How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth

Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is an important part of his overall health care. Poor oral care not only leads to problems with chewing, eating and bad breath but can also increase your dog’s susceptibility to periodontal disease, heart disease and bacterial infections affecting other vital organs.  Smaller dogs and toy breeds tend to have more issues with dental health because they have smaller mouths leading to overcrowding of their teeth.

A best practice is to desensitize your dog at an early age to having his teeth and gums touched. Start them young by rubbing their teeth and gums for just a few seconds at a time with flavored dog toothpaste on your fingers or some yummy wet dog food or even a bit of bacon grease.  As your dog becomes more comfortable, you can progress toward using a finger toothbrush to clean his teeth.

Make sure to buy a chicken, beef, or poultry-flavored toothpaste made specifically for dogs. Human toothpaste contains fluoride or sometimes xylitol, both of which are toxic to dogs.  You can use either a finger toothbrush or a soft bristled dog toothbrush depending upon your preference.  Always be careful when putting your fingers into your dog’s mouth. Any dog can bite, even ones who have been desensitized to having their mouths touched, especially if his mouth is painful.

Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush and let your dog lick it. Then gently raise his upper lip either with the index finger on your opposite hand or by putting your thumb and index finger over his snout and gently lifting his upper lip with your index finger. You will likely only be able to brush your dog’s teeth for several seconds at a time, so focus on the back molars and the pointy canine teeth in the front as these teeth are more prone to the buildup of plaque and tartar.  Move the brush in a circular fashion and then back and forth over the outside of the teeth. Proceed to brushing the lower teeth by stabilizing the jaw and pulling the lips down with your index finger.

If your dog becomes uncomfortable or snappy, stop brushing and try again another day. You don’t need to rinse or remove the toothpaste from the dog’s mouth. If you notice red, swollen gums or broken or missing teeth, notify your vet.  You can follow up brushing your dog’s teeth with a tasty treat as a positive reinforcer to set the stage for the next session.