Dog dental care. Breath clearing the couch? Brush first, chew second, vet third.
Dog dental care in three layers: brush a little daily, a VOHC-accepted chew as backup, the vet for under the gumline. Plus what to try when brushing stalls.
Dog dental care starts with daily brushing: Tartar Shield PRO CARE paste, VOHC-accepted for tartar in dogs, on your finger or a soft brush. Back it with a VOHC-accepted chew, and leave what is under the gumline to your vet.
Dog dental care starts with daily brushing: Tartar Shield PRO CARE paste, VOHC-accepted for tartar in dogs, on your finger or a soft brush.
Back it with a VOHC-accepted chew, and leave what is under the gumline to your vet.
In this guide11 sections
Won't let you near his mouth? Skip the brush tonight, not the care. Hands-off: a water additive in the bowl (check vohc.org for the seal), or for a small dog, Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste, a soft chew with a toothpaste coating. Takes a finger, not a brush? Vetradent Dental Wipes are on VOHC's accepted list for tartar. Short, rewarded handling sessions, and the brush gets its turn later.
Will he sit for it? Start with the brush, not the chew. Five steps build the habit: paste first, then your finger, then a brush, with a VOHC-accepted chew for the days you skip.
Let your dog lick Tartar Shield PRO CARE off your finger for a few days: VOHC-accepted for tartar, coconut flavor, no rinse. Never your own toothpaste.
Rub a finger along the gums and outer teeth. A few seconds, then a treat or praise.
Swap in a finger brush or a soft brush, like the Jasper 360 Finger Toothbrush (see it at Amazon), for dogs new to brushing. Start with the big back teeth and the canines.
Build up to both sides, outer surfaces, every day.
On the days you skip the brush, give a VOHC-accepted chew as backup, and let your vet handle what's under the gumline.
Chews, sprays and water additives help, but only on top of the brush: the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) calls brushing the gold standard. Breath still bad once brushing is a habit? Book a vet check first, then see our dog breath fresheners.
New year, new routine? Start with paste on your finger, add a soft brush, then keep a daily chew for the days you skip. The toothpaste and brush kit guide has the brush-shy version, VOHC dental chews lists the chews, and small dogs have their own dental treat sizes.
Dog dental care in three layers
Think of it like your own teeth: toothbrush at home, extras when you can, the dentist for the deep work.
Layer 1, daily: brush. Even a quick pass over the outer surfaces of the back teeth counts. That's where tartar piles up first.
Layer 2, most days: a VOHC-accepted chew or product. Useful for the days you skip the brush, never instead of it.
Layer 3, at the vet: an exam at every checkup, and a cleaning under anesthesia when your vet says it's time. Ask your vet whether your dog needs a professional scaling on top of home care.
The picks side by side
Pick
Best for
The catch
Our pickTartar Shield PRO CARE Natural
Dogs who let you brush, or lick it off a finger
Contains peppermint oil.
Also greatJasper 360 Finger Toothbrush
Dogs new to brushing
Finger brushes wear out. Swap in the spare when the bristles flatten.
Also greatGreenies Original Regular Natural Dental
Plaque and tartar on 25-50 lb dogs
Not for aggressive chewers. Pick a different treat for a hard chewer.
Layer 1: brushing that your dog will actually allow
The brush matters less than the routine. Use a dog toothpaste, never yours: human toothpaste often has fluoride, and some contain xylitol, which the ASPCA lists as dangerous to pets.
Which paste? Tartar Shield PRO CARE: on VOHC's accepted list for tartar in dogs, coconut flavor to offer on your finger first, and no rinse. Every ingredient is on the maker's page. See the Tartar Shield PRO CARE pick page.
Layer 2: chews, and how to pick one that does something
The dental aisle is loud. One label cuts through it: the VOHC Seal of Acceptance. VOHC only grants it after reviewing data that the product controls plaque, tartar or both when used as directed. Check the product on vohc.org, not just the packaging.
Two catches with any chew: it only works if your dog actually chews it rather than swallowing it in two gulps, and the calories count toward the day's food. Our VOHC-accepted dental chews list has options by dog size.
