to 7: lift the lip. Slide a finger under the lip and rub the front of the teeth and the gums for a few seconds. Stop before the dog pulls away, and reward.
- Days 7 to 9: bring in the brush. Let the dog lick toothpaste off the finger brush or toothbrush. Then touch it to the teeth, still only briefly.
- Days 9 to 12: brush a few teeth. Brush the outer surfaces of the upper teeth on one side, using small circles at the gumline where plaque gathers. Ten to fifteen seconds is plenty.
- Days 12 to 14 and after: build up. Add more teeth, then the other side, then the lower teeth. A short session covering the outside of all teeth is the goal. The inside surfaces get less plaque, so the outer teeth, especially the back ones, matter most.
End each session on a good note, with praise and a treat or a game. Keep the same time and place so the dog learns the routine.
How often and for how long
Daily is the usual recommendation from vets, because plaque forms continuously. If that isn't realistic, several times a week is better than occasional bursts. A full session for most dogs takes around a minute or two once you are both used to it.
Brushing does not remove tartar that has already hardened. If you can see a thick brown or yellow crust on the teeth, the red gums above it need a vet's assessment, and the scraping is best left to a professional. Our guide to the signs of dental disease in dogs explains what to look for.
If your dog resists
- Go back a step. Resistance often means the steps moved on too fast. Return to the stage the dog was relaxed at and stay there for a few more days.
- Shorten the session. Five seconds followed by a reward beats a minute of struggling.
- Change the tool. Some dogs dislike the feel of a brush but tolerate a finger brush, and others prefer a piece of damp gauze wrapped round a finger.
- Try a different flavour. Dog toothpastes come in several flavours, and a dog that is indifferent to one may like another.
- Pick a calmer time. A dog that is wound up or hungry is less likely to cooperate.
- Never force it. Holding a struggling dog down creates a fear that is hard to undo.
Some dogs, particularly older ones with sore mouths, will never accept a brush. Pain is a common reason for resistance, so a dog that was fine and suddenly objects to the mouth being touched should see a vet before you assume it is stubbornness.
When to stop and ask for help
Stop and book a vet appointment if gums bleed easily during brushing, the breath has become noticeably worse, a tooth looks loose or chipped, the dog snaps or yelps when the mouth is touched, or there is any swelling on the face. A bit of mild pink on the brush in the first few days can happen when gums are slightly inflamed, but if it continues, get it checked.
If brushing is impossible for your dog, chews are an imperfect second-best, and our guide to the best dental chews for dogs shows the options. For the wider picture of why this matters, read our guide to dog dental health.