This can be done once a month or more if you’re a real clean freak! How much should a dog toothbrush cost? Develop a regular brushing routine. The ideal is to brush dog teeth daily. If not possible, aim for a minimum of three times each week. We love this kit from Nylabone because it is vet-recommended and includes everything you need to start an oral care routine for your puppy. Each kit is domestically made and offers a small traditional toothbrush, finger brush, and toothpaste. The traditional toothbrush has a rubberized grip and an angled handle, making it easy to hold and maneuver in those hard-to-reach places of your puppy’s small mouth. Dog owners will also appreciate that the bristles are very soft and won’t cause any damage or irritation. Meanwhile, the finger brush is made of smooth silicone and is comfortable to wear and massage your pup’s gums. However, its small size may be too small for some adult fingers. Take your dog in for annual professional cleanings. A veterinary professional can perform a dental examination, treat any issues, and clean areas that are not as easily accessible with a toothbrush. Brushing a dog’s teeth helps prevent periodontal disease, but it can’t treat it if it’s already formed.

The toothbrush is available in one color, which can make it more difficult to assign toothbrushes in multi-pet homes.Though brushing dog teeth is important for dental hygiene and overall health, “A non-veterinary professional is not a substitutefor professional dental care performed by a veterinary-trained professional that has been educated on how to recognize dental and oral disease and what the appropriate treatment options are,” says Denise Rollings, a veterinary technician specialist (dentistry), and founder of Pet Dental Education, LLC. Use a toothbrush appropriate for your dog. Finding a toothbrush your dog likes can make or break the cleaning experience. Choose one with soft, flexible bristles to prevent gum irritation, and a longer handle to allow each access to all teeth. The brush head should be appropriate to your dog’s size. When you’re shopping for a dog’s toothbrush, you don’t necessarily need anything too fancy—though you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing a brush that’s the right size for your dog. “Due to the size of their jaw, most pets need a smaller brush,” says Dr. Simon. “Smaller breeds like Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus may benefit from small ‘finger’ brushes which are rubber tubes with bristles placed on the outside of your finger.” You won’t want to try a finger brush with a dog you don’t trust to not bite you, though. To use, first add a little bit of water to the inside of the brush to create a more secure fit on your finger. The water will help the silicone stretch or shrink depending on the size of the finger you are using. Then apply toothpaste to one side and gently insert into your dog's mouth. With bristles on all sides, the 360 Pet Finger Toothbrush makes it easier and faster to reach more sections of your dog's mouth and their tongue, removing buildup and freshening their breath.

Of course, you should also always take into account how damaged the brush has become by chewing or biting from a boisterous pup. Ideally, you should replace a brush every time it becomes damaged to avoid risks of pieces breaking off into your pup’s mouth or scratching them. Much like when we have to decide whether to switch up our own toothbrush, the optimum time to upgrade a dog’s dental tool is very subjective. Many small breed dogs, including Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, and Chihuahuas, are prone to periodontal disease and tooth loss, which makes their dental care even more important. However, you won’t be able to brush their teeth with a giant brush, so look for one specifically made for smaller breeds like this one from Arm & Hammer. As you would expect, the single-head brush is shorter to give you a better grip, and the head is smaller, too, so you can better reach all the nooks and crannies of their mouth where tartar likes to hide. Unlike other options it only comes in one color, so you may need to label it if you have more than one pet.Aim for the outside of each tooth, as well as the gumline where dental disease begins, recommends Barnes.“It is best to start slow. First put some toothpaste on your finger and rub it against a few teeth,” she says.”Once the pet is ok with this, increase the number of teeth you rub.Once the dog is letting you rub all the teeth with your finger, restart with the toothbrush and toothpaste. Brush a couple of teeth the first time and work your way up.” Is toothpaste bad for dogs? Regular brushing is key to maintaining good oral hygiene, says Dr. Klein. “Brushing once a day is ideal, as plaque develops within hours of a meal.Once it becomes part of a dog’s daily routine, many dogs learn to expect it and enjoy it.If daily brushing is not an option, brushing three times a week is the minimum to prevent plaque buildup and tartar accumulation.”

This customer favorite has dual brush heads – one small and one large – for reaching all dog teeth. If you have two dogs of varying sizes, it eliminates the need to buy separate toothbrushes. Both sides are slightly angled, which makes it easier to reach hidden crevices. The bristles are soft (a feature recommended by veterinarians) to prevent gumline damage and make the experience more enjoyable for your dog. Brushing your dog’s teeth is the best thing you can do to prevent dental disease as they get older,” says Dr. Lindon Simon, veterinary surgeon. “It is more important than diet and has much more of an effect than any powder or liquid you can add to their food or water. Brushing their teeth will almost certainly prevent them from needing expensive dental treatments down the line.” Finger brushes are not quite as effective in removing plaque from under the gumline as regular toothbrushes are. Annual dog teeth cleanings are essential. “Professional teeth cleanings are able to clean under the gumline and all surfaces of the teeth – the areas that are difficult to do with just a toothbrush,” says Dr. Ashley Barnes, medical director at Louisville Family Animal Hospital in Louisville, Colorado.”This deep cleaning keeps the gums healthy and helps to prevent periodontal disease.” How We Chose Our Top Dog Toothbrushes

If the war on plastic is as important to you as the war on plaque, you’ll be thrilled by this eco-friendly toothbrush option from PetDentist. To make sure you succeed at brushing your dog’s teeth, follow these suggestions and recommendations: Made from naturally sustainable and biodegradable bamboo, this brush is splinter and waterproof, helping to reduce the billions of plastic toothbrushes which end up in oceans and landfills. Regular brushing prevents the progression of periodontal disease. “Periodontal disease starts as gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums caused by accumulation of plaque, a film that develops after eating meals. When minerals and bacteria start to accumulate on this plaque, tartar develops and further damage to the teeth and tooth roots occur which can lead to pain, infection and loss of teeth,” explains Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club, based in New York City. Avoid using human toothpaste. Human toothpaste contains ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Instead, opt for toothpaste formulated for pets.