How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth at Home, Step by Step

Updated October 27, 2026

This guide is for dog owners who want to start brushing their dog's teeth at home, or who tried once and got a face full of clamped jaw. It covers how often to brush, why human toothpaste is off the table, whether a finger brush, plain water, baking soda or coconut oil will do, how to get your dog used to brushing one small step at a time, and which signs mean your dog needs a vet rather than a toothbrush.

The short answer: Brush once a day if you can, and at least several times a week, using a soft dog toothbrush or finger brush and a toothpaste made for pets. Never use human toothpaste, since it can contain xylitol or fluoride. Build up slowly over a week or two: touch the lips, then the teeth, then let your dog taste the paste, then brush a few outer teeth for a few seconds and reward. If your dog's gums are red, bleeding or sore, or a tooth is loose, see your vet before you brush.

How we wrote this: the advice comes from the veterinary and animal welfare sources linked in the text. Product mentions use brand specs and named, linked reviews. We have not tested these products ourselves, and this page has no affiliate links.

Why brushing matters

Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs. The AVMA says most pets show early signs of periodontal disease by age 3, and it gets worse with age if nothing is done. It starts with plaque, a soft film of bacteria that hardens into tartar. Tartar above the gumline is easy to see, but the damage that matters happens below it, where it can lead to infection and bone loss around the tooth roots.

The AVMA calls regular brushing the single most effective thing you can do at home to keep your dog's teeth healthy between cleanings. The Cornell Riney Canine Health Center agrees that brushing is the most effective home care for preventing dental disease.

One thing brushing cannot do: remove tartar that is already there. The AAHA Dental Care Guidelines state plainly that brushing removes plaque, not calculus (tartar), and that even daily brushing does not replace exams and cleanings under anesthesia. Think of brushing as prevention, not a cure.

How often should you brush your dog's teeth?

Daily is the target. AAHA says brushing needs to be done daily to be of benefit, and the AKC notes that plaque starts to build up within two or three days. If daily is not realistic, the AVMA says brushing several times a week can still be effective, and VCA Animal Hospitals puts the minimum at three times a week. PetMD adds a useful reality check: every other day can help, but brushing less often than that makes little to no difference.

The easiest way to hit daily is to tie it to something you already do, like the evening walk or your own bedtime routine. Short and consistent beats long and occasional.

What you need

A soft brush or a finger brush

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush made for dogs. AAHA recommends a pet toothbrush with soft bristles that will not irritate the gums. VCA lists several styles that work: angled handles, brushes with more than one head, small brushes that fit your hand, and finger toothbrushes.

Can you brush your dog's teeth with your finger? Yes, as a starting point. VCA suggests beginning by rubbing a finger or a soft cloth over the outer surfaces of the teeth, and PetMD suggests a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger or a dental wipe to mimic the motion of a brush. A rubber finger brush is a good next step for small dogs or nervous dogs. Bristles reach into the gumline better than a bare finger, so move to a real brush once your dog accepts it, and keep your fingers clear of the back teeth if your dog tends to chomp.

Pet toothpaste, not yours

Dog toothpaste comes in flavors dogs like (poultry, beef, malt) and is made to be swallowed, since your dog cannot rinse and spit. Many contain enzymes. More on why human toothpaste is a problem below.

Can you brush your dog's teeth with human toothpaste?

No. There are two separate problems.

Xylitol. Some human toothpastes and other dental products contain xylitol, a sweetener that is dangerous to dogs. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center explains that in dogs xylitol triggers a sudden release of insulin, which drops blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and it can also damage the liver. Affected dogs often vomit and become weak or lethargic, and some have seizures.

Fluoride and foaming agents. Even a xylitol-free paste is not meant to be swallowed. The AKC and PetMD both name fluoride as a harmful ingredient for dogs, and VCA notes that human toothpastes contain ingredients that should not be swallowed. AAHA's guidance is simply never to use human toothpaste on pets.

If your dog eats human toothpaste, gum or another product that may contain xylitol, act right away. The ASPCA says: if your dog is acting normal, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435; if your dog is already vomiting, weak or having seizures, go to a vet immediately.

Can you brush your dog's teeth without toothpaste?

Yes. The scrubbing is what removes plaque, not the paste. PetMD says that if your dog accepts the brush but hates the toothpaste, skip the paste, because the mechanical action of brushing on its own still helps. A brush dampened with water is fine. Paste mainly makes the session taste better to your dog, which helps a lot when you are building a habit.

Baking soda or coconut oil: do they work?

Baking soda

Skip it. VCA warns that baking soda is highly alkaline and, if swallowed, can upset the acid balance in the stomach and digestive tract. Dogs swallow whatever you put in their mouth, so this is a real concern, and it tastes bad enough to make brushing harder to teach.

Coconut oil

There is no good evidence it helps. PetMD lists the claim that coconut oil breaks down tartar and prevents periodontal disease among claims that lack credible studies, even in people. It also says regular use in dogs is not recommended because of the risk of weight gain and pancreatitis. If your dog loves the taste and your vet has no concern, a tiny smear as a reward is a different matter from using it as a dental treatment. The brushing does the work either way.

