How often should we really brush our dog's teeth?

At first my poodles wouldn’t allow me to brush their teeth, and even though the vet was emphatic about the need to brush daily, I only managed a poor brushing once or twice a week. Then at the age of 5, one dog had to have a back tooth removed due to my neglect. I felt terrible, and nearly had a coronary when I learned what doggie dental work and cleaning costs.

So I became determined to find a way
to brush their teeth. Eventually I found that if I sit a dog on the floor in front of where I’m standing & kind of wedge his little butt between my feet, and bend over top of the dog, then I can hold the mouth open with one hand, and use the other to get the teeth brushed without too much trouble. It’s important to keep the dog’s jaw pretty level with the floor, as tilting the head upwards could cause gagging, choking, or aspiration into the lungs. I use a long-handled toothbrush with just a pea-sized dab of toothpaste, but you could also use one of those plastic things that fits over your finger. I also use an oral hygiene rinse after brushing, squirting just a little on each side & rubbing it into the guns with my finger. Apparently this is doing the trick because a veterinary dentist told me that the dogs’ teeth and gums are now amazingly healthy for their ages (they are 13).

Good luck, I hope this technique will work for you!

We have four rotties and we don’t brush their teeth. My oldest is 8 and will be 9 in March what we do is give them sugar cane and their teeth stay clean. We also give them the knuckle of the turkey bones

As someone who has frequently worked for Vets in the past and who had the opportunity to do a dental on a dog while at one of those clinics, I can say that if you have means and ways to have an actual dental done on your pet, then do it. It is worth the cost do have one done periodically to remove all the tarter that most chews, dental toys, or enzyme coated items, cannot get. Dogs, like people, can be one sided in how they chew, so not always are both sides getting the product. So I would suggest that starting with a dental on your dog, then using products like C.E.T. Chlorhexidine Chews or Zimox products in between as preventatives. You don’t have to do the dental every year maybe every couple of years. Stay away from soft chewy treats they will add too much weight to your pet. Quality food and free offered water are good ideas too. The health of the teeth and gums will make sure that other internal organs are kept healthy as well.

I had no luck with tooth brush or finger brush…but when I wrapped a piece of gauze around my finger and placed the toothpaste on it…he allowed me to “rub” his teeth. It is getting better each time I use it