How to brush your dog's teeth at home
Checked against 4 sources
Brush daily if you can manage it — plaque starts building up again within two or three days of a clean — using a toothpaste made for dogs, never a human one, since the fluoride and xylitol in ours can harm him12. Start slowly: a finger on his gums first, then a taste of the paste, then a finger brush or small toothbrush, building up over days rather than forcing it on day one13. If daily brushing isn't realistic yet, a VOHC-approved chew or dental diet helps in the meantime, though nothing fully replaces brushing14.
- Frequency
- Daily is best; at least three times a week if daily isn't possible1
- Plaque clock
- Builds up again within 2–3 days of a clean2
- Chews, if he won't let you brush
- Helpful, but shouldn't be more than about a tenth of his daily food1
On this page
Step by step: getting him used to it
- Start by touching his lips and gums gently with a finger for a few days, no brush at all, so he gets used to the handling23.
- Let him taste a little dog toothpaste off your finger a few times, before any brushing begins13.
- Move to a finger brush or a small, soft-bristled toothbrush — a child's toothbrush works fine too3. Brush gently in small circles along the gum line, mainly the outer surfaces of the teeth2.
- Once he's comfortable, aim for daily brushing, since plaque starts building up again within two to three days of a clean2.
- Keep sessions short, and end on a good note with praise or a game23.
Never use human toothpaste
Human toothpaste often contains fluoride and xylitol, both of which can harm a dog if swallowed — and he will swallow it. Use a toothpaste made and flavoured for dogs instead12.
If he won't let you brush yet
- A dental chew or treat can help in the meantime — look for the VOHC seal, which means its plaque or tartar control claim has been checked against real evidence, not just a marketing claim4.
- Keep chews to around a tenth of his daily food at most, so they don't add too many extra calories1.
- Dry kibble removes a little plaque as he chews, but it does far less than brushing1.
- Keep working on brushing in small steps — nothing fully replaces it, not even a VOHC-approved chew4.
Signs of a dental problem — call your vet
Checked against vet sources. Not yet reviewed by a vet.
- Bad breath that doesn't go away13.
- Yellow or brown build-up on his teeth, or red, swollen or bleeding gums13.
- Going off his food, chewing on one side, or dropping food while eating13.
- A loose, broken or discoloured tooth13.
- Pawing at his mouth, drooling more than usual, or a swollen face1.
Not fully clear yet
Official sources disagree or leave gaps on these. Confirm before you rely on them.
Sources and how we check
Facts checked against the official and veterinary sources below by Thapki. Not yet reviewed by a vet. Written with AI help from the sources below, then checked line by line; the Thapki team reads and approves every page before it goes live. How we check
- 1Dental disease in dogs
- 2How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth
- 3Dog dental care and teeth cleaning
- 4About VOHC and the VOHC Seal