How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth, Step by Step

Last updated: February 2026

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, the yearly reminder from the American Veterinary Medical Association that our dogs’ mouths need the same daily attention ours do. Most of us brush our own teeth without thinking about it. Brushing a dog’s teeth feels harder, mostly because nobody showed us how.

This guide walks you through it, from why it matters and how often to do it, to the exact supplies, a two-week training plan, the brushing technique vets teach, and what to do if your dog simply will not cooperate.

Why should you brush your dog’s teeth?

Periodontal disease is an infection and inflammation of the tissues that hold teeth in place. It starts when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, sits along the gumline. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that within about a day plaque combines with minerals in saliva and hardens into tartar (calculus), and left untreated the disease can lead to painful tooth loss.

That 12.5% figure from the Royal Veterinary College’s VetCompass program is almost certainly an undercount. The authors note that prospective studies using full dental exams have reported prevalence as high as 63%, and that many cases are missed in a routine awake exam. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) puts it simply: by three years of age, most dogs and cats have some level of periodontal disease that often goes unnoticed by owners.

Small dogs carry the most risk. In the VetCompass data, Greyhounds, King Charles Spaniels, Toy Poodles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Yorkshire Terriers had some of the highest rates, and the odds dropped as adult body weight went up. A study of 52 miniature schnauzers found that once their oral care routine stopped, 35 dogs developed early periodontitis in 12 or more teeth within 60 weeks, and only one dog stayed clear.

A healthy mouth is part of a long, comfortable life. If you are curious how size and breed shape that bigger picture, our guide to how long dogs live covers the numbers.

How often should you brush your dog’s teeth?

Daily is the target. The AVMA says daily brushing is best, though brushing several times a week can still be effective when daily is not possible. AAHA’s dental guidelines are firmer, telling vets to advise clients that brushing needs to be done daily to be of benefit. The research explains why.

The pattern is consistent. Weekly brushing helps a little with tartar, but gum inflammation only reliably improves with daily brushing. The reason is speed: plaque comes back fast.

“Plaque builds up on teeth within 12 hours of cleaning, therefore brushing your pet’s teeth at least once daily, for just 60 seconds, is the best and most effective method to decrease bacteria in the mouth.”

Bethany Wright, licensed veterinary technician, Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

If daily feels impossible right now, start with what you can manage and build toward it. A few brushings a week is far better than none.

What do you need to brush a dog’s teeth?

The kit is small and inexpensive. You need three things: a brush, a dog-safe toothpaste and a reward your dog loves.

Toothpaste made for dogs. Dogs swallow toothpaste instead of spitting it out, so it has to be safe to swallow. VCA notes that pet toothpastes come in flavors dogs like, such as poultry, beef and malt, and a flavor your dog enjoys makes the whole job easier. Toothpaste is technically optional, since the brushing does the cleaning, but most dogs accept the routine faster with a tasty paste.

A soft brush that fits the mouth. Options include dog toothbrushes with angled handles, double- or triple-headed brushes, small handheld brushes and finger brushes that slip over your fingertip. VCA says many owners find a finger brush easiest at the start, and a soft toothbrush made for human babies works for some dogs. Cornell’s dentistry team suggests a pet brush or a child’s soft, small-headed brush. For bigger dogs, a soft adult human brush is fine. Replace the brush about every three months, and give each dog their own.

Rewards. Small, soft training treats or a favorite toy at the end. Our roundup of the best dog treats includes low-calorie options that work well for training.

How do you get your dog used to tooth brushing?

Most of the work happens before the brush ever touches a tooth. Colorado State University’s veterinary hospital recommends building up gradually over one to two weeks, with the goal of brushing the outside surfaces of all teeth each time. Here is a simple schedule based on the steps used by Cornell, VCA and CSU. Move to the next step only when your dog is relaxed with the current one.

