Dog teeth cleaning is not always a high priority for dog owners, and even if it is done, it’s not as regular as it should be. However, it's an essential part of keeping your dog’s overall dental health in check — and you can do more than you think to keep that smelly breath at bay and those pearly whites in excellent condition.
We’ve got all the teeth cleaning basics covered, with helpful tips and insights from Petstock VET, Dr Natalia Li.
How to brush your dog's teeth
To avoid dental disease in dogs, you should adopt a regular cleaning routine. With a slow and consistent introduction of teeth cleaning products to your dog, it doesn't need to be a high anxiety or comical event.
What you'll need
Firstly, you won’t be using a human-grade toothpaste or toothbrush to clean your dog’s teeth. Instead, there is a range of dog teeth cleaning tools available to purchase, along with complete cleaning kits.
“These specialised toothbrushes are designed specifically for canine dentition and are usually a little less abrasive than our average human brushes.” - Dr Natalia Li, PETstock VET.
To make life (and your dog's breath) a breeze, you can also add these dental products to your rotation:
The right technique
Squeeze out the toothpaste required according to the package (different manufacturers may have different requirements). Gently pry open your pup’s mouth, and lightly run the “pasted” dog toothbrush on all teeth from as many angles as you can, just like how you would brush your own teeth.
Use small, circular movements over the teeth, all the way up to the gum line, to cover off the entire surface. If you notice any blood on the toothbrush, it’s worth getting this checked at the vet to ensure it isn’t an early sign of periodontal disease.
“After brushing your dog’s teeth, tell your pup what a good dog he/she is and potentially give a treat as a reward. You can also choose to give a dental treat and let it take care of the nooks and corners you may have missed.” - Dr Natalia Li, PETstock VET.
It’s important you never use human toothpaste to clean your dog’s teeth, as some ingredients can be toxic to dogs.
Desensitising dogs to teeth cleaning
It's understandable that your dog may be unnerved by the teeth cleaning process. But Dr Li has a few recommendations to desensitise them.
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If your dog is uncooperative with the teeth cleaning process, start simple and leave the toothbrush behind for now. Instead, use a bit of meat juice or tuna juice, dip your finger in it and rub it against their gum line to show them what a good time they are having.
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You can also look to alleviate their fear of the brush by first leaving it next to them without any action. If they choose to stay calm near the brush, you can reward them with lots of treats.
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The last step is putting the brush closer and closer to their mouth. Reward them with lots of treats if they’re behaving, and eventually, move onto putting the brush into their mouth. Again, start with meat juice on the toothbrush first, and when they become accepting, you can use the actual dog toothpaste or gel.
If your pup is particularly anxious and the process is causing too much stress than it should, don’t force it too hard. The pressure is not worth it, and you can always resort to daily dental treats and water additives, along with your regular professional dental cleans. Just remember, dental treats and water additives won’t be as effective as actual brushing, even though your pup would appreciate it.
Products to clean your dog's teeth
1. Dental sticks
Dental chews and sticks are excellent for helping keep your dog’s teeth clean by mechanically removing plaque and preventing tartar and plaque formation. While we don’t recommend treats or chews to replace manual or professional teeth cleans, they do assist in maintaining your dog’s overall dental health.
We recommend:
- Bell & Bone Roo & Turmeric Dental Sticks Dog Treats
- Pedigree Dentastix Oral Care Large Breed Dog Treats 56 Pack
- Savourlife Natural Dental Bars Dog Treats Small 8 Pack
2. Treats and bones
It’s not just dental chews and sticks which help keep your dog’s pearly whites in the best condition. Other natural products and toys deliver similar benefits. You'll find there are many different treats and bones that assist in keeping your dog's teeth clean. However, it's important to understand the ingredients and related dietary information before settling on particular treats.
For large dogs, big bones are best, with dental sticks a better option a great alternative for small dogs. It is essential that you only feed raw bones, as cooked bones may splinter and cause oral or intestinal injury. It's also vital to ensure the raw bones (or any meat product) are fresh and that care is taken with marrow bones as they can be rich and fatty.
3. Dental toys
Playtime can also be a great excuse to give your dog something to benefit their teeth and gums. There are many toys available with specifically designed surfaces and edges that take care of lingering plaque build-up.
4. Tailored dental food
Another way to keep your dog's teeth clean is to feed them tailored dental food, available in various recipes from many pet foods brands and manufacturers. Oral care or dental food is specifically formulated to support and maintain your dog's dental health with specialised ingredients, as well as the design of the kibble. If you are thinking of switching your dog to dental food, you should consult with your vet first to ensure the diet is right for your dog.
"Dental food is designed to help with creating more friction with the teeth than normal kibble. If you decide to feed your pet dental food, keep in mind that they must only be eating dental food in one sitting and should not be mixed with another kibble. However, if you want to feed them non-dental food at another time, it's okay to do so, as long as it's not in the same meal/mixture." – Dr Natalia Li, PETstock Vet.
Our top picks?
- Royal Canin Medium Dental Care Adult Dry Dog Food
- Hill's Prescription Diet T/D Dental Care Dry Dog Food
- Advance Large Breed Triple Action Dental Care Dry Dog Food
Note: With any substantial change or alteration to your dog’s diet, you should ensure the transition is gradual and that you speak to your vet if you notice any changes in behaviour or health.
When to get a professional dental checkup
While it’s important to clean your dog’s teeth at home, you should also book your dog into a vet for regular professional dental cleans every six months. You can also speak to your vet for a more personalised and holistic dental care plan.
A professional dental clean will ensure all plaque and build up are removed with specialised equipment at the vet. Here is a breakdown of what your dog can expect at a Petstock VET when you book in for a dental clean.
- Undergo a full health check with your vet
- Conduct blood tests to ensure your dog is able to be placed under anaesthesia
- Place your dog under anaesthesia
- Complete the dental clean, while your dog is monitored at all times
- Receive a post-clean consult once your dog is awake and has recovered
A professional dental clean includes an ultrasonic scaler that removes all resistant plague and tartar safely. Subsequently, this resolves gingivitis caused by these pockets of bacteria and debris on the teeth. Due to the ultrasonic scaler being loud and potentially distressing, dental cleans are always performed under a general anaesthetic, and this also allows vets to perform a full oral examination.
While under anaesthetic, the vet may also be able to identify other oral lesions or diseased teeth, then they can remove them at once before they cause too much pain and discomfort for your pet.
Ready to keep your dog's mouth healthy — and their teeth sparkling clean? Explore Petstock's range of dog dental care products today. Or book in with a Petstock Vet for a tailored consultation.