Why to Use a Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Do you know that one of the most crucial things to do for your dog is to prevent pain and hidden infections from unhealthy teeth and gums? To achieve this objective, you require the best dog toothbrush and toothpaste.
Dental care for dogs can be challenging, even with some of the best dog toothbrushes and toothpaste. So, let’s explore this exercise and some dog toothpaste and toothbrushes available on the market.
Why is Dental Care for Dogs Important?
Dental care for dogs is essential for the following reasons:
Oral Disease Prevention
Like humans, dogs require routine teeth cleaning to prevent gingivitis, plaque, tartar, tooth decay, and other dental conditions. Also, failing to clean your dog’s teeth exposes them to oral germs, leading to diseases in other bodily areas, including the heart and kidneys.
Allows Comfortable Eating
Notably, food particles stuck in teeth or gums, tooth decay, and infections in the mouth can all cause discomfort or pain when a dog eats. However, regular dental care keeps a dog’s mouth healthy for comfortable chewing.
Supports Aging
As dogs age, their teeth and gums are more prone to problems. Establishing early and regular dental care routines can help prevent painful dental issues as your dog ages.
Keeps Teeth Looking Nice
Proper dental care removes stains and tartar to keep your dog’s teeth looking their best. This move is primarily for cosmetic reasons.
The best thing you can do to help your dog avoid dental illness as they age is to brush its teeth. It has a far greater impact and is more significant than diet alone, besides whatever powder or liquid you may put in its meal or water to clean its teeth.
If you brush its teeth, the move will probably avoid costly dental procedures.
Daily tooth brushing is also advisable for your canine companion. In a perfect world, we would brush dogs’ teeth every day, but even once every two days will have the same effect.
Our Favorite Dog Toothpaste and Brush
Toothbrush
We picked the Jasper Dog Toothbrush as our best pick because it has a 360° design that makes it easy to use. Also, it’s expandable to fit any finger and has a storage case, making it portable and ideal for traveling.
Toothpaste
Our best pick is the Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste. Besides being available in multiple meaty flavors that can match your dog’s taste, this toothpaste is vet-recommended. Also, it can minimize plaque, freshen breath, and maintain a clean dog’s mouth. Additionally, your dog can swallow it without having any side effects.
Lastly, it is more affordable than other dog toothpaste.
Some Other Products We Reviewed
Toothbrushes
- Jasper Dog Toothbrush (Best easy-to-use toothbrush)
- Vet's+Best Dental Care Finger Wipes (Best for preventing tartar and plaque)
- Orgrimmar 2 Pcs Three-Sided Pet Toothbrush (Best three-sided toothbrush)
- Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste Kit + Finger brush & Dual-End Toothbrush (Best dog brushing kit)
- Woobamboo! Eco-Friendly Small Breed Bamboo Toothbrush (Best small-breed toothbrush)
Toothpastes
- Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste (Best vet-recommended dog toothpaste)
- Arm & Hammer for Pets Clinical Care Dental Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs (Best for fighting foul breath)
- Nutri-Vet Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs (Best for removing tartar and plaque)
- Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste Brushing Kit (Best for fighting gum disease)
- Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste (Best non-allergic toothpaste)
Our Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste Deep Dive
Toothbrushes
Jasper Dog Toothbrush: Best Easy-to-Use Toothbrush
About This Product
With only a few swipes, you can easily clean your dog’s mouth with the Jasper Dog Toothbrush because of its 360° design. It is effective with CET (Customizable care, Easy to use, Trusted by veterinarians) enzymatic dog toothpaste. Also, both thick and thin fingers fit into it.
Notably, the silicone expands for larger fingers and forms a seal for smaller fingers if you add a few drops of water. Remember, silicone studs are still sufficiently abrasive to remove plaque despite being softer than regular bristles. Also, their delicate nature makes pets more receptive to finger brushes.
This product comes in a package of two finger brushes and cases, good for six to twelve months of brushing (depending on usage). Additionally, you can sterilize them by boiling them.
- Brand: Jasper
- Age range: All ages
- Firmness: Soft
- Color/s: Blue, clear, pink, neon
- Features: 360° design, expandable silicone material, two storage cases
- Material-type free: BPA and phthalate-free silicone
What We Liked
- You can buy a two-pack and use it for six months or a four-pack for a year, thus saving replacement costs.
