A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
RD.COM Pets & Animals Dogs
By Wendy Rose Gould
Updated: May 09, 2024
Brushing your dog’s teeth shouldn’t be an afterthought. These expert-recommended toothbrushes will help you get the job done easily and keep your pet healthy.
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You brush your teeth every day, but what about your dog’s teeth? Pet parents often make the mistake of neglecting this essential task, and that’s a big problem. “Brushing your dog’s teeth is important for the same reason it is important to brush your own teeth: to remove food particles from the mouth and prevent bacterial buildup that leads to plaque formation and gum disease,” explains Emily Ward, a veterinarian dentist with MedVet and an ambassador for Purrch, a pet-first social media app. Learning how to care for those pearly whites with the best dog toothbrush for the job is a key part of grooming your dog properly, and your precious fluffball is counting on you.
The best dog toothbrush is the one that you feel good about using every day. To help you find the right one, we’ve rounded up top options below, including those recommended by veterinarians and raved about by happy pet parents. Once you’ve chosen the right one for your pup, make sure you also have the best dog grooming tools, dog shampoos and dog nail clippers to keep your pet in tip-top shape. Stock up on dog diapers, too, if your pup is in the middle of potty training.
Shop on Amazon
Shop on Amazon
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Leave it to Arm & Hammer to design one of the best dog toothbrushes out there. It boasts more than 26,400 five-star reviews on Amazon, and the kit comes with a toothbrush, finger brush and toothpaste. The finger brush works well for puppies and small dogs, the dual-handled toothbrush is long enough to reach even those tricky back molars, and the toothpaste boasts natural ingredients, including baking soda and a beef flavor.
Plus, the fact that everything is included with your purchase will make your life easier. One happy Amazon customer raves: “The brush is angled to make it easy to hold [my little dog] gently and lift her lips to access her teeth. The bristles are soft, and the shape of the brush head makes everything easy peasy.”
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Shop on Amazon
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“It can be more difficult to introduce dog toothbrushing in adult dogs,” notes Matthew Lemmons, DVM, a veterinarian with MedVet. For that reason, he recommends starting this process as early as possible. To ensure the experience is more comfortable, you’ll need to use a small dog toothbrush, like this one from Nylabone.
This vet-recommended toothbrush for puppies has soft bristles and an angled neck for easier reach. With more than 6,000 positive reviews on Amazon, this set is a top choice for consumers, too, who also like the included enzymatic toothpaste. Here are more things you need to buy for your new puppy.
Shop on Chewy
Shop on Chewy
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“The finger toothbrush is a favorite for many pet parents since it allows owners to gently get into the back of the dog’s mouth to reach the molars, which tend to build up the most tartar first,” says Dr. Butzer, a veterinarian and spokesperson for Zesty Paws. There are many companies that make finger toothbrushes, but she recommends Vet’s Best Dental Finger Dog Toothbrush.
Sold in a 10-pack, these silicone finger toothbrushes are gentle on gums and have a non-slip design for easier brushing. Note that finger brushes are best for pups that you wholly trust and aren’t likely to bite. By the way, here’s how to stop a puppy from biting, according to dog trainers.
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“Although daily brushing is considered the gold standard of oral care, there are still many other therapies that can be beneficial between professional dental-care visits,” notes Dr. Ward. “These items don’t replace brushing, but they can still make an impact in lowering plaque and calculus deposition and reducing oral inflammation.” And they’re particularly good for dogs that give you a hard time when you attempt to brush their teeth.
If that sounds like your pup, try the M.C.works Pineapple Dog Chew, a pineapple-shaped, non-toxic, natural rubber toy that’ll stand up to even the most aggressive chewers. It’s available in small, large and medium. To keep your chewer happily occupied, pick up these indestructible dog toys.
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Shop on Amazon
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Here’s another excellent option for dogs that are resistant to having you brush their teeth. Made in Japan, it’s worn as a partial glove and it has gentle scrubbing features at the tip of the forefinger and thumb. Just hug the tooth with these two fingers to gently nix food debris and plaque.
