How to Brush a Dog’s Teeth: Step-by-Step Guide

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Brushing is the single most useful thing you can do at home for your dog’s teeth, and most dogs can learn to accept it if you go slowly. This page covers what you need, how to teach your dog to accept a toothbrush step by step, the brushing technique itself, how often to brush, and when brushing is not enough and your dog needs a vet.

The short answer: use a dog toothbrush or finger brush and toothpaste made for pets, never human toothpaste. Get your dog used to having its mouth touched, then to the taste of the paste, then to the brush, rewarding every small step. Brush the outer surfaces of the teeth, especially the big cheek teeth and the canines, for about 30 seconds per side. Daily is ideal; three times a week is the minimum VCA recommends.

Important: brushing helps remove soft plaque but cannot remove tartar that has already hardened. If your dog has brown or yellow tartar, red or bleeding gums, or bad breath that does not go away, see your vet before you start brushing.

Why brushing matters

VCA Animal Hospitals estimates that over 80% of dogs over the age of three have periodontal disease, an inflammation or infection of the tissues around the teeth. It starts as gingivitis caused by plaque, a buildup of bacteria on the teeth. VCA says plaque combines with minerals in saliva to become tartar (calculus) within about a day, and that untreated periodontal disease can lead to painful tooth loss (VCA Animal Hospitals). A second VCA article puts it this way: plaque that is not removed within 48 hours begins to harden into tartar that cannot be brushed away and must be scraped off by a professional (VCA Animal Hospitals).

The AKC quotes a veterinary dentist who says daily tooth brushing at home matters more than the professional cleaning he does, and it notes that plaque starts to build up again within two or three days of a cleaning (AKC). So brushing is not a replacement for vet dental care; it is what keeps the results of that care going.

What you need

• A dog toothbrush or finger brush. VCA lists brushes with angled handles, brushes with multiple heads, small brushes that fit in your hand and finger brushes that slip over your fingertip; for some dogs a soft baby toothbrush works. Many owners find a finger brush easier when they are just starting. Whatever you use, be gentle, because it is easy to poke the gums with the tip of the brush (VCA Animal Hospitals).
• Toothpaste made for pets. Never use human toothpaste. VCA says it contains ingredients that should not be swallowed, some contain a lot of sodium, and some contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Baking soda is not a good substitute either: VCA says it can upset the stomach if swallowed and dogs do not like the taste (VCA Animal Hospitals). The AKC also warns against the xylitol and fluoride in human toothpaste (AKC). Pet toothpaste comes in flavors dogs like, such as poultry, beef and malt.
• Small rewards. A behavior article from VCA suggests a treat your dog can lick rather than chew while you train (VCA Animal Hospitals).
• Gloves if you can. VCA notes that a dog’s mouth holds a lot of bacteria, so wear gloves or wash your hands well with soap and water afterwards (VCA Animal Hospitals).

If you are starting from nothing, a kit saves guesswork. Our pick is the Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit for dogs (poultry). Virbac says it contains a C.E.T. finger brush, a dual-ended toothbrush and C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste in poultry flavor (Virbac), so you get both a finger brush for the early lessons and a regular brush for later. Virbac says its C.E.T. toothpastes contain no foaming agents and are safe for pets to swallow (Virbac).

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) gives a Seal of Acceptance to dental products whose makers submit data showing they meet its standards for plaque or tartar control (VOHC), and VCA points readers to its accepted list at vohc.org (VCA Animal Hospitals). The seal is a useful extra check, but plenty of good pet toothpastes do not carry it, including the kit above.

How to get your dog used to brushing, step by step

Dogs do not naturally like having things put in their mouths, so you teach brushing in tiny steps and pair each step with something your dog enjoys. VCA’s behavior article calls this desensitization and counterconditioning: each step should be easy to accept, and if your dog gets worried, take a break and go back to an easier step next time (VCA Animal Hospitals). VCA says it is best to start while your dog is a puppy, but older dogs can learn too; it just takes longer (VCA Animal Hospitals).

1. Pick a quiet time and place. The AKC suggests a spot with good lighting and no distractions, just you and your dog (AKC). VCA suggests holding a small dog in your lap facing away from you, or sitting on a chair with a larger dog beside you (VCA Animal Hospitals).
2. Reward your dog for staying still. Before any dental gear comes out, reward your dog for holding steady for a few seconds, and build up the time each day. VCA’s behavior article aims for up to two minutes, enough for a full brushing later (VCA Animal Hospitals).
3. Touch the mouth. Lift the upper lip and touch the teeth, then pull the lower lip down and touch the lower teeth, praising and rewarding as you go (AKC). VCA suggests rubbing a finger or soft cloth along the outer surfaces of a few teeth with a back-and-forth motion, focusing on where the gum meets the tooth, and staying on the outside surfaces so you are not accidentally bitten (VCA Animal Hospitals).
4. Introduce the toothpaste. Let your dog lick a little pet toothpaste from your finger. Once it accepts the taste, put some on the cloth or finger brush and rub it over the teeth (VCA Animal Hospitals).
5. Introduce the brush. VCA’s behavior article suggests letting your dog lick a treat from the brush first, then sliding the brush onto the front teeth for a moment and taking it out, without prying the mouth open (VCA Animal Hospitals).
6. Brush for a second or two, then reward. Keep sessions short and slowly increase brushing time compared with treat time. A first session might last only 30 seconds (VCA Animal Hospitals).

