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Here we will explain the importance of brushing your dog's teeth, how to brush your dog's teeth to keep them healthy, and other important points to know. (Last updated: June 6, 2024)
table of contents
- Brushing your dog's teeth is important to prevent periodontal disease!
- How often should you brush your dog's teeth?
- Before you start brushing your teeth, it is important to get your child used to having their mouth touched.
- [By level] Dental care and tooth brushing methods for dogs
- Points to know when brushing your dog's teeth
- Make tooth brushing a habit to prevent your dog from periodontal disease.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Dog teeth brushing Q&A

Supervision
3-918-9 Mukuya, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Graduated from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University. He is a part-time lecturer at the Renaissance Pet Academy, a vocational school, and a lecturer at the Japan Pet Massage Association and the Pet Medicinal Food International Association. Participated in rescue activities for animals affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition to general Western medicine, work on animal health through acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, Chinese medicine, pet massage, etc.
1Brushing your dog's teeth is important to prevent periodontal disease!
Brushing your dog's teeth is very important in preventing bad breath and periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is a disease caused by plaque that accumulates on the teeth and hardened tartar, resulting in gingivitis and periodontitis.. If periodontal disease is left untreated, the gums and alveolar bone will dissolve and the teeth will fall out.
In addition, if periodontal bacteria spread throughout the body, it can cause abnormalities in organs such as the kidneys, liver, and heart, as well as cause diseases in the joints and bone marrow. Keeping your dog's oral cavity healthy and preventing periodontal disease also helps protect the health of your dog's entire body.
In humans, the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic diseases has become widely known, and the importance of "professional care" provided by dental hygienists and "self-care" through daily tooth brushing has come into focus. However, unlike humans, dogs cannot go to the dentist or brush their own teeth. In addition, a dog's oral cavity is alkaline, making it an environment where periodontal disease bacteria can breed more easily than humans, who have an acidic oral cavity.
For these reasons,It is said that more than 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have periodontal disease or are in danger of developing periodontal disease.。
Therefore, dental care habits by the owner are important to keep the dog's oral cavity healthy.
Do puppies need to have their teeth brushed?
The risk of periodontal disease increases with age, but it can also develop at a young age, so it's not safe just because your dog is a puppy.Getting your dog used to having their teeth brushed from an early age not only reduces the risk of periodontal disease, but also helps extend their healthy lifespan.。
Periodontal disease is a disease that is difficult to cure once it develops. Start proper dental care as soon as possible to prevent periodontal disease.
2How often should you brush your dog's teeth?
When dirt on your dog's teeth turns into plaque, it will calcify and become tartar in just 2-3 days. Tartar once formed cannot be removed by brushing, so it can only be removed at a veterinary clinic. Therefore, to prevent tartar from forming, it is necessary to brush your dog's teeth every day, or at least once every three days.
Ideally, brushing your teeth should be a daily habit.It's difficult to brush teeth for long periods of time if your child doesn't like it, so try to brush the entire area over a period of 3 days, and do it little by little each day.。
3Before you start brushing your teeth, it is important to get your child used to having their mouth touched.

If you suddenly put your hand or toothbrush in your dog's mouth, he will be surprised and will not like having his mouth touched or brushing his teeth. If this happens, it will be difficult to brush your teeth the next time, and you may not be able to properly care for your teeth.
Therefore, before you start brushing your dog's teeth, get your dog used to having his mouth and teeth touched.To help your dog relax, playfully interact with him, petting and touching him, gradually increasing the amount of time you touch his mouth.If your child doesn't mind you touching them gently around the mouth, gently lift their lip and touch their teeth, gums, and back teeth with the pads of your fingers. If your child is afraid of being touched from the front, try touching them from the side or in front of their ear.
It is also important to get your child used to the toothbrush. Let them smell the toothbrush and play with it so they know it is not dangerous. Once they get used to it, try touching the outside of their mouth with the toothbrush or lifting their lips to touch their teeth and gums.
4[By level] Dental care and tooth brushing methods for dogs
If it's your first time brushing your dog's teeth, or if you've tried it in the past and it didn't like it, it's a good idea to transition from using other dental care products to brushing your dog's teeth.
Here, we will explain how to take care of your teeth at different levels so that you can finally brush your teeth.
[Level 1] Use dental snacks

Dental snacks such as toothpaste gum are the easiest way to start dental care.。
By chewing, dental treats can get between your dog's teeth and remove plaque, as well as clean the mouth and reduce bad breath. In addition to variations in hardness and size, there are many different types, such as those containing lactic acid bacteria for immune support and those that are grain-free and considerate of allergies, so please choose one that suits your dog's age and preferences. It may also be a good idea to give dental treats as a snack after each meal.
However, dental treats alone cannot clean the entire mouth. Make sure to brush your pet's teeth and take care of your pet's teeth at the same time. Also, depending on your pet's eating habits, it may choke on the treats. Do not leave the treats lying around, but keep them within your reach.
[Level 2] Use dental toys

Next, let's try a toy that can provide dental care.
Many dental snacks are low in calories, but if you give them too much, you may need to adjust the food. On the other hand, dental toys allow children to take care of their teeth just by having fun playing with them, so even children who are not good at brushing their teeth can try it without stress.
However, just like dental treats, dental toys are supplementary items that help control plaque and reduce the time it takes to brush your teeth every day. Make sure to incorporate dental care into your child's daily brushing routine.
[Level 3] Brush your teeth using a toothbrush or toothpaste sheet

