How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth at Home

The short answer: to brush your dog's teeth at home, use a soft dog toothbrush or finger brush and a toothpaste made for dogs, never human toothpaste. Get your dog used to having their lips lifted first, then brush the outside of the teeth along the gum line in small circles, a few teeth at a time, for about 30 seconds a side. Short, calm sessions on most days work better than one long struggle once a week.

Brushing is the simplest thing you can do at home to keep plaque off your dog's teeth between vet checkups. Most dogs don't love it on day one, but nearly all of them can learn to accept it if you build up slowly. Here is what you need, how to introduce it, the brushing technique itself, and what to do if your dog won't cooperate.

What you need

• Dog toothpaste. Use a paste made for dogs. Human toothpaste is not meant to be swallowed, and some brands contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs. Dog pastes come in flavors like poultry or peanut butter, which helps a lot.
• A soft brush. A small, soft-bristled dog toothbrush, or a finger toothbrush that slips over your fingertip. Finger brushes are easier for beginners and small dogs because you can feel exactly where you are. The finger toothbrush in our Starter Grooming Kit has soft silicone bristles for this, but any soft dog brush will do.
• Small treats or a favorite toy for the end of each session.
• A calm, well-lit spot where your dog is relaxed, such as the sofa or the floor beside you.

Step 1: Get your dog used to mouth handling (3 to 7 days)

Skip this step and brushing turns into a wrestling match. Spend a minute or two a day on it:

1. Gently touch your dog's muzzle and lips while they relax. Treat.
2. Lift the upper lip on one side for a second or two, then let go. Treat.
3. Let your dog lick a little dog toothpaste off your finger, so the taste becomes a reward.
4. Rub a fingertip with a dab of paste along the outside of the front teeth and gums. Treat.

Move on only when your dog stays relaxed. If they pull away, go back a step and keep sessions shorter.

Step 2: Brush, a few teeth at a time

1. Load the brush. A pea-sized amount of dog toothpaste is enough. Press it into the bristles so it doesn't fall straight off.
2. Lift the lip and start at the front. The front teeth are the easiest to reach and the least awkward for your dog.
3. Angle the bristles toward the gum line. Hold the brush at roughly 45 degrees, where the tooth meets the gum. That line is where plaque builds up.
4. Use small circles. Brush gently in small circles or short back-and-forth strokes. You don't need pressure; the paste and bristles do the work.
5. Work back to the big cheek teeth. Slide the brush along the outside of the teeth toward the back. The large upper back teeth often collect the most plaque, so give them a few extra strokes.
6. Do the outsides only. Most dogs won't let you brush the inner surfaces, and that's fine. Their tongue helps keep the inner side cleaner.
7. Stop while it's going well. About 30 seconds per side is plenty. End with praise and a treat, even if you only managed one side.

How often should you brush your dog's teeth?

Daily is the ideal most vet guides give, because plaque builds up every day and is easiest to remove while it's still soft. If daily isn't realistic, a few times a week still helps far more than an occasional brush. Pick a fixed moment, such as after the evening walk, so it becomes part of the routine rather than a chore you remember once a month.

Tooth brushing fits easily alongside the other weekly basics: brushing the coat, checking the paws and keeping nails short. Our simple at-home grooming routine shows how it all fits together, and the dog grooming collection has the everyday tools in one place.

If your dog won't let you brush

• Slow down. Go back to lip lifts and paste tasting for a few more days.
• Switch tools. A finger brush feels less strange to many dogs than a brush with a handle. Some start with a piece of soft gauze wrapped around a finger.
• Change the timing. Try after exercise, when your dog is tired and calm.
• Keep it short. Five seconds of calm brushing beats a minute of struggling.
• Never force it. Holding a dog down makes the next session harder. If your dog snaps or seems to be in pain, stop and ask your vet.

When to see your vet

Brushing helps prevent plaque, but it doesn't fix existing dental problems. Ask your vet to take a look if you notice very bad breath, red, swollen or bleeding gums, brown buildup that won't brush off, a loose or broken tooth, or your dog chewing on one side or dropping food. Your vet can also tell you whether your dog needs a professional dental cleaning.

FAQ

Can I use human toothpaste on my dog?
No. Human toothpaste isn't meant to be swallowed, and some contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs. Always use a toothpaste made for dogs.

How long should brushing take?
Once your dog is used to it, about a minute in total: roughly 30 seconds per side, focusing on the outer surfaces and the gum line.

Is it too late to start brushing an older dog's teeth?
No. Older dogs can learn too; just build up more slowly. If their mouth looks sore or the teeth have heavy buildup, have your vet check them before you start.

Do I need to brush the inside of the teeth?
Not usually. Most plaque builds up on the outer surfaces, and most dogs won't allow brushing on the inside. Focus on the outsides and the gum line.

Is a finger toothbrush or a regular dog toothbrush better?
Both work. A finger brush gives beginners more control and suits small dogs; a long-handled brush reaches the back teeth of large dogs more easily.