Dental care

How to Clean a Dog's Teeth: A Step-by-Step Guide

Brushing is the best way to prevent dental disease. Here's how to clean your dog's teeth step by step, even if they're not keen at first.

By Matt, founder22 June 2026Lived-experience guidance, not medical advice

Hi, I'm Matt, founder of Giddy Pets. Brushing your dog's teeth sounds fiddly, but it's genuinely the single most effective thing you can do to prevent dental disease — and once you've built the habit, it takes a minute. This guide walks you through it step by step, including how to win over a dog who isn't keen at first.

This is general guidance, not a substitute for veterinary advice — if you're worried about your dog's teeth or gums, contact your vet.

Why it matters

Plaque forms on teeth every day. Within a couple of days it hardens into tartar, which you can't brush off and which inflames the gums. Over time this leads to gum disease, pain, and tooth loss. Most dogs have some gum disease by the age of three. Brushing physically removes plaque before it hardens, which is why nothing else — not chews, not water additives — matches it. If you only adopt one dental habit, make it this one.

There's a knock-on benefit too. Good home brushing reduces how much tartar builds up between vet visits, which can mean less frequent (or less involved) professional cleans down the line, and a lower chance of needing teeth removed when your dog is older. A minute a day genuinely pays off over a lifetime.

What you'll need

A pet toothpaste (often poultry or malt flavoured). Never use human toothpaste — fluoride and other ingredients are toxic to dogs.
A dog toothbrush, a soft child's brush, or a finger brush that slips over your fingertip.
A bit of patience and some treats.

You'll find pet toothpaste and soft brushes in our shop.

How to do it, step by step

1. Pick a calm moment. After a walk, when your dog is relaxed, works well. Sit somewhere comfortable rather than looming over them. 2. Let them taste the toothpaste. Put a little on your finger and let them lick it off. Most are designed to taste good, so this builds positive associations. 3. Touch the teeth and gums with your finger. Over a few sessions, gently lift the lip and rub a finger along the outer surfaces of the teeth so they get used to the sensation. 4. Introduce the brush. Add toothpaste to the brush and let them lick it, then start brushing a few front teeth. 5. Brush the outer surfaces. Hold the brush at a slight angle to the gumline and use small circular motions. The outsides of the teeth, especially the big cheek teeth at the back, collect the most plaque. You don't need to do the insides — the tongue helps keep those cleaner. 6. Build up gradually. Aim to work around the whole mouth over a couple of weeks. Keep sessions short and upbeat, and finish with praise or a treat. 7. Repeat daily. Daily is the goal; even a few times a week helps a lot.

Go at your dog's pace. If they get anxious, stop and try again later — forcing it sets you back. A good rule of thumb: each session should end while your dog is still relaxed and happy, not when they've had enough. Tiny wins, repeated daily, beat one long battle.

Signs of trouble to watch for

While brushing, you're well placed to spot early warning signs: bad breath, red or bleeding gums, brown or yellow tartar build-up, broken or loose teeth, or your dog flinching when you touch a particular spot. Reluctance to let you near the mouth, or chewing on one side only, can signal pain.

Making it easier

Start young if you can — puppies adapt quickly, and brushing simply becomes part of normal life. For older dogs new to it, take it slowly over weeks rather than days, and don't worry if you can only manage a few teeth at first; you can build up. Keeping the toothpaste somewhere handy and tying brushing to an existing routine, like the after-walk wind-down, makes it far easier to remember.

Pair brushing with vet-recommended dental chews for an extra hand, and keep up your wider routine with dog grooming. If you've a teething puppy, the puppy teething timeline explains what to expect first, including why they chew everything and how to soothe sore gums.

When to see a vet

See your vet if you notice persistent bad breath, bleeding or very red gums, heavy brown tartar, loose or discoloured teeth, or signs of mouth pain such as dropping food, drooling or pawing at the face. These suggest dental disease that brushing alone won't fix — a professional scale and polish under anaesthetic may be needed. Your vet can also demonstrate the best technique for your dog. To learn the early stages, see gingivitis in dogs.

Not registered with a practice? Our vets directory can help. Worried about cost? The pet emergency cost calculator and pet insurance guide help you plan ahead.

Sources

Common questions

Can I use human toothpaste on my dog?

No. Human toothpaste contains fluoride and sometimes xylitol, both of which are toxic to dogs. Always use a toothpaste made specifically for pets.

How often should I brush my dog's teeth?

Daily is ideal because plaque hardens into tartar within a couple of days. A few times a week is still far better than nothing.

My dog hates having his teeth brushed — what can I do?

Slow right down. Spend several sessions just letting him taste the toothpaste and touching his teeth with a finger before introducing the brush. Keep sessions short, positive and treat-rewarded, and build up over weeks.

Do I need to brush the inside of the teeth?

Not really. The outer surfaces collect the most plaque and the tongue helps keep the inner surfaces cleaner, so focusing on the outsides is fine and much easier.

About the author

Matt — founder, Giddy Pets

Matt started Giddy Pets to make getting pets the good stuff simpler and fairer. Everything in these guides comes from real life with pets and a lot of trial and error — it's practical guidance, not veterinary advice. If a guide gets something wrong, tell him directly.