How to get your dog used to tooth brushing

Most dogs can learn to accept brushing if you go slowly. VCA describes the method as desensitization and counterconditioning: break the process into tiny steps and pair each one with something your dog likes. Puppies learn fastest, but adult dogs can learn too. Spend a few days on each step, and move on only when your dog is relaxed.

1. Handle the muzzle. Sit beside your dog at a calm time of day. Gently touch the muzzle and lips for a second or two, then reward. Repeat a few times a day.
2. Lift the lip and touch the teeth. Lift the upper lip on one side and rub a finger along the outer teeth and gums for a few seconds. Reward and stop while your dog is still calm.
3. Introduce the toothpaste. Let your dog lick a little pet toothpaste off your finger, as the AKC suggests. Then rub some on the teeth with your finger or a gauze-wrapped finger.
4. Introduce the brush. Let your dog sniff and lick the brush with paste on it. Then simply touch it to a few teeth without scrubbing.
5. Brush a few teeth. Hold the brush at the gumline and use small circles on the outer surfaces. Start with the big cheek teeth and the canines, where VCA says plaque and tartar build up fastest. A few seconds is enough at first.
6. Build up time. Add more teeth over the following days until you cover the whole outer surface of both sides. VCA suggests working toward about 30 seconds per side. Do the top teeth, then the bottom.
7. End on a win. Finish with praise, play or a walk, so your dog links brushing with good things.

You do not need to scrub the inner surfaces. VCA notes that the tongue clears plaque from the insides of the teeth, so focus on the outer surfaces unless your dog is very cooperative. If your dog pulls away, go back a step and stay there longer.

Signs your dog needs a vet, not just a toothbrush

Look at your dog's mouth every time you brush. The AVMA and Cornell list these signs as reasons to contact your vet:

• Bad breath that does not go away
• Red, swollen or bleeding gums, or bleeding from the mouth
• Broken or loose teeth
• Brown or discolored teeth, or visible tartar
• Drooling, dropping food, abnormal chewing or a reduced appetite
• Swelling around the mouth or face

Do not try to brush through sore gums. AAHA warns that brushing teeth with already inflamed gums causes pain and can make your dog avoid brushing. A dog in mouth pain may also bite, so handle the mouth gently and see your vet first. The AVMA recommends a vet check of the teeth and gums at least once a year either way.

What the VOHC seal means

Lots of dental products make claims. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) reviews data submitted by manufacturers and awards its Seal of Acceptance to products that meet its standards for controlling plaque, tartar (calculus), or both. The council is made up of veterinary dentists and dental scientists. AAHA supports the VOHC's methods and points owners to its accepted products list. When you choose a chew, wipe, water additive or diet as a backup to brushing, the VOHC seal is a quick way to see which ones have shown results. It does not replace brushing, which PetMD calls the gold standard.

Our picks

Vetoquinol Enzadent Toothbrush and Toothpaste Kit, Poultry

Sources: specs, Vetstreet

A good all-in-one start if you have nothing yet: it includes a dual-ended toothbrush with a large and a small soft-bristled head, a finger brush, and a 3.2 oz tube of poultry-flavored enzymatic toothpaste. The brand says the paste is non-foaming, can be safely swallowed and does not need rinsing. The finger brush makes it handy for the early training steps. Ask your vet before using a new care product if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.

Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste, Poultry Flavor

Sources: specs, Vetstreet

A refill or upgrade paste if you already have a brush. The label says it is formulated to inhibit plaque formation and help eliminate mouth odors, and it contains no foaming agents, so dogs can swallow it. Virbac describes it as a dual enzyme system that needs no rinsing. Ask your vet before using a new care product if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.

Mistakes to avoid

• Using human toothpaste, baking soda or mouthwash.
• Trying to brush the whole mouth on day one. Short, good sessions build the habit.
• Brushing hard or with stiff bristles, which hurts the gums.
• Brushing over red or bleeding gums instead of booking a vet visit.
• Expecting brushing to remove existing tartar. Only a professional cleaning does that.
• Sharing one brush between pets.

Tooth brushing fits well into the rest of your routine: do it after a nail trim or a brush-out, when your dog is already settled and used to being handled.

FAQ

How often should I brush my dog's teeth?

Once a day is best. If that is not possible, aim for at least three times a week; brushing less than every other day does little for dental health.

Can I use human toothpaste on my dog?

No. Human toothpaste may contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs, and fluoride and foaming agents that are not meant to be swallowed. Use a toothpaste made for pets.

Can I brush my dog's teeth with just water?

Yes. The brushing action removes plaque, so a damp brush still helps. Pet toothpaste mainly makes it taste better to your dog.

Is a finger brush as good as a toothbrush?

A finger brush or gauze-wrapped finger is great for getting started and for small mouths. A soft-bristled brush usually cleans the gumline better, so switch once your dog is comfortable.

Does coconut oil clean dog teeth?

There is no credible evidence that it does, and PetMD says regular use in dogs is not recommended. Brushing with pet toothpaste or water is what works.

Can brushing remove tartar?

No. Brushing removes soft plaque before it hardens. Tartar that is already there needs a professional cleaning by your vet.

For more step-by-step grooming help, browse all our grooming guides.