Brushing your dog’s teeth at home, step by step

Most dogs we see for dental scaling have never had their teeth brushed. Daily brushing is the most useful thing you can do at home for your dog’s mouth, and most dogs accept it if you build up slowly. Here is the plan our nurses give owners.

In the first three days, just lift your dog’s lips for a few seconds at a time and give a treat. Then let your dog lick a little pet toothpaste off your finger; it comes in chicken or peanut flavours. Never use human toothpaste, which contains ingredients that are unsafe for dogs to swallow.

In the second week, rub your finger with toothpaste along the outer surface of the back teeth, where tartar builds up most. After a few days, switch to a soft finger brush or a small, soft toothbrush. Hold it at an angle to the gumline and use small circles. Thirty seconds on each side is enough. You do not need to brush the inner surfaces; the tongue cleans them reasonably well.

While you brush, look. Healthy gums are pink, not red along the edges. Notice any brown or yellow crust on the teeth, a bad smell that lingers, a broken tooth, or bleeding. Small breeds such as Shih Tzus and Pomeranians tend to build tartar quickly, so check them more often. If you see heavy tartar, loose teeth or a swelling, book a consultation before starting. Brushing can slow new build-up, but it cannot remove hardened tartar. Once your vet has cleaned the teeth, daily brushing helps keep them that way for longer.