After dental snacks and dental toys, it's finally time to brush your teeth.
If you are worried about using a toothbrush all of a sudden, you can start with a toothpaste sheet that you wrap around your finger.Because owners can touch their pet's teeth directly with their fingers to remove dirt, pets can brush their teeth without being afraid of toothbrushes.
Below, we will explain how to brush your teeth with a toothbrush or toothpaste in 3 steps.
・Step 1: Brush from the canine teeth

Start brushing with the largest and strongest canine teeth.This makes it easy for owners to brush their pet's teeth and doesn't put much strain on the pet. Adult dogs may dislike having their front teeth brushed, as periodontal disease is more likely to progress there, so it's best to gradually get your pet used to it.
・Step 2: Brush your back teeth

While holding your chin, turn your upper lip and brush your back teeth little by little.The fourth premolars in the upper jaw (the back teeth that appear to be connected) are particularly susceptible to plaque and tartar buildup.Therefore, be careful when polishing.
Don't forget to brush your lower first molars (the smallest teeth at the back), which are hidden behind the fourth premolar teeth in your upper jaw.
・Step 3: Brush the inside of your teeth

While gently lifting your upper jaw, use the hand holding your toothbrush to hold your lower jaw and open your mouth. Brush the back side of your upper teeth.
After brushing from the front to the back, continue brushing the lower teeth.When brushing between your teeth and gums, gently place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle., and scrape out the dirt.
5Points to know when brushing your dog's teeth
If your dog develops the impression that tooth brushing is scary or painful even once, he will start to dislike having his teeth brushed.
Here are four things you should know to make sure your dog doesn't dislike having their teeth brushed.
Praise your child when they finish brushing their teeth
If your dog manages to brush its teeth well, even if it takes only a short time, praise it. It is also effective to give it a treat such as toothpaste. "If you are a good boy and brush your teeth, you will be praised by your owner" or "You will get your favorite treat!"By associating positive images with tooth brushing, you can reduce your dog's resistance to tooth brushing.。
Don't brush your teeth too hard
When brushing your dog's teeth, gently brush with about 1/10th the force you would use to brush your own teeth.. You should focus on brushing the back teeth and between the teeth and gums, as they tend to get dirty easily, but many dogs may be reluctant to do this at first.
If you brush your dog's teeth too hard even though he doesn't like it, it will be more difficult to brush them the next time and it may even lead to gum recession. We recommend brushing different areas of the teeth depending on the day, such as the right side today and the left side tomorrow, and shortening the time spent brushing each day.
use a dog toothbrush
Make sure to brush your dog's teeth with a toothbrush designed for dogs.
Even if it is a toothbrush for children, if the head size or bristles hardness of the human toothbrush are not suitable for them, they may dislike having their teeth brushed.
If tartar builds up on your teeth, have them treated at a veterinary hospital.
It is best to take care of your teeth at home before tartar builds up, but tartar may build up on areas that have not been polished or are difficult to brush. If you notice tartar on your dog's teeth, have it removed at a veterinary clinic.
Also,If your dog doesn't like brushing his teeth no matter how hard you try, don't force him to do so and take him to a veterinarian.I recommend that you do so.
Recommended products for dog dental care
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Pract toothpaste dental gum「プラズマ乳酸菌」配合で、免疫ケアとデンタルケアが同時にできる歯磨きおやつ。牛皮のコラーゲン繊維が噛むことで汚れをからめ落とします。毎日のおやつで免疫力アップ&デンタルケア習慣の定着を目指しましょう。
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Kanderu DENTAL遊びながら噛むことでお口の健康維持ができる国産のデンタルおもちゃ。ソフトとハード、2つの噛み心地があり、飽きずに遊べます。形状はボーンタイプ・リングタイプの2種類。イチゴやベーコンのフレーバーもあり、豊富なラインアップ。
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シートでふきとる デンタルティッシュ歯の汚れを優しく拭き取れるデンタルティッシュ。緑茶乾留エキス配合でお口もスッキリします。歯磨きが苦手な子のほか、子犬・シニアにもオススメ。手に巻いて使いやすい大きめサイズで、自然由来成分配合だからなめてしまっても安心です。
6Make tooth brushing a habit to prevent your dog from periodontal disease.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsDog teeth brushing Q&A
- How often should you brush your dog's teeth?
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毎日の歯磨きが理想ですが、嫌がる場合は3日に1度、もしくは3日かけて全体を磨く意識を持ちましょう。
- ワンちゃんへの歯磨きを始める前にしておかなければならないことと?
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いきなり歯ブラシを口に入れられると、ワンちゃんは驚いてしまいます。1度恐怖心が根付くと次回からの歯磨きのハードルが上がるため、口や歯を触られることに慣れてもらうことから始めましょう。
- ワンちゃんへの歯磨きの方法は?
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比較的取り組みやすいのがデンタルおやつ・デンタルおもちゃを使ったケア。慣れてくると歯ブラシや歯磨きシートを使った歯磨きです。ワンちゃんの様子を見ながら歯磨きしてあげましょう。
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