Last Updated: 15/09/2026
How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth: A Step by Step Guide
Brushing your dog's teeth is the best way to prevent dental disease. Our vet's guide provides a simple step-by-step method, product tips, and advice for tricky dogs. Learn how to make dental care a positive routine for you and your pet.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 6 minutes - short read
Let's be honest, the thought of brushing your dog's teeth can seem... ambitious. Wrestling match, slobber everywhere, toothbrush as chew toy. We get it.
Here's the good news: it doesn't have to be that way. Regular brushing is the single best thing you can do to prevent painful dental disease (and that not-so-lovely doggy breath). This guide covers exactly how, with practical, vet-approved steps.
Why does brushing your dog's teeth matter?
Dental disease affects a huge number of Australian dogs, and daily brushing is the gold-standard way to prevent it. We cover the causes, risks, and warning signs in full in our Dental Care for Dogs. This article is all about how to actually get brushing done.
What do you need to get started?
Just a toothbrush and toothpaste made specifically for dogs.
- Toothbrush: a handheld brush with a modified head, or a finger brush. Use whichever your dog tolerates best, sized to suit their mouth.
- Toothpaste: always pet-specific (never human, see our FAQ below on why). Flavours like poultry, mint, and vanilla help make brushing more enjoyable. See our vet team's picks in our Best Dog Toothpaste guide.
How do you brush your dog's teeth, step by step?
Go slowly, and only move to the next step once your dog is relaxed with the one before it.
- Get them used to handling. Separately from brushing, rub your dog's muzzle, lift their lips, and reward with praise and treats.
- Introduce the toothpaste. Let your dog lick a small amount off your finger, or dab a tiny bit on their nose if they're hesitant.
- Practice with your finger. Rub a few teeth and the gumline with a soft cotton tip, dipped in bone broth or wet food to start, then toothpaste.
- Bring in the toothbrush. Start with a finger brush or soft-bristled brush, again starting with broth or wet food before toothpaste.
- Make it a daily habit. Lift the lip gently (no need to prise the mouth open) and brush in small circles along the outer surface and gumline. Focus on the canine (fang) teeth and back molars, where plaque builds up fastest, building to around 30 seconds per side.
What if my dog hates having their teeth brushed?
In clinic, we are asked this question a lot. Most owners give up right at the "toothbrush in mouth" stage, when the real trick is spending longer than expected on the earlier steps. Never had their teeth touched before? Skip the brush at first: just touch their muzzle and lips for a few seconds a day, for about a week, before toothpaste comes into it at all. Realistically, most dogs take two to four weeks of short daily sessions to go from "won't tolerate it" to accepting a full brush. Genuinely resistant or previously mishandled dogs can take a couple of months, and that's normal too. Tensing, pulling away, or repeated lip-licking is your cue to stop and go back a step, not push through. Never restrain a dog to force it, as that tends to make things worse long-term. Real fear or aggression around the mouth means stop and talk to your vet, as dental pain can be the underlying cause.
What else can I do to support my dog's dental health?
Brushing is the gold standard, but dental chews, water additives, and dental diets can help alongside it.
See our Best Dental Chews for Dogs guide for our vet team's picks, and learn whether Diet Can Improve Your Pet's Dental Health.
Alternate Dental Care Products
When should I see the vet about your dog's teeth?
Home care doesn't replace professional checks. Healthy adult dogs need an annual dental check-up; senior dogs, or those with a history of dental disease, need one every 6 months. Book a visit if you notice fishy breath, stained teeth, or red or bleeding gums.
If your dog already has gingivitis or heavy tartar, brushing won't fix it. They'll need a professional scale and polish under anaesthesia. Be wary of "anaesthesia-free" dental services: they're cosmetic only and aren't a substitute for a proper vet dental.
FAQs
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue 18 Aug 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
