Have you ever considered brushing your dog’s teeth but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you’ve seen doggy toothbrushes and toothpastes for sale, maybe your Vet or Nurse has mentioned toothbrushing. You might have wondered if it’s really necessary or if people really do actually brush their dogs teeth?
A Canadian IPSOS survey from 2016 revealed that less than 10% of owners brush their dogs’ teeth on a regular basis. However, over 80% of dogs above 3 years old are reported to have dental disease; with a recent RVC study finding that dental disease is the most common health problem in dogs. In the early stages there may not be noticeable symptoms of dental disease but as it progresses this becomes painful. Pets can be very good at hiding dental related pain only showing subtle symptoms.
Table of contents
- Brushing puppy teeth – at what age should you start brushing your dog’s teeth?
- Brushing your dog’s teeth after a dental procedure
- What equipment is needed for brushing dogs’ teeth?
- How to brush dog teeth: Step-by-step
- I’ve never brushed my dog’s teeth! How should I start?
- How often should you brush dogs’ teeth?
- What about dental chews and other products?
- A final note on home dental care for your dog
- Related Articles:
Home dental care for your dog is beneficial and it will make a difference, toothbrushing is the best way to prevent periodontitis. You are also likely to notice any dental problems sooner, keeping your dog healthier and more comfortable.
Brushing puppy teeth – at what age should you start brushing your dog’s teeth?
The ideal time to start the toothbrushing process is during puppyhood or with a young adult dog, having healthy teeth and gums. Where puppies are concerned the aim is acceptance of being handled around the face and mouth, when all the adult teeth have erupted (usually by around 7 months) you can introduce a brush using the steps below.
It’s not too late for older dogs, toothbrushing is a trick our aged companions can learn! Before you begin you must be sure that there is no underlying dental disease. If your pet already has a sore mouth toothbrushing will not be well tolerated! This dental scoring tool can help you assess your dog’s oral health. If you have any concerns then book a dental check at your Veterinary Practice. The aim of toothbrushing is to remove the soft covering of plaque, bacteria and biofilms on the teeth. When plaque hardens to tartar/calculus, toothbrushing will not remove this and a professional scale and polish at your Veterinary Practice will be required.
Brushing your dog’s teeth after a dental procedure
If your pet has recently undergone a dental procedure, regular home dental care will help prevent further dental disease. However, you should wait until they have recovered well and any extraction sites have healed to ensure they aren’t in any post-operative discomfort. You can ask about home dental care at the post-op check and receive tailored advice from your Vet or Nurse.
What equipment is needed for brushing dogs’ teeth?
Toothbrush
There are specific dog toothbrushes available to buy, sometimes these have an angled head which you might find easier. Otherwise, a children’s toothbrush can be used, these have a smaller head and softer bristles than an adults toothbrush. A finger toothbrush can also be useful in the beginning.
Toothpaste
A pet specific toothpaste must be used; dogs do not spit toothpaste out and will inevitably swallow some or all of it. Human toothpastes may contain fluoride, xylitol or sodium lauryl sulphate which can be harmful to dogs. Some pet toothpastes also contain enzymes to help break down the plaque and have a dog friendly flavour making the process easier.
Treats
Don’t forget some treats, it doesn’t matter if your dog has a treat straight after toothbrushing and they are more likely to co-operate when rewarded.
How to brush dog teeth: Step-by-step
Choose a time when you aren’t rushed and your dog is in a relaxed mood. If your dog is excited in anticipation of their evening walk, they aren’t likely to be in the mood to have their teeth brushed! Introduce the whole process slowly, expect it to take a couple of weeks or more for your dog to become accustomed to toothbrushing. Your pet should be in a comfortable position on a non-slip surface.
If at any stage they seem anxious, try to get away, show signs of discomfort, distress, or aggression – STOP. You can try going back a step or book an appointment with your vet to make sure there aren’t any underlying dental problems.
I’ve never brushed my dog’s teeth! How should I start?
1 – Confidence
- If you aren’t in the habit of touching your pet around their face, nose and mouth work on building confidence, don’t rush this stage. If your dog already lets you look at their teeth you can progress past this step quite quickly.
