Dog dental care: brushing and professional cleaning

Dental disease affects more than 80% of dogs over age 3, yet it is almost entirely preventable. It causes chronic pain, tooth loss, and — when bacteria enter the bloodstream through infected gums — can damage the heart, kidneys, and liver.

Daily brushing: the gold standard

Brushing your dog''s teeth daily is by far the most effective thing you can do. Start early — puppies that are introduced to tooth brushing tend to tolerate it well as adults.

- Use a dog-specific enzymatic toothpaste (chicken, beef, or vanilla flavour). Never use human toothpaste — xylitol and fluoride are toxic to dogs.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush angled at 45° to the gum line, using small circular motions.
- If your dog won''t accept a brush, finger brushes work well for small dogs.
- Aim for 30 seconds per side — back teeth are most important.

Alternatives when brushing isn''t possible

- Dental chews (VOHC-approved products): proven to reduce plaque and tartar by 20–30% with daily use
- Dental water additives: add to the water bowl daily — some evidence of benefit
- Raw meaty bones: natural abrasive action — effective but carry risks of fractures, bacterial contamination, and choking; discuss with your vet
- Dental diets: prescription dental kibble with large, fibrous pieces that wipe the tooth surface

These all help but do not fully substitute for brushing.

Professional scaling

Even with home care, most dogs need a professional dental scale every 1–3 years. This requires general anaesthesia, during which the vet or veterinary dentist:
1. Removes tartar above and below the gum line with ultrasonic scalers
2. Probes each tooth for pockets (bone loss around the root)
3. Extracts teeth that are painful, mobile, or too diseased to save
4. Polishes all surfaces to slow future plaque attachment

"Anaesthesia-free" dental scaling, offered by some groomers, is a cosmetic procedure only — it cannot clean below the gum line where disease lives.

Use Flovvi to track dental cleanings and set a reminder 12–18 months after each professional scale.