Brushing is the single best thing you can do at home for your dog's teeth and breath. Plaque starts building up again within hours of a cleaning, and if it stays on the teeth it hardens into tartar that a toothbrush can't remove. The good news: most dogs, even ones who fight it at first, learn to accept brushing in about two weeks if you go slowly. Here's exactly what to use, how to train your dog step by step, how often to brush, and what to do if your dog refuses.
Get your dog's personalized routine — take the free 1-min quizStart the Pawfile quiz →- How often: daily is ideal. At least 3 times a week still makes a real difference.
- What to use: a dog toothpaste and a soft dog toothbrush or finger brush. Never human toothpaste.
- How to start: taste the paste, then a finger on the teeth, then the brush, over 1 to 2 weeks.
- Where to focus: the outside of the back teeth and canines, where tartar builds fastest.
- See your vet for red, swollen or bleeding gums, loose or broken teeth, or pain when eating.
What you need to brush your dog's teeth
- Dog toothpaste. It comes in flavors dogs like, such as poultry or peanut butter, and it's safe to swallow. Enzymatic dog toothpastes are a common choice.
- A soft toothbrush made for dogs, sized to your dog's mouth, or a finger brush, a soft rubber sleeve that fits over your fingertip. Finger brushes are easier for small dogs and for getting started; a long-handled brush reaches the back teeth of bigger dogs better.
- A reward. A favorite treat or a few licks of something tasty right after brushing.
Looking for products? The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) keeps a list of dental products that have met its standards for reducing plaque or tartar.
Why you should never use human toothpaste
Dogs swallow toothpaste instead of spitting it out. Many human toothpastes contain fluoride, which isn't meant to be swallowed, and some contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Use only a toothpaste made for dogs.
How to brush your dog's teeth, step by step
Go at your dog's pace. Each step can take a few days. Keep every session to a minute or two, stay calm, and end with praise or a treat, even if you only managed one step.
- Days 1–2: taste the toothpaste. Let your dog lick a little dog toothpaste off your finger. You want them to think of it as a treat.
- Days 3–4: touch the mouth. Gently lift the lip and rub the paste on the outside of the front teeth and gums with your finger for a few seconds.
- Days 5–7: move to the back teeth. Slide your finger along the outside of the back teeth on both sides. This is where tartar builds fastest.
- Week 2: add the brush. Let your dog sniff and lick the toothbrush or finger brush with paste on it. Then brush a few teeth in small circles at a 45-degree angle to the gumline.
- Build up to the whole mouth. Work toward brushing the outside surfaces of all the teeth for about 30 seconds per side. Most dogs won't let you open the mouth wide, and that's fine: the outside surfaces matter most, and the tongue helps keep the inside surfaces cleaner.
Make it a treat: Lick mat for a calm reward after brushing
Mango's guides: a happy coat between grooms
Printable PDF guides from our groomers, with Mango as your coach. Instant download after checkout, anywhere in the US. English and Spanish editions included.
- Mango's Starter Kit: Brushing Guide + Calendar · $19.99 (best value)
- Mango's Between-Visits Brushing Guide · $14.99
- Mango's Grooming Calendar & Checklists · $7.99
How often should you brush your dog's teeth?
Daily is best, because plaque builds up again every day and it can start to harden into tartar within a few days. If daily isn't realistic, aim for at least three times a week. A consistent routine matters more than a perfect technique. Small breeds, flat-faced dogs like pugs and French bulldogs, toy breeds like Yorkies, Chihuahuas and Maltese, and senior dogs tend to build tartar faster, so they benefit most.
What to do if your dog refuses to let you brush their teeth
- Go back a step. If your dog pulls away, return to the last step they were comfortable with and stay there a few more days.
- Pick a calm moment. After a walk or play session, when your dog is tired and relaxed, works better than when they're full of energy.
- Try a different tool or flavor. Some dogs accept a finger brush or even gauze wrapped around your finger before a toothbrush. A different toothpaste flavor can help too.
- Don't hold your dog down. Forcing it teaches your dog that brushing is scary and makes the next session harder. Short, positive sessions win.
- Do one side at a time. Brushing the left side today and the right side tomorrow still counts.
- Watch for pain. A dog who suddenly won't let you touch one area of the mouth may be sore there. That's a reason to see your veterinarian.
For dogs who are nervous about all handling, not just brushing, see getting a puppy used to grooming; the same slow, step-by-step approach works for adult dogs too.
Coconut oil, baking soda and other home remedies
Coconut oil and baking soda are popular online, but there's no good evidence that either cleans a dog's teeth better than a dog toothpaste, and baking soda tastes bad to most dogs and isn't meant to be swallowed in quantity. What does the work is the brushing itself, the mechanical scrubbing of plaque off the teeth. If you're out of toothpaste, brushing with just water is better than skipping a day.
Can I remove tartar from my dog's teeth at home?
Brushing removes soft plaque and helps prevent new tartar, but it can't remove tartar that has already hardened. Don't scrape your dog's teeth with metal tools at home: it's easy to injure the gums, and a dog who moves suddenly can get hurt. For light tartar on a healthy mouth, anesthesia-free teeth cleaning is one option between vet visits. Heavy tartar, gum disease or anything below the gumline needs a veterinary dental cleaning under anesthesia.
When to see your vet
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums, especially if they bleed every time you brush
- Loose, broken or discolored teeth
- Bad breath that doesn't improve with regular brushing
- Dropping food, chewing on one side, pawing at the mouth or drooling more than usual
- Swelling on the face or under the eye
Most vets check the mouth at every yearly visit and will tell you if your dog needs a professional cleaning.
Get your dog's personalized routine — take the free 1-min quizStart the Pawfile quiz →Dog teeth brushing FAQ
How often should I brush my dog's teeth?
Daily is ideal, because plaque builds up again every day. If that's not realistic, brush at least three times a week. Small breeds, flat-faced dogs and senior dogs tend to build tartar faster and benefit most from a daily routine.
Can I use human toothpaste on my dog?
No. Dogs swallow toothpaste, and many human toothpastes contain fluoride, which isn't meant to be swallowed, or xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Use a toothpaste made for dogs.
How do I brush my dog's teeth if they won't let me?
Go slower. Start by letting your dog lick dog toothpaste off your finger, then rub it on the front teeth, then the back teeth, and only then add a brush, over one to two weeks. Keep sessions short, never hold your dog down, and end with a treat. A finger brush is often easier to accept than a toothbrush.
Is it too late to start brushing an older dog's teeth?
No. Adult and senior dogs can learn to accept brushing with the same slow approach. If your dog already has heavy tartar or sore gums, ask your vet to check the mouth first, since brushing can't remove hardened tartar.
Is it normal for my dog's gums to bleed when I brush?
A tiny bit of pink when you first start can happen, but gums that bleed regularly are a sign of inflammation. Brush gently with a soft brush, and see your veterinarian if the bleeding continues.
Do groomers brush dogs' teeth?
Many do. At Pawradise, teeth brushing is included in every grooming service, and our Boca Raton salon also offers anesthesia-free teeth cleaning as an add-on for dogs with healthy mouths. Brushing at home between grooms is still what keeps plaque down day to day. See what affects dog grooming prices. New to our Boca Raton salon? Get $10 off your first groom with code PAWFILE10 (teeth brushing always included).
This guide is general grooming information, not veterinary advice. For bleeding gums, loose teeth, pain or heavy tartar, see your veterinarian. More Pawfile guides.