- It is ideal for traveling because it comes with storage cases.
What We Didn’t Like
- Some dogs mistake it for a toy and chew it, thus shortening its lifespan and increasing replacement costs.
Vet's+Best Dental Care Finger Wipes: Best for Preventing Tartar and Plaque
About This Product
Vet’s Best Dental Care Finger Wipes support healthy dental hygiene and aid in preventing the formation of tartar and plaque. They fight against microorganisms that cause odors while freshening your pet’s breath with thyme oil and green tea extract.
The mild formula, which contains entirely natural ingredients, ensures that no hazardous ingredients get introduced into your pet’s mouth. Using these wipes regularly prevents your dog from developing gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues.
To guarantee optimal freshness and efficacy, use them within the first three months of purchase and store them in a cool, dry location.
- Brand: Vet’s+Best
- Features: Natural ingredients, contains thyme oil and green tea extract
What We Liked
- They are easy to use because you simply slide them over your finger.
- It does not seem to have side effects because it comes from natural ingredients.
What We Didn’t Like
- Some Amazon customers complain that these wipes are only ideal for large dogs with mouths large enough to fit a finger.
Orgrimmar 2 Pcs Three-Sided Pet Toothbrush: Best Three-Sided Toothbrush
About This Product
Because it has three sides, the Orgrimmar 2 Pcs Three-Sided Pet Toothbrush is simple and efficient for brushing your dog. Its ergonomic design makes it safer and more comfortable to use because it fits the anatomy of a dog’s mouth.
Because the handle is rubber-made, it cannot slide from your hands. Also, it’s dishwasher safe, making cleaning easy. Lastly, this toothbrush has a hanging hole, simplifying storage.
- Brand: Orgrimmar
- Age range: All ages
- Firmness: Soft
- Color/s: Blue, orange
- Features: Three-sided design, ergonomic rubber handle, nylon bristles
What We Liked
- Its three-sided design makes brushing time short.
What We Didn’t Like
- Some Amazon customers complain that their dogs keep biting this toothbrush during a brushing exercise. Given that a dog must open its mouth wide when using this toothbrush, its effectiveness depends on how cooperative your dog is.
Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste Kit + Finger brush & Dual-End Toothbrush: Best Dog Brushing Kit
Amazon’s Choice in Highly-Rated and Well-Priced Products
About This Product
This kit features triple-enzyme toothpaste, a finger brush, and a toothbrush with a large and small head for convenient dog brushing. It assists in getting rid of your pet’s foul breath and stops the growth of harmful organisms in your dog’s mouth.
The kit’s non-foaming toothpaste eliminates plaque and food particles, leaving teeth shiny and fresh-smelling. Your dog’s teeth get cleaner because this toothpaste’s triple enzyme formula is safe to swallow. Thus, no need to rinse it off.
- Brand: Vetoquinol
- Flavor: Poultry
- Firmness: Soft
- Color/s: Green
- Features: Double-ended toothbrush design, non-foaming toothpaste
What We Liked
- It is easy to use because a dog mistakes the toothpaste for a treat because of its flavor.
- It provides two brushing options: a finger and bristle toothbrushes.
What We Didn’t Like
- If you use the two ends of the bristle toothbrush interchangeably, the brushing exercise can be messy because sometimes you can hold the end coming from your dog’s mouth.
Woobamboo! Eco-Friendly Small Breed Bamboo Toothbrush: Best Small-Breed Toothbrush
About This Product
There are two small-breed dog toothbrushes in this set. To help you get a firm grip when brushing, these brushes include ergonomic handles with a tiny hump on the back of each handle.
Woobamboo Eco-Friendly Small Breed Bamboo Toothbrushes are free of lead, phthalates, glues, and paints that can harm your dog. They also have a natural wax coat that resembles beeswax to prevent their handle from fraying and injuring your dog’s mouth.
Additionally, these brushes feature the best dental-grade nylon bristles and are recyclable and biodegradable.
- Brand: Woobamboo
- Firmness: Soft
- Features: Ergonomic handles, natural wax coating, dental-grade nylon bristles
- Material-type free: BPA and phthalate-free biodegradable bamboo
What We Liked
- It is more affordable than most dog toothbrushes.
