Brushing Your Dog's Teeth: The Step-by-Step Guide That Actually Works

Dental disease affects 80% of dogs by age three. Daily brushing is the single most effective prevention — but most dogs resist it because it was introduced wrong.

Here's how to do it correctly:

Week 1 — Finger only.  No brush, no paste. Let your dog sniff and lick your finger. Gently rub the outside of the teeth for 10 seconds. Stop. Reward.

Week 2 — Add toothpaste.  Use a dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste (never human). Let them lick it off your finger first.

Week 3 — Introduce the brush.  Soft bristle toothbrush, angled at 45 degrees to the gumline. Outside surfaces only. 30 seconds per side.

Week 4 onwards — Full routine.  2 minutes, same time every day. Before bed works best.

Track progress with a Doctapet Dental Scan — a baseline score makes improvement visible and keeps you consistent.