How to brush your dog's teeth, step by step

Key points

• Brush daily or at least three times a week: plaque turns into tartar within two or three days.
• Never use human toothpaste: some contain xylitol, and almost all contain fluoride and foaming agents that dogs swallow.
• Dog toothpaste is safe to swallow and doesn't need rinsing.
• Focus on the outer surfaces of the canines and upper back teeth, where most tartar builds up.
• If there's already tartar, bleeding gums or pain, see the vet first: brushing a sore mouth will make your dog hate it.

Learning how to brush your dog's teeth is the most effective thing you can do at home for their mouth, and most dogs end up accepting it if you get them used to it patiently. All you need is a suitable brush, a dog-specific toothpaste and one or two minutes a day.

Plaque starts hardening into tartar within two or three days, and once it's tartar, brushing won't remove it. That's why consistency matters more than perfect technique. In this guide you'll find what to buy, why human toothpaste won't do, a three-week plan to get your dog to accept brushing, and how to go about each session.

Which toothpaste and brush to use

Toothpaste: always one made for dogs. They're designed to be swallowed, don't foam and usually taste of chicken or malt, which helps a lot. Many are enzymatic, with enzymes that help against plaque bacteria, but what really cleans is the brushing action.

Never human toothpaste: some contain xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs, and almost all contain fluoride and foaming agents meant to be spat out. Don't use baking soda or salt either: they taste awful, your dog swallows them and they add nothing the brush doesn't already do.

Tool	Best for	Pros and cons
Gauze wrapped around your finger	The first few weeks	Dogs accept it well; doesn't clean much along the gum line
Silicone finger brush	Dogs that won't tolerate a toothbrush	Easy to use; less effective, and there's a risk of an accidental nip
Soft-bristled child's toothbrush	Small dogs	Cheap, with a small head
Long-handled or dual-headed dog toothbrush	Medium and large dogs	Reaches the back teeth easily

Replace the brush every three months, or sooner if the bristles splay.

A three-week plan to get your dog used to it

When	What you do	Goal
Days 1-3	Let them lick a little toothpaste off your finger	Link the toothpaste with something tasty
Days 4-7	Lift the lip and run your finger with toothpaste over the canines for 5-10 seconds	Accept having their mouth touched
Week 2	Gauze or finger brush: rub the canines and back teeth on one side, then the other	Get used to the rubbing
Week 3	Switch to the toothbrush and gradually build up to 1-2 minutes	Full routine

Keep sessions short, always at the same time and in the same place, and stop before your dog gets stressed. Finish with a treat or a game. If they resist one day, go back to the previous stage for a few days.

Puppies: start touching their mouth and lips from the day they come home. While their teeth are changing, between 3 and 7 months, their gums are sore: use only your finger or a gauze pad, gently.

Which teeth to brush and how

An adult dog has 42 teeth, but they don't all build up tartar equally. It forms most on the outer surfaces of the canines and upper back teeth, especially the large upper tooth level with the corner of the mouth, because that's where the salivary glands open.

• Your dog doesn't need to open their mouth: lift the lip with the mouth closed and brush the outside.
• Angle the brush at about 45 degrees toward the gum and make small circles. The plaque that does the most damage sits right at the gum line.
• About 30 seconds per side is enough at first.
• The tongue partly cleans the inner surfaces; if your dog allows it, brush those too.

What complements brushing and what doesn't

• Dental chews and water additives with the VOHC seal: they've been shown to reduce some plaque or tartar. Count the calories in the chews.
• Raw carrot: a good crunchy, low-calorie treat, but it doesn't clean much.
• Bones, antlers, hooves and very hard toys: no. They're a common cause of broken teeth. If you can't make a mark in it with your fingernail, it's too hard for their teeth. We explain this in our guide to bones for dogs.
• Tennis balls: their surface is abrasive and wears down the enamel in dogs that chew them a lot.

If what worries you is the smell, in bad breath in dogs we go over its causes and the warning signs.

When to see the vet before you start brushing

Brushing slows down plaque buildup, but it doesn't remove tartar that has already formed. Book an appointment before you start if you see:

• Brown or yellow tartar on the teeth.
• Red gums that bleed a lot when touched.
• A tooth that's broken, gray or pinkish (the pulp may be damaged) or loose.
• Your dog chewing on one side only, drooling, dropping food or disliking having their face touched.

If needed, your vet will do an ultrasonic cleaning under anesthesia, which is the only way to clean below the gum line. Right after that is the best time to start brushing. Slight bleeding the first few times is common if there's some gingivitis; if it continues after a week of gentle brushing, mention it to your vet.

What you need

• Dog toothpaste
• A dog toothbrush, a soft-bristled child's toothbrush or a silicone finger brush
• Gauze pads for the first few weeks
• Small treats or their favorite toy

Step by step

1. Pick your moment

   Ideally when your dog is calm, for example after the evening walk, and always in the same place.

2. Add toothpaste and let them lick it

   A pea-sized amount on the brush. Let them lick it first, so they know what's coming.

3. Lift the lip

   With the mouth closed, gently lift the lip on one side and start with the upper canine.

4. Brush the outer surfaces

   Brush at 45 degrees toward the gum, in small circles, from the back teeth toward the front. About 30 seconds per side.

5. Switch sides

   Repeat on the other side and leave the front teeth for last, brushing them more gently, because they're more sensitive.

6. Finish with a reward

   No rinsing needed. Praise, reward or play for a while. Rinse the brush with water and let it air-dry.

Frequently asked questions

What toothpaste can I use on my dog?

Only a toothpaste made for dogs. It's safe to swallow, doesn't foam and usually tastes of chicken or malt, which makes brushing easier. Never use human toothpaste: some contain xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs, and almost all contain fluoride and foaming agents meant to be spat out. You'll find dog toothpaste at vet clinics and pet stores.

Can I brush my dog's teeth with baking soda?

It's not a good idea. Baking soda tastes very bad, which makes dogs refuse brushing, and they end up swallowing it. It also adds nothing the brush can't do on its own, and the brush is what actually sweeps away plaque. Use a dog-specific toothpaste or, if you've run out that day, brush with just a damp toothbrush.

At what age can I start brushing my dog's teeth?

You can start getting them used to it as a puppy, touching their mouth and lips and letting them lick dog toothpaste. While their teeth are changing, roughly between 3 and 7 months, the gums are sore, so it's best to use only your finger or a gauze pad. Once their adult teeth are in, you can move on to the toothbrush.

What do I do if my dog won't let me brush their teeth?

Go back to the previous stage and progress more slowly, with sessions of just a few seconds and a treat at the end. Many dogs accept gauze or a finger brush before a toothbrush. If they whimper, pull away sharply or try to bite, their mouth may hurt: have your vet check it before you keep trying.