Tips For Brushing A Dog’s Teeth (Canine Dental Care 101)

Quick Summary

• Start brushing your dog’s teeth as early as puppyhood, since the sooner you start improving their dental hygiene, the less likely they will get gum disease or any other dental disease.
• Make sure to get a dog-specific toothbrush with softer bristles, and avoid using regular human toothpaste when brushing their teeth as it contains ingredients that are poisonous to dogs.
• Brushing a dog’s teeth is similar to brushing. your own teeth! However, if your dog does not like getting their teeth brushed, you can also give them dental chews, use baking soda, or use a wet cloth to keep their teeth clean.

Do you put off brushing your dog’s teeth because it usually turns into a chase around the house or a wrestling match? Are you concerned that you don’t really know how to brush their teeth? If so, you’ve come to the right place! A dog’s dental health is incredibly important, so it is essential to know the proper ways to care for your furry friend. Over 80 percent of dogs 3 years old and older suffer from periodontal disease. This disease comes from infections and the inflammation of the gums and bone that supports the teeth. The first thing you should know is that brushing your dog’s teeth is slightly different than brushing your own! You only need to brush the side of their teeth facing their cheeks. Dental experts recommend brushing their teeth once a day in a downward direction. So, with these simple tips for brushing a dog’s teeth, you can take action today to properly manage your dog’s dental care.

Furthermore, regular brushing can prevent yucky dog breath, which can be caused by a build-up of bacteria in the mouth. Caring for your dog’s mouth is an important part of your dog’s dental care.

When should you start improving your dog’s dental hygiene?

I’ve learned that, as with general dog grooming, you should start your dog’s dental routine as early as puppyhood—don’t wait until Fido is older and problems arise.

If your dog is very prone to tartar build-up, then brush their teeth daily. Otherwise, a weekly brush will keep their mouth healthy.

Choosing your dog’s toothbrush

Use a dog-specific toothbrush, which is smaller and has softer bristles than toothbrushes for humans. I have a dog toothbrush that fits over my finger, which. has worked great for me. Various sponges and pads are also a good option. Alternatively, you can wrap gauze around your finger and rub your their teeth. However, the best way to brush their teeth is to use a canine dog toothbrush and canine pet toothpaste which you can buy at most pet stores.

Is human toothpaste bad for dogs?

Never use human toothpaste on your dog, as it is too high in salt and fluoride. Human toothpaste also contains a chemical known as xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs [1]. Your dog will swallow the toothpaste (unless you have a clever dog that is trained to spit, rinse and gargle!), causing an upset stomach.

You need to use dog-specific toothpaste, which comes in nice doggie flavors like liver, steak, seafood, and peanut butter. Apply a small amount of dog-specific toothpaste to the toothbrush (or your finger), and gently brush the teeth and gums. Try to do this at least once a day, but preferably twice a day.

Tips for brushing their teeth

• As with any new experience, it may take a little while for your dog to get used to the sensation of having their teeth brushed.
• Start off by not even using a dog’s toothbrush, but just touching and stroking their cheeks, so they start to get used to motions that correspond to brushing teeth. Progress to gently pulling their lips up and rubbing your finger on their teeth and gums. Remember to reward them with treats and praise for remaining calm while you do this.
• Introduce your dog to their toothbrush by letting them sniff and lick it. Gently rub it around their mouth, and work your way to putting it in their mouth where you can start brushing a few teeth.
• Also, get them acquainted with their toothpaste. Dab a little on your finger and let them eat it to see if they like the taste or not.

Brushing with baking soda

Tooth brushing with baking soda is a great way to keep your dog’s teeth clean. Not only is it affordable and easy to do, but it also helps to remove plaque and tartar buildup.

Mix together one teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to create a paste to get started. Scoop the paste up with your toothbrush, and begin brushing their teeth.

To get the best results, you should brush their teeth twice a week for five minutes each time. The toothpaste will remove tartar buildup, freshen your dog’s breath, and leave them with clean teeth! I’ve found that many dogs, including my fidgety furry friend Howie, will grow to expect and enjoy brushing if it becomes a part of their daily routine.

Things to do before brushing

Before brushing, examine their teeth and gums first. Check for any plaque or tartar build-up on the teeth and red or inflamed gums. If this is the case, take your dog to your vet first to get some dental cleanings with specific dental tools. Otherwise, your brushing efforts will be in vain, or in the case of inflamed gums, may cause pain. Many pet owners, like myself, feel that using a finger brush is simpler, especially when they are just starting to get their teeth brushed and when your dog gets a bit older.

Brushing technique: How to brush your dog’s teeth?

I’ve found that brushing a dog’s teeth is really just like brushing your own teeth! Make sure you get to all sides, the gum line, and up the back teeth too. Try and make it a fun experience for your dog so they won’t resist your future attempts to brush their teeth.

The best way to brush their teeth is to use a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste which you can buy at most pet stores. When I started brushing Howie’s teeth, I used finger brushes to start brushing a few teeth before building up to the whole mouth being cleaned. Wet the toothbrush, put some toothpaste on the bristles, and start brushing their teeth in a circular motion. Brush the front teeth and then the bottom teeth. Make sure you brush along the gum line as well to lower the chances of gum disease. If you notice any redness or swelling in the mouth around a few teeth or the gum line, take your dog to the vet so they can get a professional dental cleaning and get treatment for any dental disease they may have.

Make sure to get all of the teeth, including the back teeth. It may take a little bit of time for your dog to get used to this, but soon it will come to enjoy the brushing session as much as you do. Praise and reward them with a treat afterward. Positive reinforcement is essential in dog training, especially if your dog despises having their teeth cleaned.

More information on your pooch’s teeth

The front teeth of your pooch are used to catch prey when it is hunting. This means it is essential to keep their front teeth strong so they can eat their food without many problems. Keeping the teeth clean helps the teeth stay overall strong and healthy.

The lower teeth of your dog are also important to clean as they come into contact with the ground when your dog is running and playing. The build-up of plaque and tartar on these teeth can cause dental disease, bad breath, gum disease, and even tooth loss which can be extremely painful.

Dog treats that are designed to improve oral health

Some dental treats, in addition to toothpaste and toothbrushes, are made to aid your dog’s health and prevent gum disease. If your dog despises the activity of tooth brushing, there are certain solutions that might help you to still clean their teeth.

If you find that your dog’s teeth are really dirty, immediately follow our tips for brushing their teeth. You can also use a washcloth with some canine toothpaste to clean them. Just wet the cloth and use it in a circular motion on your pooch’s teeth until you have covered all of them.

To get rid of plaque build-up, you can engage in brushing their teeth frequently. Dogs don’t need to have their teeth brushed every day but try to do it at least once or twice a week to prevent the onset of gum disease.

If you find that your dog is having trouble with plaque build-up, you may need to get them some professional dental cleanings from the vet. This is a procedure in which the vet will clean your dog’s teeth with a special tool. It is an expensive procedure but it is well worth it in keeping your dog healthy and make sure they don’t have a lot of pain. In the long run, your dog will thank you. With these tips for brushing a dog’s teeth, you can make your pet’s teeth cleaning regimen quick, simple, and successful.