Kroki

Question · Dog

How do I brush my dog’s teeth?

The short answer

If your dog’s teeth have never been brushed, start with a vet check: sore gums make brushing hurt. Then lift the lip for a second and reward, offer dog toothpaste as a treat, and slide a finger along the outer side of the back teeth. Move to a brush once that is easy and do a few teeth a day, building towards daily brushing. Never use human toothpaste. Kroki, a reward-based training app for puppies and dogs, doesn’t teach tooth brushing, but its handling games build calm touch.

How to do it, step by step

  1. Book a mouth check first

    Tartar that is already there cannot be brushed away, and red or sore gums make every touch hurt. Let your vet look at the mouth and clean it if needed. Then you start brushing on a fresh, comfortable set of teeth.

  2. Choose kit that fits your dog

    Use toothpaste made for dogs. A finger brush suits small mouths and nervous dogs; a long-handled brush helps with big dogs and keeps your fingers away from the back teeth. A double-headed brush covers more surface in each stroke.

  3. Start where it is easy

    Stroke the cheek, then lift the lip at the front for a second and give a treat. Watch your dog: turning the head away or licking the lips means slow down. Rescue dogs and dogs with bad mouth memories may need many days at this stage.

  4. Paste as a reward, finger on the back teeth

    Let your dog lick dog toothpaste from your finger. Then slide your finger along the outside of the big back teeth, where plaque builds up most. Keep the mouth closed and the session short.

  5. Brush one side per round

    Hold the brush at a slight angle to the gum line and make small circles on the outer surfaces. Do one side today and the other side tomorrow, then build up until both sides fit into one short daily session.

  6. Tie it to something your dog loves

    Brush right before a meal or the evening walk, so the good thing follows. A predictable routine at the same time each day helps many grown dogs relax into it.

Starting with a puppy?

A puppy usually comes without tartar and bad memories, which makes starting easier. While the milk teeth are falling out, between about three and a half and seven months, the gums can be sore, so a finger is often kinder than a brush. Our puppy page explains brushing during teething.

Why dental care matters for grown dogs

Gum disease is one of the commonest problems vets see. In a UK study of 22,333 dogs under primary veterinary care, 12.5% were recorded with periodontal disease within one year. Some breeds had much higher odds than crossbreeds, such as the Toy Poodle, King Charles Spaniel, Greyhound and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and the odds fell as adult body weight rose (O’Neill and colleagues 2021). Small dogs and some breeds therefore deserve particular attention.

Brushing frequency makes a difference. In a 28-day study with beagles on the same dry food, daily or every-other-day brushing reduced plaque, tartar and existing gum inflammation more than brushing once a week or every other week, and the authors recommend daily brushing (Harvey and colleagues 2015). If your dog is new to it, a daily minute on a few teeth is a better start than a full clean once a week.

Only use toothpaste made for dogs. The US Food and Drug Administration lists toothpaste among products that may contain xylitol, a sweetener that can drop a dog’s blood sugar sharply within 10 to 60 minutes, and says pets should only get pet toothpaste, never human toothpaste (FDA). Some serious effects may only show 12 to 24 hours later, so a vet visit is needed even if your dog seems fine.

When your dog refuses

  • It clamps its mouth shut: you do not need it open. Lift the lip and work on the outer surfaces only.
  • It pulls its head away: go back to touching the cheek and shorten each round to a few seconds.
  • It hates the brush: use your finger or a soft cloth wrapped round it for a while.
  • It suddenly refuses after accepting it: something may hurt. Book a vet check before you carry on.

Common mistakes

  • Brushing over sore, inflamed gums without a vet check first.
  • Holding the dog down to finish the whole mouth in one go.
  • Using human toothpaste, baking soda or anything with xylitol.
  • Relying on dental chews alone and never looking inside the mouth.

When to see a professional

A dog’s mouth can hide pain well. Get help if:

  • you notice bad breath, red or bleeding gums, brown tartar, a broken or loose tooth, facial swelling, drooling, or your dog drops food or chews on one side

    Have a vet take a look

  • your dog has eaten human toothpaste or anything with xylitol: call your vet or an emergency clinic at once

    Emergency: get help now

  • your dog growls, snaps or bites when you touch its mouth, even after slowing right down

    Get support from professionals

The help pages list services in Germany, Austria and Switzerland only. Elsewhere, ask your vet practice who they recommend near you.

Frequently asked questions

Is it too late to start brushing an older dog’s teeth?

It is never too late, but start with a vet check. An older dog often has tartar or sore teeth that need treatment first, and then gentle brushing helps keep the mouth healthy.

Can brushing remove tartar that is already there?

No, hard tartar has to be removed by your vet. Brushing removes the soft plaque each day and slows new tartar from building up.

Can I brush my dog’s teeth without toothpaste?

Yes, the brushing itself removes plaque, so a damp brush still helps. Dog toothpaste mostly makes it more pleasant; never swap it for human toothpaste.

My dog’s gums bleed when I brush. Should I stop?

Pause and ask your vet to check the gums. Bleeding often means inflammation, and brushing over it can hurt and make your dog dislike the routine.

Are dental chews enough on their own for a grown dog?

Usually not. Chews can help, but they do not reach every surface, so brushing remains the most reliable home care.

Should I brush my dog’s teeth every day?

Daily brushing works best, according to a study comparing different schedules. If that is not possible, brushing every other day still helps clearly more than once a week.

My dog bites the brush. How do I stop that?

Biting often means the brush comes too fast or feels odd. Go back to your finger, keep rounds very short and reward your dog for keeping its mouth soft.

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