How to brush a dog's teeth
Brushing a dog's teeth properly means using toothpaste made for dogs, a soft brush or finger brush, and building up gradually rather than expecting a full clean on day one. Focusing mainly on the outer surfaces of the teeth, where most plaque builds up, and aiming for a few times a week at minimum makes a real difference to dental health over time.
What you actually need
Never use human toothpaste on a dog — it is not designed to be swallowed the way a dog will inevitably swallow whatever goes in their mouth, and some contain ingredients like xylitol or fluoride at levels that are unsafe for dogs. Toothpaste made specifically for dogs is formulated to be safe if swallowed and comes in flavours dogs generally tolerate, like chicken or malt.
A soft-bristled dog toothbrush, a finger brush that fits over your fingertip, or even a clean piece of gauze wrapped around your finger can all work, and which you choose often comes down to what your particular dog will tolerate best. Starting with a finger brush is often easier for a dog who is new to the whole process.
Building up gradually
Start by simply getting your dog used to having their mouth and gums touched, with no brush involved at all, rewarding calmly throughout so the handling itself becomes normal. Once that is comfortable, introduce the toothpaste alone, letting your dog taste it from your finger before it is ever near a brush.
Only once both of those steps are genuinely comfortable should you introduce the brush itself, starting with just a few teeth for a few seconds and building up gradually over days or weeks rather than attempting a full mouth on the first try. Rushing this stage is the single most common reason dogs come to dislike the whole process.
The technique that actually works
Focus mainly on the outer surfaces of the teeth, where the brush can reach easily and where the majority of plaque and tartar build up — a dog's tongue does some natural cleaning of the inner surfaces that a brush struggles to reach anyway. Small circular motions along the gumline, similar to brushing your own teeth, are more effective than a quick back-and-forth scrub.
Aim for at least a few times a week, ideally daily, since plaque builds up quickly and infrequent brushing does much less to prevent it than a regular, even if brief, routine. A short session done consistently beats an occasional long one that your dog dreads.
What else helps, and what to watch for
Dental chews and specific dental diets can support the effort of brushing but are not a substitute for it, since chewing alone does not reach every surface the way brushing can. Think of them as a helpful addition on days brushing does not happen rather than a replacement for the routine itself.
Bad breath beyond the usual, red or bleeding gums, reluctance to eat or chew, or visibly loose teeth are all worth mentioning to your vet, since they can point to dental disease that needs proper treatment rather than more brushing at home.
What we use
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
NanoSanitas Advanced No-Brush Dental Gel for Dogs & Cats
A brush-free dental gel for dogs and cats, formulated with silver nanoparticles and papaya extract to help reduce plaque and freshen breath.
£14.99
Beaphar No-Brush Toothgel with Enzymes for Cats & Dogs
Beaphar no-brush tooth gel for cats and dogs, with liver flavour and an enzyme formula in a 100g tube
£7.34
Beaphar Toothpaste
Beaphar liver-flavour toothpaste for cats and dogs, a 100g enzyme formula free from fluoride and xylitol
£6.20
Pedigree Dentastix Chewy Chunx Mini Dog Treat Chicken Flavour
Mini chicken-flavour Pedigree DentaStix Chewy Chunx for measured treating
£2.15
Common questions
- Can I use human toothpaste on my dog?
- No, this should be avoided entirely. Human toothpaste is not designed to be swallowed, and some contain xylitol or fluoride at levels that are unsafe for dogs. Always use a toothpaste made specifically for dogs, which is formulated to be safe if swallowed.
- How often should I brush my dog's teeth?
- Daily is ideal, but at least a few times a week makes a meaningful difference compared with not brushing at all. Plaque builds up quickly, so a short, consistent routine does far more for dental health than an occasional longer session.
- My dog won't let me brush their teeth — what should I do?
- Go back a step and focus on getting them comfortable with having their mouth handled, then with the taste of the toothpaste alone, before reintroducing the brush very gradually. Rushing this process is the most common reason dogs resist it, so slowing down usually helps more than persisting through the resistance.
- Do dental chews work as well as brushing?
- They can help support dental health but are not a full substitute for brushing, since chewing does not reach every tooth surface the way a brush does. They are a useful addition, particularly on days when brushing does not happen, rather than a replacement for a regular brushing routine.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.