Toothpaste
Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste: Best Vet-Recommended Dog Toothpaste
About This Product
Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste minimizes plaque, freshens breath, and maintains a clean dog’s mouth. Since this toothpaste contains no foaming chemicals, pets can safely ingest it. Also, some veterinarians recommend it among other dental brands.
To use it effectively, use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
- Brand: Virbac
- Flavor/s: Poultry, vanilla mint, beef
- Age range: All ages
What We Liked
- It comes in various flavors, including meaty flavors, to match your dog’s taste options.
- It is more affordable than other dog toothpaste.
What We Didn’t Like
- It is not Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)-certified. So, it is hard to tell whether it is safe and efficient firsthand.
Arm & Hammer for Pets Clinical Care Dental Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs: Best Fighting Foul Breath
About This Product
Arm & Hammer for Pets Clinical Care Dental Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs works gently yet effectively to fight foul breath, prevent tartar, improve inflamed gums, and remove plaque. Its all-natural components guarantee your dog’s oral health at its best without adding harmful additives. Also, you can use it with a toothbrush or finger brush.
Because it has baking soda, it is a 100% safe enzymatic gel that cares for your dog’s teeth.
- Brand: Arm & Hammer
- Flavor/s: Chicken, vanilla ginger, beef
- Material-type free: Bleach-free
What We Liked
- It features some flavors associated with dog food, making it appealing to dogs and brushing their teeth easier.
What We Didn’t Like
- Some Amazon customers claim their dogs fell sick after consuming this toothpaste. So, it is always necessary to consult a vet before using it.
Nutri-Vet Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs: Best for Removing Tartar and Plaque
About This Product
With its non-foaming recipe, Nutri-Vet Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs leaves your dog’s breath fresh. This toothpaste also polishes your dog’s teeth to remove plaque. Made by veterinarians, it meets the strictest requirements for consistency and quality. The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) quality seal is also attached.
Importantly, this toothpaste contains hydrated silica and glucose oxidase. Hydrated silica is a gentle abrasive that helps remove plaque and tartar from a dog’s teeth. It helps clean the surface of the teeth.
On the other hand, glucose oxidase helps reduce plaque buildup. It acts as an antimicrobial agent that interferes with bacteria’s ability to produce a glue-like biofilm that allows plaque to stick to teeth.
- Brand: Nutri-Vet
- Flavor/s: Chicken
- Age range: All ages
What We Liked
- It can make stained dog teeth whiter.
- Some Amazon customers claim that it works better than dental treats.
What We Didn’t Like
- It contains sorbitol, which causes harmful effects, including osmotic diarrhea, to some dogs.
Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste Brushing Kit: Best for Fighting Gum Disease
About This Product
The Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste Brushing Kit combats gum disease, tartar accumulation, tooth decay, and foul breath. It’s perfect for enhancing dental hygiene and restoring your pet’s teeth to their former glory.
Not only does this toothpaste with a beef flavor clean teeth and freshen breath, but it also tastes meaty and likable to dogs! In between your pet’s yearly cleanings from your veterinarian, you can support your dog’s dental hygiene and oral cleanliness using this toothpaste.
This toothpaste comes in a pack with two 14-ounce (396.9-gram) tubes, a dual-headed toothbrush, and a fingertip toothbrush.
- Brand: Paws & Pals
- Flavor/s: Beef
- Material-type free: Sulfate and BPA-free
What We Liked
- It contains calcium carbonate to make your dog’s teeth strong.
- It comes in a pack of two to last long.
What We Didn’t Like
- Some Amazon customers claim that the beef flavor is unnoticeable, and their dogs don’t like the toothpaste.
Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste: Best Non-Allergic Toothpaste
About This Product
The Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste is one of the dog toothpastes with Calprox recommended by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). It promotes healthy gums and white teeth. Clinical research has shown that Petsmile’s exclusive Calprox formula inhibits the formation of plaque and tartar while gradually dissolving the protein pellicle to whiten teeth.
Notably, even the pickiest pet’s oral health may be easily improved and maintained with this no-brushing-needed product. All you have to do is apply the toothpaste to your dog’s teeth and let its tongue do the rest.
With this toothpaste, you can be sure your pet uses the best pet toothpaste because it comprises human-grade, pet-safe ingredients. Also, this toothpaste is hypoallergenic because it is vegan and allergy-free.
