The Ultimate Guide to Dog Teeth Cleaning

Discover how you can keep your dog’s teeth clean at home.

No matter how bad of a day you’re having, there is always one thing waiting at home to love you, cuddle you, and kiss you—your dog. Make sure those cuddles and kisses aren’t ruined by bad breath or oral disease by providing your beloved pup with the proper dental care.

As a dog owner, you know that you’re responsible for grooming, feeding, nurturing, and maintaining proper healthcare for your four-legged family member. Taking care of your dog’s teeth is extremely important.

Just like human dental care, dog dental care is about more than just keeping teeth white and breath fresh. The main reason for cleaning dog’s teeth is to prevent oral disease and periodontal disease. Oral disease can affect dogs in many ways. Dental problems can lead to liver, kidney, and even heart disease.

Dog teeth cleaning is really another way that you can take care of their whole body and overall health. You can prevent your dog from getting dental problems with regular dental cleanings and professional checkups. But there are also some things you should be doing at home to ensure your pup’s teeth stay clean. Learn about how to get started with this simple guide from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Dog Teeth Cleaning Essentials

There are a few things you should do to keep your dog’s teeth clean. One of the most important ones, though, is brushing your dog’s teeth daily. This will help remove plaque and tartar.

Brushing your dog’s teeth right requires you to be gentle, patient, and use the right tools. Your dog may not be comfortable with getting their teeth cleaned the first few times you try, but don’t give up. It’s for their own good, and you want to take care of them.

Below is everything you’ll need to brush your dog’s teeth, as well as some other important items for pet dental care.

• A Non-Fluoride Dog Toothpaste: Since fluoride is toxic to dogs, you want to make sure that the toothpaste you buy is fluoride-free. There are many different dog-friendly flavors of toothpaste available, such as peanut butter and chicken.
• A Pet Toothbrush: Dog toothbrushes are usually soft bristled to protect your dog’s gums. Be sure to pick one that isn’t too big for your dog’s teeth, or you could hurt their gums.
• Pet Dental or Gauze Sponges: Wrap these around your fingers. Then, hold your dog’s lips aside as you brush their teeth. This will keep you from getting nipped, and it will provide a soft cushion that will keep your dog’s lips and gums from getting sore. Dog teeth cleaning should be gentle and relaxed for your pup.
• Dog Dental Treats: This will likely be your dog’s favorite form of dental care! There are a variety of different types of dental treats available, which come in many flavors and sizes. These treats are specially made to help remove plaque, and the ingredients in them will help freshen your dog’s breath.
• Dog Dental Wipes: Dog tooth wipes are an alternative to brushing their teeth. You can use them to wipe down your dog’s teeth. While they do clean them, they aren’t quite as effective as a toothbrush, as they can’t get in-between each tooth.
• Dog Dental Rinse: You can add this liquid to your pet’s water bowl. It will help eliminate bad breath and promote healthy gums.

How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

The earlier you start your routine of dog teeth cleaning, the simpler it will be. Not only will it be easier to train the dog to behave while you brush. But you also will not have to brush as hard to remove the buildup that can occur if you wait too long in your dog’s life to start brushing their teeth.

Training Your Dog for Teeth Cleaning

1. To train your dog for teeth cleaning, begin by rubbing your fingers gently across their lips, gums, and teeth for a minute or so once every day. Do this for a few weeks before trying to brush their teeth for real. This will get them used to the feeling. If you have a toothbrush, incorporate it gradually.
2. Next, add some peanut butter to your fingers, and begin lifting your dog’s lips and rubbing their teeth. Do this for another week or so. Then, incorporate their dog toothbrush.

How to Start Brushing

1. Apply a small, pea-sized bead of toothpaste to your pet toothbrush.
2. Use your gauze-covered fingers to lift your dog’s lips and expose their teeth.
3. Take one section of teeth at a time, and brush them much like you brush your own. Gently scrub up and down, then side to side. Avoid brushing the gums.

NOTE: Never use a human toothbrush or human toothpaste on your dog’s teeth. The bristles on a human toothbrush are too harsh, and the fluoride and chemicals in human toothpaste can be toxic to dogs.

When to See a Professional

If your dog has poor dental hygiene, we recommend getting them a professional dental cleaning. Symptoms of poor dog dental hygiene include bad breath, excessive drooling, inflamed or bleeding gums, crying or whining while chewing, refusing to chew, loss of interest in their food, or the loss of teeth.

If your dog’s teeth have a lot of discolored, hardened buildup, you’ll need to have them cleaned professionally. Also, if you notice any cavities or decay, have them checked out by a professional.

Take your dog in for a dental exam and teeth cleaning every year or two. Once you get help for the more serious problems, you can maintain your dog’s oral health with regular brushing. Dental chews and chew toys should also be a part of your dog’s dental care routine.

Dog teeth cleaning will keep your pup healthy and you happy for years to come.

Shop Dog Dental Essentials

Dog Dental Care

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Dog Dental Rinse

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Dog Toothbrushes and Toothpastes

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Dog Chew Toys

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For more tips and how-tos like these, check out our Dogs Blog.