How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth

Brush your dog's teeth once a day with a soft toothbrush and a dog toothpaste, never a human one. Aim for about 60 seconds, working on the outer surfaces of the teeth along the gum line.

Build up to it over days or weeks, starting with gentle touches around the mouth and plenty of rewards.

Many dogs are wary at first. With a slow start, brushing can become a calm part of the day that your dog looks forward to.

Why does brushing matter so much?

It comes down to plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. A veterinary technician at Cornell's dentistry service explains that plaque builds up again within 12 hours of cleaning.

Leave it, and it hardens. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center notes that within as little as 24 hours, minerals in saliva such as calcium begin turning plaque into tartar, the brown deposit you can sometimes see near the gums.

That timing explains the daily rule. A toothbrush can sweep away soft plaque, but the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) points out that brushing does not remove tartar once it has formed. Only a veterinary cleaning does that.

Here's the surprising part. Cornell describes plaque, which is almost invisible, as the main culprit in the mouth, and the visible tartar as a smaller player. Clean-looking teeth are no guarantee.

Cornell calls brushing the most effective form of home dental care for dogs. Chews and rinses help, but nothing at home does more.

Can I use my own toothpaste on my dog?

No. This is the one rule with no exceptions. Use a toothpaste made for dogs.

The first reason is xylitol. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists toothpaste, floss, mouthwash and breath mints among the products that can contain this sweetener, and the amount varies widely from brand to brand.

In dogs, the ASPCA explains, xylitol triggers a sudden release of insulin. Blood sugar can drop within 30 minutes, and liver injury can follow. Signs of liver trouble may not show for two or three days.

Here's a strange twist: the ASPCA notes that xylitol does not cause serious problems in cats or people. Dogs are the species at risk.

The second reason is simpler. Cornell points out that human toothpaste contains detergents and fluoride. People spit it out. Dogs swallow it.

Dog toothpaste usually comes flavored for dogs. Cornell's canine health center adds that many veterinary pastes contain enzymes, and they are meant to be brushed on and left in place.

If your dog eats something containing xylitol

Check the label first. The ASPCA advises going to a veterinary clinic straight away if the product contains xylitol and your dog is acting abnormally.

If your dog seems fine, still call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. Have the package, the amount eaten and your dog's weight ready.

What do I need to get started?

The kit is small. Cornell's veterinary dentistry team suggests:

• a toothbrush made for pets, or a child's toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles
• a toothpaste made for pets
• a reward your dog loves, such as a small treat or a favorite toy

Merck's veterinary manual gives the same advice for owners: a special toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs.

Soft bristles matter. AAHA's guidelines name brushing with a soft-bristled brush, once or twice a day, as the gold standard of home care.

A towel or bath mat helps too. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center suggests putting one down in the same spot each time, so your dog learns that the mat means brushing time.

How do I brush my dog's teeth, step by step?

Treat it as training. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center advises against trying a full brushing on day one. Each step below can take days or even weeks, and that's normal.

1. Pick a time and a place. Brushing your dog's teeth right after your own is an easy way to remember.
2. Let your dog lick a little dog toothpaste from the brush or the tube. Repeat for a few days so the taste becomes something good.
3. Touch the head. Hover your hand above your dog's head, then reward. Progress to resting your hand there, then reward again.
4. Lift the lip with your thumb and reward. Then gently pull back the cheek at the corner of the mouth to show the back teeth, and reward.
5. Run a finger with a little paste along the gums, then reward.
6. Touch one tooth briefly with the brush. Reward. Then try a few strokes, adding a little more time with each session.
7. Build up to brushing one section of the mouth at a time, until you can reach all the outer surfaces.

If your dog pulls away, go back a step. Cornell's advice is to go at the dog's pace, aiming for long-term success over quick wins.

A saying you use every time, such as "teeth time," helps your dog know what's coming. Cornell's DogWatch newsletter recommends exactly that.

Where should the brush go?