The AKC says to praise often and give a treat at each step at first; the goal early on is teaching the skill, and you can phase the food out later (AKC). VCA notes the whole process takes a few minutes for some pets and a few months for others (VCA Animal Hospitals).

How to brush a dog’s teeth

1. Put a small amount of toothpaste on the brush. Gently lift the lips on one side, either by pushing the lip up with a finger of your free hand or by placing your free hand over your dog’s head with your thumb and index finger on either side of the upper jaw (VCA Animal Hospitals).
2. To reach the lower teeth, open the mouth a little by gently tilting the head back while holding the upper jaw (VCA Animal Hospitals).
3. Start with the large cheek teeth and the canines, where VCA says plaque and tartar build up fastest, and work up to all the teeth over several days or weeks (VCA Animal Hospitals).
4. Focus on the outer surfaces. VCA says most periodontal damage happens on the outside of the teeth, and the tongue removes much of the plaque from the inner surfaces (VCA Animal Hospitals). If your dog is very relaxed, the AKC says you can add the insides of the teeth later (AKC).
5. Aim for about 30 seconds per side (VCA Animal Hospitals).

Afterwards, rinse the brush well. VCA recommends replacing it every three months and using a separate brush for each dog (VCA Animal Hospitals).

How often should you brush?

VCA says dogs, like people, ideally need their teeth brushed daily, and that three times a week is the minimum to help remove plaque and prevent tartar (VCA Animal Hospitals). Because plaque starts to harden within a day or two, daily brushing is the target. If that is not realistic, brushing a few times a week is far better than none.

Signs your dog wants you to slow down

Never force your dog’s mouth open. VCA’s behavior article warns that it makes pets resist and possibly fear brushing, and lists signs that your dog is asking you to slow down, including (VCA Animal Hospitals):

• moving the head away, leaning or looking away, or trying to leave
• holding the lips tight, or ears folded to the side or back
• a tightly tucked tail, trembling, or freezing in place
• backing off at the sight of the toothbrush
• whining, growling or barking, snarling, or snapping

If you see these, end on an easy step and try again later. If you are not making progress after a few weeks, VCA suggests getting help from a behavior consultant or trainer skilled in teaching toothbrushing (VCA Animal Hospitals). The AKC says that if your dog has shown aggression when you handle its mouth, or is extremely fearful, you should ask a vet or behaviorist first (AKC).

When brushing is not enough

When teeth are already covered in brown or yellow tartar and the gums are bleeding or inflamed, the AKC says your dog needs a professional cleaning, then brushing should start again right afterwards (AKC). The AKC says most dogs need an oral exam and cleaning at least once a year, and some breeds more prone to periodontal disease, such as Bulldogs, Yorkshire Terriers and Dachshunds, may need one every six months. Vets do this cleaning under general anesthesia, and it reaches below the gum line where a toothbrush cannot (AKC).

Brushing also lets you keep an eye on your dog’s mouth. VCA says that if the gums bleed more than usual during brushing, or you notice an unpleasant odor, tell your vet (VCA Animal Hospitals). Ask your vet before starting a new dental product if your dog has a health condition or takes medication.

Other dental care options

The AKC describes dental chews, dental sprays, dental powders and chew toys as other ways to support your dog’s oral health alongside brushing and vet cleanings, and it says to always supervise your dog with a dental chew (AKC). These are add-ons, not replacements for brushing. If your dog is a heavy chewer, see our picks for the best dog toys for aggressive chewers.

FAQ

Can I use human toothpaste on my dog?

No. Dogs swallow toothpaste, and VCA and the AKC both warn that human toothpaste can contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs, including xylitol (VCA Animal Hospitals; AKC). Use toothpaste made for pets.

Is a finger brush or a regular toothbrush better?

It depends on your dog’s size and your own comfort. VCA says many owners find a finger brush easier at the start (VCA Animal Hospitals). A kit with both, like the Virbac C.E.T. kit, lets you switch once your dog is used to brushing.

Do I need to brush the inside of my dog’s teeth?

Usually not at first. VCA says most damage happens on the outer surfaces and the tongue clears much of the inner surfaces (VCA Animal Hospitals). Your vet can tell you if your dog is an exception.

My dog already has tartar. Will brushing remove it?

No. Hardened tartar has to be removed by a vet (VCA Animal Hospitals). Book a dental check, then brush to slow it coming back.

For more on choosing brushes, pastes and other grooming tools for dogs and cats, see our dog and cat grooming buying guide.