Home dental care
How to brush your dog's teeth
Toothbrushing works best when it is introduced gradually and becomes a routine your dog can tolerate comfortably rather than something that has to be forced.
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Starting home dental care
If you are beginning a dental routine, the first goal is to make mouth handling and toothbrushing gradual, comfortable and sustainable.
Build the routine in small steps
Step 1
Start with comfortable mouth handling
Before introducing a toothbrush, help your dog become comfortable with brief, gentle handling around the lips and muzzle. Stop before the dog becomes worried or resistant.
Step 2
Introduce pet toothpaste separately
Use toothpaste formulated specifically for pets. Let the dog become familiar with the taste before combining toothpaste with brushing.
Step 3
Add a suitable brush gradually
Choose a soft brush that fits the dog's mouth comfortably. Begin with short sessions and focus on the outer surfaces of the teeth where plaque commonly accumulates.
Step 4
Build toward a consistent routine
Short, calm sessions performed consistently are more useful than occasional long sessions that create resistance. Daily brushing is a useful goal when the dog tolerates it comfortably.
Brushing is preventive care, not treatment for established disease
Brushing removes plaque but does not remove established calculus. If the gums are inflamed or brushing appears painful, have the mouth assessed before continuing a home-brushing program.
References
Selected sources supporting this guide.
Recommending home oral hygiene and products
https://www.aaha.org/resources/2019-aaha-dental-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/recommending-products/
Healthy mouth, healthy pet: How to prevent dental disease
https://www.aaha.org/resources/healthy-mouth-healthy-pet-why-dental-care-matters/
Periodontal Disease in Small Animals
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/dentistry-in-small-animals/periodontal-disease-in-small-animals
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