Why daily dental care matters for dogs (and why occasional care does not)

Ask a vet what they see most often in the consulting room and dental problems are near the top of the list; the usual figure quoted is that most dogs show some sign of them by the age of three. That is not because dogs have bad teeth. It is because almost nobody brushes them, and the mouth does not wait.

What happens in a dog's mouth every day

Within hours of a meal, a soft film called plaque forms on the teeth. While it is soft it is easy to disrupt with a brush. Left alone, minerals in saliva harden it into tartar within a few days, and tartar cannot be brushed off; it has to be removed professionally by a vet. Tartar along the gum line irritates the gums, the gums become sore, and from there the problems that vets spend their days on begin. The whole sequence starts with plaque that nobody disturbed.

Why occasional care does not work

A brush once a fortnight meets plaque that hardened ten days earlier. A dental chew on a Sunday does nothing for the plaque that formed on Monday. Because the window is measured in days, the only routine that stays ahead of it is a daily one. The good news is that a daily routine is tiny: thirty seconds on the outer surfaces of the teeth, and your dog is done.

What daily brushing does

Brushing the outer surfaces at a 45-degree angle to the gum line with a soft brush and a pet toothpaste disrupts plaque while it is still soft. That is all it does, and it is enough. Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste is VOHC Accepted for plaque control in dogs, an independent credential from the Veterinary Oral Health Council rather than a marketing phrase, and it is made to be swallowed, so there is no rinsing and no waiting.

What daily brushing does not do

It does not shift tartar that has already hardened, it does not repair a tooth, and it is not a substitute for a vet. Petdentist® products are non-medicinal daily-care products and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition. If your dog already has brown deposits on the back teeth, red or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath or a tooth that looks wrong, the sequence is vet first, then daily brushing to keep the clean mouth clean.

The cost of waiting

A professional clean under anaesthetic is routine but not cheap, and dogs that are never brushed tend to need them repeatedly. A tube of pet toothpaste lasts one to two months and a soft brush three. Daily care is not only kinder; over a dog's life it is a great deal less expensive than the alternative.

Making it daily

• Attach it to something that already happens every day: after the evening walk, before dinner.
• Start with taste only for three days, then a finger, then a brush. Dogs that are rushed resist; dogs that are eased in accept.
• Keep every session under a minute and stop while your dog is calm.
• Use the right brush: a compact bamboo brush for small dogs, a long-handled brush for big ones.
• Add a weekly look inside the mouth, so you notice change early.
• Book a vet check once a year.

Not sure where to start with your particular dog? Tell us about your pet and we will point you to the right brush, flavour and routine.

Questions people ask

Is it really necessary to brush every day?

Daily is the goal because plaque hardens within days. Several times a week still helps a great deal; once a month does not.

Do small dogs need more dental care than big dogs?

Small and flat-faced breeds tend to have crowded teeth and show problems earlier, so they benefit most from a daily routine, but every dog builds plaque at the same rate.

Can I start brushing an older dog?

Yes. Have your vet check the mouth first so that any set tartar is dealt with, then begin the same gradual steps. Older dogs usually need a few extra weeks of patience.

Read next: Caring for your dog's teeth at home, 5 common dental problems in dogs, The ultimate guide to pet oral health.

About the author. Dr Deepak Songra BDS (GDC 68552) is a dental surgeon with more than 35 years in clinical practice and the founder of Petdentist®. He is not a vet. He lives with Merlo, the Cavapoo you will see across this site.

This article is general information about daily care, not veterinary advice. Petdentist® products are non-medicinal daily-care products for dogs and cats and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are worried about your pet, please see your vet. Petdentist® is the trading name of Pet Dentist L.L.C-FZ, Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, UAE. UK orders are dispatched from Northampton.