Layer 3: the vet's part
Your vet looks at the teeth at every checkup. If there's tartar under the gumline, loose teeth or sore gums, they'll recommend a cleaning under anesthesia, where they can scale below the gums and check every tooth.
Your vet checks the teeth at every checkup. Photo: Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric C. Tretter, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Skip the "anesthesia-free cleaning" shortcut. The American Veterinary Dental College says it is not a replacement for dental procedures done under anesthesia. It can't reach below the gumline, so teeth can look clean while the problem keeps going. More in dental treats vs professional cleaning.
Brush, chew, wipe or additive: what each one does
Five tools, one job. Here is what each one does, and where it falls short.
Brush and dog toothpaste: the gold standard, in VOHC's words. It reaches the outer surfaces, where tartar shows first. The catch: it takes a daily routine, and a dog who clamps needs the slow build in the steps above.
Dental chew: backup for the days you skip. It works only when your dog chews it, so pick the size the package lists for your dog's weight, and count it in the day's food.
Dental wipe: goes on with a finger, so it suits a dog who won't take a brush. Vetradent Dental Wipes are on VOHC's accepted list for tartar in dogs.
Water additive: the least effort, since it goes in the bowl. A helper, never a replacement; check vohc.org for the seal before you buy.
Vet cleaning under anesthesia: the only one of the five that reaches below the gumline. Home care slows the buildup between cleanings; it can't stand in for one.
Chewing on one side, dropping food or pawing at the mouth
Dogs who won't let you near their mouth
Some dogs, especially older ones with sensitive mouths, just won't tolerate a brush. Ask your vet which home products make sense in the meantime. For an older dog who flinches, our gentle senior dog dental routine goes slower.
Five sticking points, and the step that gets past each one.
Your dog clamps their mouth shut: go back one step. Paste on your finger again for a few days, then gums only, and end each session before your dog pulls away.
The brush gets chewed instead of used: switch to a finger brush or a dental wipe for a while. Both go on with a finger, so there is no handle to grab.
The gums bleed when you brush: stop and book the vet. Red, swollen or bleeding gums are on the warning list above, and a sore mouth turns every session into a fight.
Breath is still bad once brushing is a habit: the smell may come from under the gumline, which no brush reaches. That calls for a vet exam, not a new chew.
Your dog gulps chews whole: a swallowed chew skips the part that works. Check that the size matches your dog's weight on the package (our dental treats matched to a small dog's weight guide helps there), stay close the first few times, or swap the chew for a wipe or a water additive.
Common mistakes
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Expecting a chew, a spray or a water additive to do the brush's job: the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) calls brushing the gold standard and treats everything else as help on top.
Using your own toothpaste: human toothpaste often has fluoride, and some contain xylitol, which the ASPCA lists as dangerous to pets.
Picking a chew by its label: look for the VOHC Seal of Acceptance and check the product on vohc.org, not just the packaging.
The "anesthesia-free cleaning" shortcut: the American Veterinary Dental College says it is not a replacement for dental procedures done under anesthesia. It can't reach below the gumline, so teeth can look clean while the problem keeps going.
Quick answers
How often should I brush my dog's teeth?
Daily is the target. VOHC calls brushing the gold standard, and even a quick pass over the outer surfaces of the back teeth counts. Missed a day? That's what the chew is for.
Do I need to brush the inside of my dog's teeth?
Not at first. Start with the outer surfaces of the big back teeth and the canines, where tartar shows first. Add the inner surfaces once your dog accepts the brush; a short daily pass on the outside beats a long fight over the whole mouth.
Can I use a water additive instead of brushing?
As a helper, yes; as a replacement, no. Some additives carry the VOHC seal, so check vohc.org first. Our dental water additives guide covers dogs who fight the brush.
Are dental chews effective?
A VOHC-accepted chew helps control plaque or tartar when your dog chews it as directed. It backs up brushing and vet care; it doesn't replace them.
When should I start?
As early as you can. Start with short, rewarded mouth handling, and ask your vet when to start brushing through the teething months.
The short version
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Brush daily with dog toothpaste, add a VOHC-accepted chew for backup, and let the vet do the cleaning under anesthesia when it's needed. If the breath, gums or chewing changes, book the visit instead of buying another chew.