1. Days 1 to 3. Gently pet and handle your dog’s muzzle for a few seconds, then praise and reward. Cornell notes this stage can take a few days to a week.
2. Days 4 to 5. Lift the upper lip briefly and rub a finger or soft cloth along the outer surfaces of a few teeth and the gums.
3. Days 6 to 7. Let your dog lick a little dog toothpaste off your finger, then rub some on the teeth with your finger or cloth.
4. Days 8 to 10. Introduce the brush. Let your dog sniff and lick the paste off it, then brush one or two back teeth on each side.
5. Days 11 to 14. Add a few teeth each session until you can brush the outer surfaces of the whole mouth.

Pick a quiet spot with good light and a time you will not skip. Cornell suggests brushing your dog’s teeth right before or after you brush your own, so the habit piggybacks on one you already have. Small dogs can sit in your lap facing away from you; for bigger dogs, sit on a chair with your dog beside you.

A little fun helps the habit stick, especially with kids involved. Some families keep a brushing chart on the fridge. With the free Lohji app (Lohji: Cartoon Your Pet on the App Store, Lohji: Cartoon Pet Avatar on Google Play) you can turn one photo of your dog into a 3D cartoon character for stickers, wallpapers and collector cards, and the same app runs your Smart Tag’s finder profile.

How do you brush your dog’s teeth, step by step?

Once your dog accepts the brush, the actual brushing takes a minute or two. This technique combines guidance from VCA, Colorado State University, the Ontario Veterinary College and the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s standard brushing protocol.

1. Load the brush. Put a small amount of dog toothpaste on the bristles. You do not need much, since the brushing does most of the work.
2. Lift the lip. With your free hand, gently raise the upper lip on one side. You can push the lip up with your index finger, or rest your hand over the top of the muzzle with your thumb and finger lifting the lips on each side. For the lower teeth, pull the lower lip down or tilt the head back slightly to open the mouth a little.
3. Angle the bristles. Hold the brush at about a 45-degree angle to the tooth, with the bristles pointing toward the gumline. Gum disease starts where the tooth meets the gum, so that is where you want the bristles working, with the tips just reaching under the gum edge.
4. Use gentle strokes. Brush back and forth, or in small circles, using light pressure. CSU suggests about three back-and-forth strokes on each tooth or small section. If the bristles flatten or flare out against the teeth, you are pressing too hard, which is uncomfortable for your dog and irritates the gums.
5. Start at the back. Focus first on the large cheek teeth (premolars and molars) and the canines, because VCA notes that is where plaque and tartar build up fastest. Work from the back of the mouth toward the front, then switch sides.
6. Do the front teeth last. Once the sides are done, lift the lip in front and brush the small incisors and the canines top and bottom. These are easy to forget. In the University of Bristol greyhound trial, brushing had no significant effect on the incisors, which the researchers suspected was because they got less attention.
7. Stick to the outside surfaces. The outer, cheek-facing surfaces matter most. VCA explains that most periodontal damage happens there and that a dog’s tongue clears a lot of plaque from the inner surfaces. If your dog is very cooperative, you can add the inner surfaces later, but it is not required.
8. Watch the clock. VCA and the Ontario Veterinary College suggest about 30 seconds per side. Cornell’s dental technician recommends a minimum of 60 seconds daily for the whole mouth. Either way, short and daily beats long and occasional.
9. Reward and clean up. Praise your dog throughout, and finish with a treat or play. Rinse the brush well, let it air dry and wash your hands, since a dog’s mouth carries plenty of bacteria. VCA suggests wearing gloves if that does not get in your way.

Expect the first full-mouth sessions to feel clumsy. Your hands will learn the angles quickly, and your dog will learn that brushing always ends with something good. Many dogs start to expect it once it becomes part of the daily routine.

Keep in mind what brushing can and cannot do. AAHA notes that brushing removes plaque, not hardened tartar. If your dog’s teeth already have brown or yellow buildup, brushing will slow new buildup but will not scrape off the old. That needs a professional cleaning first, and brushing then keeps the clean teeth clean much longer.

Is brushing different for puppies, adults and senior dogs?

