How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

In the UK, we are a nation of dog lovers, and nothing means more to us than taking the very best care of our pets. And that includes brushing their teeth! 

If you’re considering adopting a dog, you might not have realised how much goes into caring for pets. It can even be as intensive as looking after a baby. They have similar needs as humans but can’t communicate with words. So, if you have noticed your dog’s breath is not as fresh as it could be or their teeth aren’t looking very healthy, you might not be taking the best care of their teeth. But don’t worry; we are here to help. 

We have compiled a comprehensive guide on brushing your dog’s teeth, including tips and frequently asked questions with all the necessary information. Plus, you can also access our pet health pharmacy online to find everything you need in one place to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Do You Need to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?

Before we dive into how to brush your dog’s teeth, let’s go over if you need to and why it is so important. The answer, in short, is yes. It is highly important that you regularly brush your dog’s teeth. 

Many dog owners neglect to brush their dog’s teeth despite cleaning their own daily. So, what is the difference? 

Without regular teeth brushing, tartar and plaque can build up on your dog’s teeth and can lead to dental disease and gingivitis, otherwise known as gum disease. In fact, dental disease is one of the most common health problems experienced by adult dogs. If left untreated, it can cause severe pain and sore gums and teeth that can even put your dog off their food, leading to further complications. 

Signs & Symptoms of Poor Dental Health 

To help you stop your dog’s dental problems before they worsen, here are the signs and symptoms you must look out for. 

• Change in eating habits
• Bad breath 
• Teeth discolouration 
• Plaque build-up
• Red or swollen gums 
• Fractured or missing teeth

5 Steps to Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth 

So, now you know the importance of brushing your dog’s teeth, how can you get it done fuss-free? If you’re unsure how to accomplish this task once, let alone regularly, follow our simple steps! We promise it is easier to accomplish than it seems. 

Step 1: Teaching Position 

The first stage in making teeth brushing a regular habit for your dog is teaching them a position in which you can both be comfortable. This is with their heads resting in your palm. But how can you get your dog to sit still for an extended period without getting restless? 

Start by holding your hand flat, palm up, in front of their snout and slightly below their chin. In your other hand, hold a treat for your dog and slowly move it closer to your flat palm. As your dog puts their chin across your palm, reward the behaviour with an affirmative command, like ‘yes’ or ‘good’, and give them the treat. 

Repeat these steps, gradually phase out the treat, and only present it once they have put their head into position. Once they seamlessly repeat the actions, you can work on adding in a verbal cue element, like ‘chin’, if you think it necessary. 

Step 2: Make them Comfortable 

Once you have mastered getting them willingly into the correct position, it is time to make your dog comfortable with having their mouths touched. This is a slow process; you must be patient and follow your dog’s visual cues when they become restless or agitated. 

Start by touching the outside of your dog’s lips, removing your hand immediately and rewarding them with a treat. Gradually build up the length of time you touch their lips and handle more of their upper and lower jaw, rewarding them periodically. 

Once your dog is comfortable with the outside area of their mouth being touched, progress to touching the inside. Using the same hand positions, slide your finger inside the lips and over the gums, remove it quickly and offer them a treat. Repeat this process, gradually lengthening the time you spend touching inside their mouth. 

Step 3: Touch their Snout 

After getting them comfortable with touching around and inside their mouth, you must get your dog used to touching their snout, too. In some cases, touching their snouts can make your dog upset or uncomfortable, so be patient if your dog reacts. 

Using the same reward techniques, gently place your hand over their snout, increasing the length of time you make contact. Next, you should add the different steps together and touch their snout while sliding a finger over their gums. Remember to provide plenty of treats to keep them motivated. 

Step 4: Use the Brush 

You can introduce the toothbrush if you and your dog have mastered the above steps. Start by gently touching the brush to your dog’s teeth and gums and then progress to small circles. Break it down into multiple short sessions until, eventually, your dog is comfortable with you brushing all of their teeth in one sitting. 

You should practice this stage of teeth brushing a few times and reward your dog with a treat after every session. 

Step 5: Add the Toothpaste

Finally, it’s time to introduce your pup to toothpaste! Start slowly by putting a pea-sized amount on your dog’s toothbrush and allowing them to sniff and lick it. Once you’re satisfied they’re comfortable, begin brushing your dog’s teeth with the same amount of toothpaste. 

If they show signs of discomfort, work your way up to brushing their full set of teeth by going one at a time. This means just brushing over one tooth and its gum line before moving on to two or three and gradually brushing them all. 

When brushing their teeth, start straight brushing left to right and then add a gentle circular motion. Reward them after each session with a treat, and don’t forget to use specially formulated dog toothpaste. These are typically enzymatic and designed to break down plaque and reduce bad breath. You can find a range of options in our collection of pet toothpaste available. 

Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth FAQs

Now that you know the basics of brushing your dog’s teeth so they will feel comfortable, let’s review some finer details. We have gathered some of our most frequently asked questions about brushing your dog’s teeth to help you get started. For more advice and information, browse our animal health information hub or contact us today with any questions. 

When should you start brushing your dog’s teeth?

It is best to introduce dogs to having their teeth brushed when they are a puppy so they can be accustomed to the hygiene routine. However, suppose you have adopted an older dog who has not experienced regular teeth brushing. In that case, you should introduce it positively and gradually. 

Some signs of discomfort during the process are normal and are your indicator to slow down and take baby steps. However, if your dog seems worried when brushing their teeth, consult your vet for more expert advice. 

How often should you brush your dog’s teeth?

Just like humans, brushing your dog’s teeth should be a daily occurrence. However, just one brush a day is sufficient. It is also fine to miss one or two sessions a week. Listen to your dog’s cues on what they feel comfortable with and how many brushing sessions they can manage. 

Can you use human toothpaste on a dog’s teeth?

No, you can not use human toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth. Human toothpaste contains ingredients that, if swallowed by your dog, can lead to an upset stomach or a disturbance to their digestive system. Plus, there are different types of human toothpaste, each with various ingredients that could cause harm to your dog. For example, some kinds of toothpaste with high sodium levels could make your pet seriously ill, and others with xylitol are also toxic to dogs. 

Use dog-safe pet toothpaste only to brush your dog’s teeth to keep them happy and healthy. 

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