Concentrate on the outside of the teeth, facing the lips and cheeks. Cornell's dentistry technician recommends small circular strokes that take in the gum line as well.

The upper back teeth deserve extra care. The Veterinary Oral Health Council notes that plaque and tartar build up fastest on the cheek side of the upper teeth.

How often should I brush, and what if my dog won't let me?

Daily. AAHA's 2019 guidelines state that brushing needs to be done every day to be of benefit, because plaque returns so quickly.

Some days won't go to plan. The American Veterinary Dental College, in guidance published by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, says any brushing done regularly is better than none.

If brushing isn't possible yet, AAHA lists other options: dental wipes, gels, rinses, sprays, water additives and dental chews. They can fill the gap while you keep practicing.

What does the VOHC seal mean?

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) awards a seal to products that meet its standards for slowing the buildup of plaque, tartar or both.

AAHA notes that many products make dental claims, but only those accepted by the VOHC have met preset standards. The council publishes its accepted products on its website.

Which chews are safe?

AAHA's advice is to avoid any chew or toy that does not bend or break easily. It names bones, cow and horse hooves, antlers and hard nylon.

Cornell adds that chewing hard objects can wear down or break teeth.

When can I start brushing my puppy's teeth?

Start handling early and start full brushing later. Cornell's advice is to begin brushing once all the adult teeth are in, which Merck puts at around 7 months.

AAHA explains why. Puppies still losing their baby teeth may find home dental care uncomfortable, and bad early experiences are best avoided.

Until then, practice the easy steps. Short, happy sessions of touching the muzzle, lifting the lip and tasting dog toothpaste do most of the groundwork. Our guide to puppy teething toys covers what's happening in the mouth during those months.

Size matters too. AAHA's guidelines say that owners of a puppy expected to weigh under 20 to 25 pounds as an adult should expect dental care to be more involved than for a larger dog.

Call your vet promptly if your dog:

• has breath that smells stronger than usual. Cornell notes it is often the first thing owners notice
• paws or rubs at the mouth, or drools more than usual
• eats more slowly, carries food away from the bowl, or drops it
• won't chew favorite toys
• bleeds from the mouth
• has a loose or broken tooth
• ate anything containing xylitol

AAHA also advises against brushing gums that are already sore, because it hurts and can make a dog wary of brushing. If the gums look red or bleed, let your vet check them first.

Questions new puppy parents ask

Can I use human toothpaste on my dog?

No. Some contain xylitol, which the ASPCA warns is dangerous for dogs, and Cornell notes human paste contains detergents and fluoride that dogs swallow.

How often should I brush my dog's teeth?

Every day, for about a minute. AAHA's guidelines say brushing needs to be daily to be of benefit.

Do I need dog toothpaste at all?

The brushing does the main work. Cornell's dentistry technician lists pet toothpaste as optional, but if you use one, it must be made for pets.

What kind of puppy toothbrush should I use?

A soft-bristled brush made for pets, or a child's toothbrush with a small head. Start full brushing once the adult teeth are in.

Do I still need professional cleanings if I brush?

Yes. AAHA states that even daily brushing does not replace veterinary dental exams. Your vet checks the mouth at routine visits and will advise when a cleaning is needed.

Teaching a cat takes a slightly different approach. Our guide to choosing a cat toothbrush walks through it.

Sources

• Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: Dental disease and home dental care
• Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: Periodontal disease
• Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth, 2025
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Veterinary Tips for Pet Dental Care
• Bellows J, et al. 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. JAAHA, 2019
• Holmstrom SE, et al. 2013 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. JAAHA, 2013
• ASPCA: Xylitol, the Sweetener That Is Not So Sweet for Pets
• ASPCA: Updated Safety Warning on Xylitol
• Veterinary Oral Health Council: Brushing
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Routine Health Care of Dogs

This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog — they know the animal in front of them.

Choolip products are food supplements, not medicine. They are not intended to diagnose or manage any medical condition. If your dog has been diagnosed with a condition, their diet should be set by your vet.