- Brand: Petsmile
- Flavor/s: London Broil, rotisserie chicken, say cheese
- Age range: All ages
- Material-type free: BPA-free, sulfate-free, gluten-free, paraben-free
What We Liked
- It is the only toothpaste with Calprox, given that it is a proprietary formula.
- It is less messy to use because you need no brushing.
What We Didn’t Like
- It is more expensive than other dog toothpaste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Use Human Toothpaste?
No, never brush your dog’s teeth with human toothpaste. Interestingly, many ingredients in human toothpaste have the potential to irritate the stomach and cause discomfort if swallowed by a dog. Remember that your pets aren’t excellent at following the “rinse and spit” command.
Also, most human toothpaste formulations contain xylitol, an extremely harmful sweetener to dogs. Dogs that consume xylitol may have a reduction in blood sugar, which may result in liver damage.
What’s the Best Way to Clean Dogs’ Teeth?
Here are some of the best ways to clean your dogs’ teeth:
- Brush regularly – Vets recommend daily brushing with a soft dog toothbrush and dog-safe toothpaste. Brushing helps remove plaque and tartar buildup.
- Use dental chews – Chews that support dental health mechanically scrub the teeth to remove soft plaque. They help clean hard-to-reach back teeth.
- Do dental wipes – Wipes with anti-plaque ingredients can clean the teeth of dogs who won’t tolerate brushing. They don’t replace brushing but are better than nothing.
- Get professional cleanings – Veterinary dental cleanings to scale away tartar is crucial for dogs with significant dental disease. Yearly cleanings may be advisable.
- Feed dental diet foods – Some prescription dog foods mechanically scrub the teeth as the kibble gets chewed. This move helps reduce plaque buildup.
- Use antimicrobial rinses – Dog mouth rinses with chlorhexidine can kill bacteria in the mouth during a brushing exercise. They help slow plaque formation.
- Avoid hard chews – Hard chews and bones can fracture teeth. Stick to rubber chews instead.
However, always check with your veterinarian before using any items, including toothbrushes and toothpaste.
How to Clean Dog Teeth
The following steps apply when brushing your dog’s teeth:
- Introduce mouth touching: Have it rest its chin in your hand. Gently touch the outside of their lips to get them comfortable with you handling their mouth area. As soon as you remove your hand, please give it a treat right away to reinforce the positive experience. Repeat this process until your dog feels comfortable when you touch its mouth.
- Advance to touching inside its mouth: Providing your dog is comfortable with touching its mouth, you can progress to touching inside their mouth. With your hand in the same position as before, gently slide a finger inside your dog’s upper lips and over the gums. Remove your hands and give them a treat.
- Touch its snout: The next step is helping your dog feel at ease with contact on and around their snout. Start by softly placing your hand to rest on top of their muzzle. Please give it a treat and praise while your hand is in this position. Repeat this several times until your dog appears relaxed with the contact.
- Touch its teeth: Once your dog is at ease with you touching their snout and briefly lifting their lips, you can gradually progress to sliding a finger over their teeth and gums. With your hand resting on their muzzle, gently lift their upper lip and briefly run a finger over their front teeth and gums. Immediately reward your dog with treats.
- Use a brush: Once your dog is entirely comfortable when you touch its teeth and gums, you can start introducing a toothbrush. Begin by using the toothbrush to briefly touch their front teeth and gums in a gentle circular motion. Keep these first brushing sessions extremely short – just a few seconds. Slowly build the brushing time over many days or weeks until your dog is relaxed with you brushing all their teeth in this calm, gradual manner.
- Add toothpaste: The final step is introducing toothpaste. Put a small amount of dog-safe toothpaste on the brush and let your dog lick and sniff it first so it understands it’s not scary. Then, gently lift its lip and slide the flavored toothpaste onto its front teeth. Using gentle circular motions, briefly brush just a couple of teeth to get them used to the feel and taste.
What’s the Difference Between Bad Breath and Dog Breath?
Dog breath is typical of being a canine, and frequent washing eliminates odor-causing microorganisms. But you want to schedule a visit with your veterinarian if your dog’s mouth starts to smell bad or if you observe any changes.
Remember, bad breath may indicate a more serious health problem, such as periodontal disease, which affects more than 80% of dogs when they are two years old.
