Dog dental hygiene and how to clean your dog's teeth

There are several possible reasons your dog’s breath might smell fishy or unpleasant. From poor dental hygiene to something more serious like an infection.  

Many causes of bad or fishy breath in dogs are easily resolved. Speak to your vet if you’re concerned. They may just recommend brushing, which we’ll cover on this page. 
 

When should you start brushing your dog's teeth? 

• if possible, introduce your dog to having their teeth brushed when they’re a puppy. For dogs of any age, tooth brushing needs to be introduced in a gradual and positive way.  
   
• ideally, brush your dog's teeth daily. You can read our step-by-step guide to brushing your dog’s teeth further down this page.  
   
• if your dog pulls away or is uncomfortable at any point, stop what you’re doing and take a break.  
   
• during your next session, go back a step in the tooth-brushing process to when your dog was relaxed and comfortable. Practise that step slowly and gradually before progressing again.
   
• if you're struggling to brush your dog's teeth or they show signs of being worried, speak to your vet or seek support from a qualified behaviourist.
   

What should you use to brush your dog's teeth?

You can buy enzymatic dog toothpaste and a brush or rubber thimble from your vet or pet shop. Enzymatic toothpaste helps break down plaque and reduces bad breath. They also come in enticing flavours like chicken or liver. 

Never use human toothpaste as it can be toxic for dogs.

It’s not always easy to find time in your day to dig out the brush and doggy toothpaste, and it might not be the most glamorous of tasks. But it’s important to look after your dog's teeth. Dental disease is a common health problem for our four-legged friends and can cause them pain from sore teeth and gums.

If you’re able to, daily teeth brushing will help prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar on your dog’s pearly whites. These build-ups can lead to gingivitis and dental disease, so it’s worth doing.

It’s sometimes difficult to recognise if your dog is in pain because of dental disease. They’ll often continue to eat, which can hide how serious the problem is.

Here are a few signs to look for that could mean your dog has dental problems:

• bad breath, excessive drooling or blood-stained saliva  
• change in their eating habits, e.g. preferring soft food to biscuits  
• red or swollen gums (gingivitis- inflammation starts as a thin red line along the gum)
• discolouration of the teeth. Plaque is a sticky, colourless build-up on the teeth. Plaque can then lead to tartar (a hard white to brown coating that causes dental disease)
• swelling on the face  
• pawing at or rubbing their mouth or face  
• fractured, visibly loose or missing teeth.   

Your vet will check your dog's teeth on a regular basis but if your dog shows any of these signs, seek veterinary advice. Many vet practices offer free dental clinics with their vet nurses or free nurse checks with pet care plans. 

Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is one of the best ways to minimise bad breath. To get started, you'll need to teach your dog how to rest their chin on your hand.

1. hold your open hand flat with your palm up in front of your dog’s snout - slightly below chin level.  
    
2. in your other hand, hold a treat in front of your dog just below their nose. As your dog reaches for the treat, slowly lower your hand holding the treat towards your open palm. As your dog places their chin across your open palm, mark that they got the behaviour right by saying 'yes' or 'good,’ and reward them with the treat. 
    
3. repeat this a few times. Once your dog is getting it right, start to fade out the treat in your hand by repeating the steps with the same motion but no treat. 
    
4. reward them with a treat when they place their chin onto your palm. This time, get the treat from your pocket or a treat pouch instead of your hand. Once you've practised this, start to fade out the moving hand by moving it less and less. Do this until you’re able to present just your palm with your dog placing their chin across it. 
    
5. reward your dog each time they get it right. Once they’ve got the hang of it, add a verbal cue like ‘chin’, wait for a second, then present your palm for your dog to place their chin on. You can start to increase the duration over sessions by waiting a second before marking and rewarding your dog.

It's important to understand your dog's body language so you can tell when they're feeling uncomfortable or uncertain. Once they have mastered this you can get them used to having their mouth and teeth touched and cleaned.

Tooth brushing is the best way to keep your dog’s mouth healthy. Your vet may also recommend teeth gels, specific food types or treats and toys to help with oral health. These can be used alongside brushing, or while you’re working with your dog to get them used to tooth brushing.

Always consult your vet before using any products alongside brushing, and book in with a nurse or vet for a dental check.