Rated 4.7 Excellent 21,000+ Reviews.io
Caring for your dog's teeth is as important as caring for their coat, but the process can be daunting if you've never brushed a dog's teeth.
By keeping your dog's teeth clean, no matter their age, you'll be sparing it many teeth and gum-related problems further down the line, and in some cases, protecting it from harmful bacteria that could lead to serious infections below the surface.
In this blog, we show you how to clean and care for your dog's teeth, from how to get started and the process to how often you should clean them to keep them at their best.
Table of contents:
How to get my dog's teeth clean
How to clean my dog's teeth without brushing
How to get my dog's teeth clean
The best way to clean your dog's teeth is to establish a good brushing routine at an early age. Once established, you should aim to brush your dog's teeth daily or at least two to three times a week for best results.
Before you start brushing your dog's teeth, seek advice from your vet on how to do so, as different breeds have varying jaw alignments and spacing between their teeth. Your vet can help you establish a cleaning routine specifically for your dog.
Why should I clean my dog's teeth?
Teeth cleaning is just as important for dogs as it is for humans, and practising regular dental care for your dog can help them lead happy and healthy lives.
Brushing your dog's teeth is also the best way to control its bad breath and keep its teeth strong, reducing the need for expensive dental work further down the line.
These are the main benefits of cleaning your dog's teeth:
- Your dog's mouth collects bacteria, which could lead to decay and periodontal disease (the deterioration of the bone that holds the tooth in place). Brushing helps remove this bacteria more than any other at-home dental procedure.
- It removes the bacteria that hide in your dog's mouth below the gumline, on the teeth and the tongue, preventing bacteria from harming your dog below the surface of the gumline.
- It prevents the risk of gum disease. The symptoms of gum disease are bleeding gums, a foul smell coming from the infected area, a painful or sensitive root, discoloured teeth, teeth falling out, a refusal to eat food or blood appearing in their food. If your dog has any of the above symptoms, contact your vet.
How to clean my dog's teeth
If you establish a teeth cleaning routine for your dog from an early age and brush its teeth regularly, cleaning your dog's teeth can be a really simple process. Here are the steps we recommend:
- Choose the correct time and place to clean their teeth
If teeth cleaning is a new process for your dog, it will take time to get used to it. Introduce the process gradually, allowing time for your dog to get used to the process and tools.
Choose a place free from distractions and a time when your dog is as calm and relaxed as possible. If your dog is stressed, anxious or distracted, delay brushing its teeth until it is more relaxed.
- Make sure you have the correct tools
Dog toothbrushes come in various sizes, with angled bristles and numerous heads to get into those hard-to-reach places. Finding the perfect brush for your dog can be trial and error, so have patience.
A finger brush is a great place to start for beginners or smaller dogs; it's also less intimidating, so it's easier for your dog to adapt to in the early stages of their routine.
Make sure you opt for a dog-friendly toothpaste, as human toothpastes contain chemicals such as xylitol and fluoride, which are toxic and incredibly harmful to dogs.
Most dog-friendly toothpaste is meat-flavoured and delicious for your dog, so start by allowing it to taste the toothpaste and reward it for its good behaviour.
- Handle your dog's mouth first
Before you introduce a toothbrush, start by handling your dog's mouth. By lifting your dog's lips, holding its upper jaw in place and touching its teeth and gums, it'll get used to the sensation of brushing. If your dog resists, reward it for its good behaviour and take a break before trying to handle its mouth again.
- Introduce the brush
When your dog becomes more accepting of you putting your hands in its mouth, it's time to introduce the toothbrush. Start by allowing it to investigate the brush so it knows it's not a threat, then allow it to lick toothpaste from the bristles so it can get used to the feel of the brush.
Start by using the brush to clean your dog's front teeth and gums in small, circular motions. It may take several days or weeks for your dog to get used to this, but you can move further back into its mouth once it has. Again, if your dog resists at any point, reward it and then leave the teeth brushing for another time so it doesn't think of the process as negative and unsettling.
The more accepting your dog becomes of its new dental routine, the more time you can spend brushing its teeth, slowly building up to a full brushing routine and inspection at least a couple of times a week.
- Try new positions for brushing
You should be able to clean most of your dog's teeth with it in a sitting position, but for those hard-to-reach places, encourage your dog to lie down and try brushing its teeth from different angles. However, you should only attempt this when your dog is used to having its teeth cleaned.
- Practise makes perfect
It may take time, patience and many weeks before your dog is comfortable for you to clean all of its teeth. Don't rush the process; spend time in the early stages getting your dog used to this new routine so it doesn't feel fearful.
Give your dog a break if either of you feels frustrated or overwhelmed. Ensure to treat your dog after every session to create a positive association with the brushing experience.
How to clean my dog's teeth without brushing
Establishing a regular brushing routine is the best way to keep your dog's teeth clean. However, if your dog persistently resists, chews, dental sprays and professional cleaning methods are available to keep your dog's teeth healthy. Here are some of the best methods and why they are so successful:
- Dental chews
A daily dental chew can be a great way to keep your dog's teeth clean whilst also helping to stimulate its natural cravings. Dental chews help reduce plaque buildup whilst stimulating the blood flow to the gums.
Available in different shapes and sizes, they help dogs chew more evenly and get back to the hard-to-reach places where it's difficult for a toothbrush to reach.
Be sure to supervise your dog whilst they chew to prevent them from choking.
- Dental sprays
A dental spray is a great option if you struggle to clean your dog's teeth or don't have time. A dental spray can also be used between brushes to kill plaque-causing bacteria and to freshen your dog's breath.
Dental sprays are relatively simple to use; you only need to spray your dog's teeth and gums. If your dog resists, spray its favourite toy and allow it to lick it off for similar results.
Use a dental spray an hour before or after your dog has eaten for best results.
- Chew toys
A natural way for dogs to keep their teeth clean is by chewing. Good, strong chew toys help clean your dog's teeth and keep it happy, stimulating its brain and preventing it from destroying things in your home.
- Professional cleaning
Even if you regularly clean your dog's teeth at home, it will benefit from a professional dental cleaning occasionally. A vet can identify and treat any dental problems and perform X-rays to look more closely at tooth health, the jawline and the teeth's roots.
Most dogs will require professional teeth cleaning once a year, but as some breeds, such as Dachshunds and Yorkshire Terriers, are more prone to periodontal disease, they may require more frequent cleanings.
While your vet cleans, your dog will be put under general anaesthesia. The vet will remove any plaque from below the gum line, scale and polish the teeth and fill and extract any of your dog's teeth that are unhealthy.
Professional teeth cleaning may be the most expensive option, but it's a worthwhile investment to preserve the health of your dog's teeth and gums.
Explore the dental range at Groomers
To ensure your dog's teeth and gums stay healthy, you should aim to clean its teeth at least two to three times per week and inspect its mouth regularly to check for any unusual abnormalities or changes. Then, by offering it dental chews and toys, you're giving your dog the best chance of maintaining good oral health.
For all your dog's dental essentials, explore our dental care range at Groomers, including dog-friendly toothpaste, brushes, fresh breath granules, and descaling tools. Or, for more products to enhance your dog's health, explore our complete dog health and wellbeing range.
Related posts:
How To Create A Dog First Aid Kit