Does Canine Toothpaste Expire?
Dog toothpaste has an expiration date, much like most consumable products, and its ingredients lose effectiveness with time. Notably, the dog toothpaste’s recommended use-by or expiration date should appear on the container. If you use the product after its expiration date, you’ll probably get less desired outcomes.
At What Age Should I Start Brushing My Puppy’s Teeth?
When your dog is eight to 16 weeks old, begin brushing its teeth. Furthermore, brushing them at this young age helps your dog get used to the practice and makes it much simpler to incorporate it into its everyday routine.
However, even if you’re starting with a puppy, take your time to acclimate your pet to having their teeth washed and their mouth touched.
When they are going through a teething phase, try not to brush them since this could make them equate brushing with pain. Teething can cause red gums, foul breath, and a dislike of having their mouth touched.
Can You Use Human Toothbrushes for Dogs?
No, a dog-specific toothbrush is what you should use. Dog-specific toothbrushes are smaller and have softer bristles. It is also simpler to use finger toothbrushes for dogs.
Your Dog Toothpaste and Toothbrush Buyers Guide
Flavor
Are you aware that most dogs get motivated to get their teeth brushed by their favorite food flavor? For this reason, selecting a flavor your dog enjoys will increase your dog’s comfort during the process.
For instance, using beef-flavored toothpaste could make brushing your dog’s teeth simpler if it prefers beef-flavored treats.
Size
There’s no need for anything fancy when buying a toothbrush for your dog, but you should ensure the brush is the appropriate size. Most dogs require a small brush due to the size of their jaw.
Notably, rubber tubes with bristles inserted on the outside of your finger are called “finger” brushes. They are ideal for small dog breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus. However, you should avoid trying a finger brush with a dog if you don’t trust it not to bite you.
Bristles
To avoid injuring or bleeding your dog’s gums while cleaning their teeth, choose soft and flexible brushes, particularly if your dog is a beginner brusher. On the other hand, traditional dog toothbrushes can reach below the gum line and feature nylon bristles. Lastly, finger brushes are silicone-made and excellent for gum massages.
Grip
It’s easier to brush your dog’s teeth when you use a toothbrush with a nonslip handle that provides a firm hold. Curved or rubberized handles are good signs that the toothbrush is comfortable to hold.
Ease of Use
Never forget to consider the handle’s length. Make sure the one you select will allow you to move around easily. Also, choose one with a shorter handle to make operating easier.
Vet-Recommended Products
Lastly, search for toothbrushes that veterinarians recommend. You can opt for those approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, a group of veterinarians with specialized experience caring for animals’ teeth. You can always double-check a choice with your dog’s veterinarian to be sure it’s appropriate if it’s not physician-approved.
How We Tested
After conducting extensive study, we chose several dog toothpaste and toothbrush brands to test on actual dogs. Our participants used guided brushing methods to closely watch and document their dog’s reaction to the toothpaste over four weeks.
We recommended that all testers brush their dogs’ teeth daily or every other day, but we only required them to do so for a minimum of seven sessions.
The testers documented any alterations to their dog’s teeth’ color, texture, and plaque lining. They also recorded changes to the breath odor by snapping and documenting pictures. After that, they offered their opinions on flavor, smell, and convenience of use.
We averaged the testers’ ratings across several categories and combined their notes once the testing window ended. Of the brands we examined, 10 obtained good ratings to warrant recommendation. Also, we are confident in our recommendation of the brands after conducting extra study and consulting with specialists.
Why to Trust Groomersland Reviews
Before researching and blogging about pet products, we always set out on a self-imposed, never-ending mission to locate the best products for our dogs. Afterward, we delightfully dedicate ourselves to assisting dog owners in finding and choosing the best goods for their animals.
Apart from our personal experience, we seek guidance from other specialists, including veterinary professionals. We also evaluate several consumer reviews and feedback to determine the most suitable goods for our list.
We’ve Got You Covered
Maintaining the oral hygiene of your canine friend is not easy. However, brushing its teeth using the best toothbrush and toothpaste, such as the Jasper Dog Toothbrush and Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste, minimizes plaque, freshens breath, and maintains a clean dog’s mouth.
It is time to say goodbye to your canine friend’s bad breath, tartar, and plaque and keep it from hidden pain and oral infections.
