Like us humans, dogs have two sets of teeth in their lifetime. These are the deciduous teeth (puppy teeth) and their permanent teeth. The second set replace the puppy teeth at around 13 weeks to 6 months of age.

Your dog’s permanent teeth need to be looked after to keep their dental health in tip top shape.

Dogs can suffer from a range of dental problems. These include plaque and tartar build up, gum disease (gingivitis) and cracked teeth. Small breeds and sighthounds such as Greyhounds are especially prone to tooth problems. This is because of the size of their teeth makes it easier for debris to get stuck.

With young puppies, it’s good practice to get them used to having their lips lifted and their teeth looked at. The ideal time to start cleaning your dog’s teeth is when they’re a puppy. Teaching them at a young age will help to build their tolerance and it’ll become part of their routine! The best way is to teach your dog to accept having their teeth cleaned with a soft toothbrush and dog-friendly toothpaste. If your dog needs extra help with their teeth, there are lots of products, supplements, and oral hygiene gels available.

You can introduce older dogs to having their teeth cleaned. But make sure you take things slowly. You’ll need a soft brush and plenty of tasty treats.

Need to clean your pup’s pearly whites? Follow our step-by-step guide:

• Use a soft bristled child’s toothbrush, a doggy toothbrush that fits on your finger, or a double-ended brush specifically for dogs. Make sure the toothpaste you choose is safe for dogs to swallow. Human toothpaste containing fluoride or xylitol is not safe for dogs.

• Start by gently touching your puppy on the mouth and feeding them a treat. Build this up very slowly. They’ll soon learn that having their mouth touched, opened and examined is nothing to worry about. 

• Introduce the doggy toothpaste. Put a little on your finger and allow your dog to lick some off. Do this a couple of times. Now try it again using a toothbrush. Many toothpastes are meat flavoured, so they should hopefully enjoy this!

• Softly rub the toothpaste on your dog’s teeth with your finger. This should get them used to the sensation.

• The next step is to gently lift your dog’s lip, place the brush against their teeth and give them a reward. 

• You might like to talk your dog through this process, so they know what’s coming next. Using key phrases each time like “I’m going to lift your lip” and “Here’s the toothbrush” can really help keep your dog calm. 

If you can brush your adult dogs’ teeth regularly, you’ll help keep their mouth healthy. Vets recommend cleaning your dog’s teeth daily, if possible. But at least every two to three days should be enough to keep their teeth clean.  Add teeth cleaning into your daily or weekly dog care routine to help your dog maintain shiny, white, healthy teeth for years to come. 

The action of chewing on appropriate chews or toys can also help clean dog’s teeth. Dogs of any age enjoy chewing, and there are lots of things that can help keep teeth clean and healthy. Natural chews such as pizzle and pig’s ears can be healthier than some manufactured chews, so be sure to check the ingredients!

A good tooth care routine will be even more important if you feed your dog soft food and sweet treats. So, think about this when choosing what to include in your dog’s diet. Avoid sugary treats, or make sure to brush their teeth afterwards if they do indulge!   

Your vet should check your dogs’ teeth as part of their yearly check-up. In between, if your dog shows signs of struggling to eat, bad breath or inflamed gums, take them to a vet.