Puppies. Start early. VCA says the ideal time to begin brushing a puppy’s teeth is as soon as you bring them home, because a puppy that is used to mouth handling grows into an adult that tolerates brushing. Puppies have 28 baby teeth, and by about six to seven months most have all 42 adult teeth, according to VCA and the Merck Veterinary Manual. Gums are sensitive while teeth are erupting, so use a finger brush or very soft brush and keep it gentle. Check for baby teeth that do not fall out, since retained teeth crowd the adult ones and trap food. Add dog toothpaste and a puppy brush to your new puppy checklist.

Adult dogs. Older dogs can absolutely learn; VCA notes the training may simply take a little longer. Follow the same gradual plan, and do not rush the early steps.

Senior dogs. Older mouths often already have disease. AAHA warns that brushing teeth with already inflamed gums causes pain and makes animals averse to brushing. If your senior dog has red gums, heavy tartar or bad breath, book a dental exam before you start, then begin brushing once the mouth is comfortable. Senior dogs are also more likely to wander or become confused, so it is a good time to double-check their ID.

What if your dog hates having their teeth brushed?

First, slow down. Most resistance comes from moving too fast. Go back to the last step your dog was comfortable with, shorten the sessions and raise the value of the reward. Try a different toothpaste flavor or switch from a long-handled brush to a finger brush, or the other way around. Never force or pin a dog, and stop and talk to your vet if your dog shows fear or tries to bite. A sudden objection in a dog that used to accept brushing can be a sign of mouth pain.

If brushing truly is not possible, or you want backup on busy days, look for products carrying the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal. The VOHC is a council of veterinary dentists and dental scientists that reviews product data and awards its seal to products that meet its standards for slowing plaque, tartar or both. It calls brushing the gold standard, but says daily chewing and daily use of VOHC-accepted products can also help keep teeth and gums healthy.

• Dental chews. Useful as a supplement, and the Gorrel study found a daily chew improved results when brushing was only every other day. We compare popular options in our guide to the best dog dental chews. VOHC advises choosing the right size for your dog’s weight and supervising chewing.
• Dental diets. Cornell suggests prescription dental diets for pets that will not cooperate, after talking with your vet.
• Water additives, gels and wipes. Check the VOHC list first. A University of Wisconsin veterinary dentist notes wipes may offer some benefit but are no replacement for regular brushing.

Avoid very hard chews. The same Wisconsin dentist advises against bones, antlers and other hard objects because they commonly fracture teeth. His rule of thumb: if you can bend or flex it, it is less likely to break a tooth. Remember, too, that in the Allan study brushing was more than three times as effective as a daily chew, so keep working toward the brush.

When should your dog see the vet about their teeth?

The AVMA recommends a veterinary check of your dog’s teeth and gums at least once a year. Book sooner if you notice any of these signs:

• Bad breath
• Broken or loose teeth
• Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
• Discolored teeth or teeth covered in tartar
• Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food
• Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• Pain in or around the mouth, bleeding, or swelling around the mouth

Persistent bad breath deserves its own look, since it is not always dental. Our guide to why your dog has bad breath walks through the common causes.

Professional cleanings happen under anesthesia. The AVMA explains that because most dental disease occurs below the gumline, a thorough cleaning and evaluation are done under anesthesia, often with dental X-rays to check the roots and jaw. That is the only way to clean below the gums, probe for pockets and treat what is found.

What about anesthesia-free cleanings? The AVMA, AAHA and the American Veterinary Dental College do not recommend them. AAHA’s guidelines say the procedure only cleans the visible tooth surface, which gives owners a false sense of benefit while disease below the gumline goes untreated. It also adds stress, a risk of injury and a risk of inhaling debris, since the airway is not protected. AAHA adds that anesthetic risk is very low for healthy or minimally compromised patients when performed by appropriately trained teams.

Brushing is one more piece of hands-on home care, like the nail trims in our step-by-step guide to trimming dog nails. A few minutes a day adds up to a more comfortable dog.

Frequently asked questions