So to make things easier on us self-appointed doggy dentists, GingerUp has devised this ingenious soft silicone toothbrush, offering both flexibility and smooth action in one product. Includes 2 dual-sided toothbrushes and 10 finger brushes to comfortably clean dogs' mouths and reduce bad breath, germs and plaque. Made from naturally sustainable and biodegradable bamboo, this brush is splinter and waterproof, helping to reduce the billions of plastic toothbrushes which end up in oceans and landfills. Trying to use a large brush in a small breed’s mouth is going to cause more damage while brushing your giant breed’s teeth with a small brush isn’t going to be very effective at all. The Length Matters Too Take your dog in for annual professional cleanings. A veterinary professional can perform a dental examination, treat any issues, and clean areas that are not as easily accessible with a toothbrush. Brushing a dog’s teeth helps prevent periodontal disease, but it can’t treat it if it’s already formed.

While regular brushing is the best way to combat plaque and tartar buildup, other pet dental products like dental chews, oral rinses, and special diets can help keep a dog’s mouth, teeth, and gums healthy between professional cleanings. Professional Cleanings Are Important Brushing a pup’s teeth is never an easy task, which makes finding a fantastic quality dog toothbrush that does all the heavy lifting for you all the more important!

Choosing a Toothbrush for Your Dog

Two heads are always better than one, even when it comes to brushing teeth. They usually have a small head one end of the brush and a larger one on the other side and lets you switch between molars and incisors like an award-winning baton-twirler. Double-Headed Toothbrushes: Make sure that your furry friend's teeth stay strong and healthy with the Beaphar Finger Toothbrush. This brush fits comfortably over your finger and is specially designed to suit the shape of your dog's teeth. The handy soft grip makes sure the brush does not slip through your hands when brushing and the soft and flexible bristles provide optimal protection for the gums.

In case you didn’t know, having a million-dollar smile isn’t only important to us humans! Our mutts love dazzling gnashers and a fresh breath too. Just like we need to keep our teeth healthy and cavity-free, we should be giving our dog’s teeth just as much attention, if not more. It’s not as though they can get a set of false teeth when theirs fall out. Try to avoid brushing when they are actively teething, as they may then associate brushing with pain,” says Simon. “Those who are teething may have red gums, bad breath, and a dislike of their mouth being touched.” No matter how intelligent or self-sufficient your dog is, he’s not going to be brushing his own teeth, you are. The handle of the brush should be long enough that you don’t have to get your hand too deep into his mouth unless you’re using a finger toothbrush. Soft is Better Than Hard Many small breed dogs, including Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, and Chihuahuas, are prone to periodontal disease and tooth loss, which makes their dental care even more important. However, you won’t be able to brush their teeth with a giant brush, so look for one specifically made for smaller breeds like this one from Arm & Hammer. As you would expect, the single-head brush is shorter to give you a better grip, and the head is smaller, too, so you can better reach all the nooks and crannies of their mouth where tartar likes to hide. Unlike other options it only comes in one color, so you may need to label it if you have more than one pet.

Best Dog Toothbrushes: Our Recommendations

It’s made by Vetoquinol, a family-ownedcompanyfounded in 1933. They partner with veterinarians and animal health professionals to create a line of pet health care products. The 360 Pet Finger Toothbrush from Jasper is made out of BPA-free silicone that's safe, effective, and soft. When you’re shopping for a dog’s toothbrush, you don’t necessarily need anything too fancy—though you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing a brush that’s the right size for your dog. “Due to the size of their jaw, most pets need a smaller brush,” says Dr. Simon. “Smaller breeds like Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus may benefit from small ‘finger’ brushes which are rubber tubes with bristles placed on the outside of your finger.” You won’t want to try a finger brush with a dog you don’t trust to not bite you, though.

For a convenient all-in-one option, Vet's Best Dental Care Finger Wipes for Cats & Dogs fit over a finger and are pre-soaked in pet-safe toothpaste solution. The lightly textured wipes provide gentle scrubbing power to freshen breath and help clear plague. No additional water is needed for use—making the Dental Care Finger Wipes an excellent option for travel—and the toothpaste contains a combination of grapefruit seed extract, green tea extract, spearmint oil, and thyme oil.Meanwhile, the included toothpaste has a poultry flavor to appeal to your pet (if your pet doesn’t like it, the brand does offer other flavors sold separately). The toothpaste formula is made with a strong enzyme system and is more abrasive than other options, so it effectively cleans your dog or cat’s teeth and freshens their breath. While it is a bit pricier than other options on this list, we love that it comes with everything you need to keep your dog’s mouth clean and healthy. If you want to give your brush a proper cleanse though, you can sanitise it with a white vinegar and water solution. Combining equal parts H2O and vinegar, immerse your brush into the mixture for half an hour, then rinse thoroughly with water. Aim for the outside of each tooth, as well as the gumline where dental disease begins, recommends Barnes.“It is best to start slow. First put some toothpaste on your finger and rub it against a few teeth,” she says.”Once the pet is ok with this, increase the number of teeth you rub.Once the dog is letting you rub all the teeth with your finger, restart with the toothbrush and toothpaste. Brush a couple of teeth the first time and work your way up.” Is toothpaste bad for dogs?