- Start by gently stroking your pet around the face and nose. Offer plenty of reassurance and praise and always reward your dog after each session with whatever they enjoy most; a treat, playing a game and/or lots of fuss!
- You can then move forwards by encouraging your dog to rest their chin on your thumb and allowing you to put your fingers over the top of their nose as this will help support their muzzle when toothbrushing later on.
- Progress to being able to lift their top lip at the side to expose the canine teeth and molars. Continue praising and rewarding your pet for allowing this.
- Initially begin with a few seconds and gradually increase the time, don’t move past this step until your dog is comfortable being handled in this way.
2 – Introducing a finger to your dog’s mouth
- Your dog may be averse to the sensation of a bristly toothbrush straight away so to begin with use your index finger or a silicone finger toothbrush.
- Supporting their nose with one hand as in Step 1, using your other hand begin to touch the canine and molar teeth with your finger / finger toothbrush. If you feel apprehensive about putting your fingers in your dog’s mouth you can use a soft cloth initially.
- Continue on this step each day until you can touch the canine and molar teeth and slide your finger across the teeth on both the left and right side.
- You can introduce a dog specific toothpaste. Let your dog sniff and lick the paste to check that they like the flavour. If you aren’t sure whether your dog is resisting toothbrushing or just doesn’t like the toothpaste you could try something they love such as liver paste or the juices from cooking meat to encourage acceptance.
- At any point if your dog starts showing signs of stress – STOP and go back a step if needed. During each session keep offering lots of reassurance and reward your dog afterwards.
3 – Time for the dog toothbrush
- Once your dog is comfortable with Step 2, you can try gently introducing a toothbrush. Slide this under the lips and begin to brush gently going as far forward as the canine teeth moving all the way to the back molars.
- The sensation of the toothbrush may cause a backward step so to begin with just brush one or two teeth for a few seconds and increase the time until you can brush the teeth on both sides. If your dog really doesn’t a bristly toothbrush you can continue with a finger toothbrush
- Continue to praise and reward.
4 – Refining the dog toothbrushing technique
- The incisors (front teeth) are the most sensitive, once your dog is happy with their canines and molars being brushed you can try to brush the incisors
- Angling the brush towards the gums at 45 degrees will clean along the gumline. The outside surface of your dog’s teeth (nearest the cheeks and lips) is the most important area to concentrate on and where we tend to see most tartar build up. You don’t have to open their mouth and brush the inside surface (nearest the tongue) unless your dog is very tolerant.
- Remember to replace your dog’s toothbrush when it looks worn.
The PDSA have a useful how to video HERE
How often should you brush dogs’ teeth?
Plaque can harden and turn to tarter within hours so in an ideal world you should brush your dog’s teeth every day. If your busy schedule means you can’t manage this then try to get into the habit of toothbrushing every other day. This will have a better result than brushing just once a week.
What about dental chews and other products?
The mechanical action of a toothbrush is the best way to remove plaque from teeth AND to enhance gum health. But if there is a reason you cannot brush your dog’s teeth there are products available you might like to consider. Products including dental chews and dental diets have gained the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) Seal of Acceptance. There are also VOHC accepted dental gels, teeth wipes, water additives, oral sprays and seaweed based products. VOHC accepted products have undergone clinical trials following specific protocols. The data is reviewed and if a beneficial reduction in plaque or tartar is demonstrated the Seal is granted.
A final note on home dental care for your dog
Although brushing your dog’s teeth daily is the best way to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis, this does not mean that your dog will never require dental work with your Vet. We humans brush and floss our teeth every day but many of us still need to visit the hygienist occasionally for a scale and polish as well as other dental procedures.
Home dental care will make a difference and help reduce dental disease. Regular attention to your dogs teeth at home as well as dental checks at your Veterinary Practice mean that problems will be noticed sooner so although your dog may require dental work during their lifetime they are less likely to suffer severe dental disease requiring advanced dental procedures.
Related Articles:
- 10 reasons to get pet insurance that covers Dental work
- Are Dental diets for dogs worth it?
- The problem with anaesthetic free dentals
- How to choose the best pet toothpaste
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