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Shop on Amazon
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Big dogs mean more tooth surface area to cover. A petite toothbrush won’t get the job done as efficiently, so opt for a dog toothbrush fit for large breeds. “I love using the doggy toothbrush in the Virbac oral hygiene kit,” says Dr. Butzer. “It has a wide base brush that can easily cover German Shepherds’ large-size molars, or any large breed dog for that matter.” It features a dual end, and the kit also contains chicken-flavored dog toothpaste. Speaking of oversized canines, this is the best large breed dog food you can buy, according to vets.
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Shop on Amazon
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This petite-sized dog toothbrush is perfect for the tiniest of pups, like Chihuahuas, Yorkies and toy Poodles. It features an ergonomic six-inch handle, a small, .57-inch bristle diameter and a unique 360-degree brush head that allows for more efficient and effective cleaning.
Shop on Chewy
Shop on Chewy
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Whether your dog is new to brushing their teeth or still not a fan, try sweetening the deal with these popular dental chews. The chews come in four sizes, extra small through large, and are a great hands-on way to reduce your dog’s plaque without them even knowing it. They can be given daily, and each bag contains 30 chews making it a month’s supply.
Just like humans, not every toothbrush is going to work for every dog. A lot of factors play into finding the perfect toothbrush for your pup—here are a few to consider.
As a lifestyle reporter, I specialize in writing about pets, wellness, travel and more. In addition to Reader’s Digest, my work has been featured in publications like Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple and Insider. I’ve extensively covered topics related to dogs and cats, including long-haired dog breeds and plants that are poisonous to pets.
We also consulted various experts for this article to ensure we’re recommending the best dog toothbrushes. Emily Ward, a veterinarian dentist with MedVet and an ambassador for Purrch, specializes in dentistry for pets. Matthew Lemmons, DVM, a veterinarian with MedVet, provided his expert advice. Lindsay Butzer, DVM, a veterinarian and spokesperson for Zesty Paws, also offered insights into pet care and oral health.
In my experience with pet products, I’ve learned that consulting both experts and fellow dog owners provides the most reliable insights. After gathering recommendations from two veterinarians and a veterinarian dentist, I scoured customer reviews on leading pet retailers like Chewy, Petco and Amazon to identify the best dog toothbrushes according to the buyers themselves. After considering factors like price, intended dog size and brush shape, our search yielded a diverse range of top picks. Interestingly, we discovered that some of the standout choices weren’t traditional toothbrushes at all.
Dr. Ward recommends brushing your dog’s teeth at least once a day to effectively remove the film of oral bacteria that builds up on their teeth. This routine helps prevent gingivitis, which can progress to more serious issues like gum recession, root exposure and jawbone weakening. Untreated dental problems can also increase the risk of your pet developing liver and heart problems.
While they may look similar, you should not use a human toothbrush on a dog. Dog toothbrushes are typically smaller with softer bristles, bearing more resemblance to a human baby toothbrush than an adult one. Using a dog toothbrush is always best.
A dog’s teeth should only be brushed using dog-safe toothpaste. Straight baking soda can cause stomach issues and human toothpaste often contains ingredients that are dangerous for dogs to ingest.
If you’re new to the art of brushing your dog’s teeth, don’t stress. “Just like human offspring, our fur babies often need some practice and routine training to become accustomed to brushing,” says Dr. Butzer. “One way to get your dog used to having their pearly whites scrubbed is the oldest trick in the book: treats!” Stick with an oral-health-oriented treat and you’ll be golden. “Eventually, Fido will come to appreciate not only the treats involved but also the attention and love you put into looking after his oral health,” she adds.
In addition to brushing your dog’s teeth every day, it’s important to have their teeth professionally cleaned somewhat regularly. “The American Veterinary Dentistry College recommends a comprehensive oral health assessment with full-mouth X-rays, dental scaling and polishing at least every 12 months,” says Dr. Ward. “If periodontal disease is present, some pets may need evaluations as often as every six months.”
The bottom line: No matter how fine-tuned your at-home brushings are, the only way to know for sure that your dog is in excellent oral health is to have a vet take a peek every once in a while. Next, check out these other trusted tips to help your pet live longer.
Things Your Dog Wishes You Knew
Pet Products Vets Never Buy
Warning Signs Your Dog Is in Pain
Originally Published: June 14, 2021
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