How to Clean Your Dog’s Teeth

Plaque vs. Tartar: Understanding the Difference

Dental disease begins with plaque — a soft, sticky film of bacteria and food debris that coats the teeth after eating. Plaque starts forming within hours and, if not removed daily, it hardens into tartar (also known as calculus).

Tartar is rough, porous, and traps more bacteria. Once it forms, it cannot be removed with brushing, wiping or chews — only a professional veterinary dental clean can remove it. This is why prevention is so important. The goal is to remove plaque before it can harden into tartar.

Preventative Dental Care

Removing plaque and preventing tartar comes down to one essential principle: mechanical cleaning. That means physically removing plaque from your dog’s teeth every day using brushing, wipes, or both.

The Core of Mechanical Cleaning

Brushing is the most effective way to remove plaque. A soft-bristled toothbrush (a children’s brush or a pet-specific brush) and water are all you need. Dog-safe toothpastes can have mild antibacterial effects and can make the process more tasty, but it’s the brushing motion that matters.

Never use human toothpaste — many contain xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs.

Dental wipes are another excellent option for mechanical cleaning. Gently rubbing the teeth and gums with a wipe removes soft plaque and food debris. Wipes are perfect for:

• Dogs that are new to dental care
• Dogs that dislike toothbrushes
• Quick, easy cleaning between brush sessions

Used daily, brushing and wiping offer the most effective plaque control and are the best way to prevent dental disease from developing.

Dental Chews — Helpful, But Not a Substitute

Dental chews can assist in reducing soft plaque and stimulating saliva, which can help lessen bacterial load. Choose veterinary-approved chews for more reliable benefits. They can be a useful addition to your dog’s dental routine but should always be used alongside brushing or wipes, not instead of them. 

Dental chews are a common cause of oral and oesphageal obstructions, so always supervise your dog and choose a chew that is appropriate for your dog’s age and size.

Chews can also increase daily calorie intake, resulting in potential weight gain. So always use in moderation and adjust their daily meals accordingly - your vet can assist with this. 

Why Starting Early Matters

Plaque begins forming in puppies as soon as their adult teeth come through. Familiarising your puppy with gentle at home oral examinations and touching of the teeth in a positive way will help them become comfortable with brushing and handling. Daily teeth cleaning from a young age prevents the first tartar deposits and dramatically reduces the risk of dental disease later in life.

For adult dogs, it’s never too late to start. Just begin slowly and make the experience positive. If tartar is already present, they’ll need a professional clean first. Then you can start daily cleaning to prevent further tartar build-up. 

Professional Veterinary Dental Cleaning 

Once tartar has formed, professional veterinary cleaning is the only way to remove it.

During this procedure, your vet will:

1. Perform a full oral examination, including beneath the gumline where most disease occurs. Dental x-rays may also be taken.
2. Check for gum inflammation, loose teeth, or infection.
3. Extract diseased teeth if necessary.
4. Use ultrasonic and hand instruments to remove all tartar and plaque.
5. Polish the teeth to smooth the enamel and reduce future plaque build-up.

These procedures are performed under general anaesthesia for safety, comfort, and thorough cleaning — something that cannot be achieved in a conscious pet. Pre-anaesthetic blood tests are recommended to screen for underlying health conditions to determine the risk of anaesthesia for your dog.

A professional clean provides a fresh start. Afterwards, daily teeth cleaning at home prevents tartar from recurring with the focus on long-term oral hygiene and health. 

The Ideal Dental Care Plan

1. Start early — begin brushing or wiping before tartar forms.
2. Maintain daily mechanical cleaning — brushing or wipes (ideally both). A great time to do this is after dinner, as part of your pet’s bedtime routine.
3. If you like, use dental chews as support, not replacement. Always supervise your pet when eating chews as obstructions can sometimes occur. 
4. Schedule veterinary dental check-ups — typically every 6-12 months. Be guided by your vet as to when professional dental cleans are required.
5. Plan for the future - anaesthesia can carry more risk as your dog becomes a geriatric, so daily teeth cleaning from a younger age will reduce the likelihood of them requiring dental procedures as an elderly pet.

The combination of tartar prevention at home, plus professional dental care provides the best protection for your dog’s teeth, gums, and overall health.

The Tooth of the Matter

Dental disease is preventable. But timing is everything. 

Start cleaning early, before tartar has a chance to form. Maintain daily brushing or wiping to remove plaque. And when tartar does appear, professional veterinary cleaning is essential to restore oral health and comfort.

With a consistent daily routine, you can protect your dog from pain, infection, systemic disease and preventable procedures. Plus they’ll have fresher breath too!