How to clean your dog's teeth

Adult dogs have 10 more teeth than humans do! With 42 permanent teeth, these gnashers are key to a healthy mouth – so it’s important to look after them. 

Getting your dog to let you take care of their teeth is another story, though. Here are some top tips on how to clean your dog’s pearly whites…

What you need before you start

• A toothbrush* that’s the right size for your dog’s teeth and alignment.
• Toothpaste suitable for dogs* (other types might be harmful).
• A reward ready for when you’re finished.
• A relaxed and calming environment, so your dog will feel at ease.

How to brush your dog’s teeth

If you have a puppy, it’s a good idea to start brushing their teeth as soon as possible. Letting them get used to the idea of having their teeth brushed from a young age can help to keep your puppy’s teeth gleaming as they grow.

For older dogs, booking them in for a dental assessment with your vet before you start a new dental routine could make sure any existing problems are treated. By having your older dog’s teeth assessed or cleaned by a vet before trying to brush them yourself, you can avoid causing discomfort to your pooch.

Short and slow

Keep your brushing sessions short to begin with, as this will ensure your dog stays interested and cooperative. 

For example, if the tooth brushing session goes on for too long, your dog is less likely to accept it and might become bored or agitated.

Timing is important

To ensure that plaque doesn’t get the chance to build on your dog’s teeth, it is important for tooth brushing to become part of their daily routine. 

Make sure tooth brushing is performed at the same time each day, ideally when your dog is calm and quiet. If your dog is food orientated, you may want to try brushing their teeth before their dinner, so they can be rewarded with a yummy bowl of their food!

As with all training, consistency is key – so don’t give up, even if you don’t seem to be making progress quickly enough.

A little bit at a time

It’s a good idea to increase tooth brushing sessions gradually, as this will help your dog settle into a new routine. 

Start by getting your dog used to you touching their muzzle area and lips. Once your dog is comfortable with this, slowly lift their lip and smear some of the flavoured dog toothpaste onto their upper teeth and gums with your finger. 

The next step, if your dog is happy with the finger toothpaste technique, is to place a pea-sized amount of dog toothpaste onto the special pet toothbrush. 

Lift the upper lip, but this time, brush in small circles gently on the outside surface of your dog’s upper teeth. 

At first, your dog might not tolerate this step for very long, so focus on brushing a few different teeth each day. Then, as soon as your dog is comfortable with tooth brushing, you should be able to brush all their teeth in one session.

Reward good behaviour

Praise and edible treats make great rewards for good behaviour once you’ve finished with your dog’s teeth for the day! 

Providing plenty of praise positively reinforces the tooth brushing process, and your dog is more likely to accept the invasion if they know they’re getting something nice from it.

Consider the vets

If brushing your dog’s teeth is a no go, then speak to your vet. They’ll provide information about oral gels, dental diets, and can even provide a dental check if an appointment is needed.

 Alternatives to brushing

While not as effective as brushing your dog’s teeth, certain alternatives can help keep their mouths healthy, for example:

• Offering fruit and vegetables as snacks might help to scrape food off their teeth, but won’t be effective against established plaque.
• Certain toys* are designed to clean your dog’s teeth.
• Buying vet-approved dental food for your dog that’s designed specifically for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Please note: Edible dental treats claim to be effective at reducing plaque and tartar, though the jury is still out on whether some of the ingredients are toxic in larger quantities.

Although the above alternatives appear much more convenient than cleaning your dog’s teeth by hand, tooth brushing is still the most effective method of managing canine dental health. Plus, brushing your dog’s teeth keeps you in control of your routine, to ensure it effectively removes all plaque and tartar build-up.

For more tips and tricks about cleaning your dog’s teeth, talk to the veterinary team at Joii Pet Care. Joii’s RCVS-registered vets and vet nurses are happy to advise you on the best products for your dog, alongside supporting you to create an effective tooth brushing routine.

*This webpage uses affiliate links for VioVet – meaning if you buy something through these links, Animal Friends may earn a commission.