5 Ways To Clean Your Dog's Teeth That He Won't Hate PLUS The Disease 85% Of Dogs Have!, by BrightDog Dog Training on YouTube. 5 min 31 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 31 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Put a pea-sized blob of dog toothpaste on your finger and let your dog lick it. Do this for a few days so the taste and the handling become normal.
Lift the lip gently with one hand and rub a gauze pad or finger brush over the outer teeth and gum line for five seconds. Praise and stop while your dog is still calm.
Move to a soft dog toothbrush. Brush only the outside surfaces, where plaque builds up, in small circles angled toward the gum line.
Work around the mouth in short bursts of about 30 seconds per side. If your dog pulls away, end the session and try again the next day.
Brush at least two or three times a week, and daily if your dog tolerates it. Consistency matters more than a long session.
Use dental wipes on the days you skip brushing. Wrap the wipe around your finger and run it along the gum line to lift soft plaque.
Give a dental chew or a chew toy designed for teeth once a day. Choose products with a recognised dental health seal and match the size to your dog.
Ask your vet to check the mouth at each yearly visit. Heavy tartar or loose teeth need a professional clean under anaesthetic, which brushing cannot remove.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use human toothpaste. Fluoride and xylitol are toxic to dogs, and the foam upsets their stomach.
Start with the front teeth and the side your dog turns toward you first, then work backward over several sessions.
Rawhide and hard bones can crack teeth, so pick chews that flex when you bend them.
Bad breath that keeps coming back can signal gum disease, so get it checked rather than covering it up.
Questions
Can I use human toothpaste on my dog?
No. Human toothpaste often contains fluoride or xylitol, which are harmful to dogs, and the mint flavour puts most of them off. Use a dog-specific enzymatic paste instead.
How often should I brush my dog's teeth?
Daily is best, but two to three times a week still makes a real difference. Pair brushing with dental chews or wipes on the other days.
Does brushing remove existing tartar?
No. Brushing prevents new plaque from hardening, but hard tartar needs a scale and polish from your vet under anaesthetic.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
