Experts warn that many dog owners forget about dental care – and offer some easy, practical advice

Woman brushing her dog's teeth
(Image credit: Getty Images)

One often overlooked aspect of our dogs’ health can be their teeth. However, canine teeth can play a big part in health issues, so it’s important to know how to keep your dog’s teeth clean.

Their teeth are so important and holistic vet Alan Slater has been working with Green Pantry to share how we can easily help look after our dogs’ teeth. It takes less effort than you might think!

Slater says, “The signs your dog has dental issues can be subtle, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them. The most common issues to look out for are chewing difficulties, pawing at the mouth, drooling excessively, and loss of appetite. If you see these, it's better to be safe than sorry and get in touch with a vet as soon as possible.”

He explains that poor dental health can be associated with other health conditions, from liver and kidney disease to heart issues. Weight loss can be another problem, if your dog has a reduced appetite due to poor dental health.

So, how can we keep our pups’ teeth in good shape? Slater has four easy tips that don’t take much effort.

1. Brush their teeth at least three times a week

Slater advises brushing your dog’s teeth at least three times a week using one of the best dog toothbrushes and best dog toothpaste – here’s a guide on how to brush your dog’s teeth.

“Go slow and use positive reinforcement, such as providing their favorite treats alongside verbal praise if they behave well, to make it an enjoyable experience,” he says.

Meanwhile, here’s how to clean dog teeth without brushing .

Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste

Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste

Formulated using an exclusive dual-enzyme system, this toothpaste reduces plaque and freshens the breath. Because it contains no foaming agents, it's safe for your pet to swallow and it comes in a choice of five flavors.

2. Give them treats with mint and parsley

Try one of the best dog dental chews, treats or supplements with ingredients like mint and parsley, as these can help slow plaque and tartar buildup. Use specialist toys that are designed to clean teeth, too.

Teeth-cleaning Dog Chew Toy

Teeth-cleaning Dog Chew Toy

Apply dog toothpaste to this chew toy and get your dog to chew it off. The bristles will help clean their teeth and your dog will love the challenge.

3. Go for regular checkups

Regular visits to the vet are important, and we should be ensuring our dogs have dental examinations alongside their annual checkups. If your dog belongs to a breed more prone to dental issues, it might be a good idea to go for more regular checkups.

4. Incorporate natural remedies into their diet

“There are plenty of natural remedies also available to help combat bad breath,” says Slater. “Fresh mint can be added to their food at meal times, while apple cider vinegar can be added to their water as it contains bacteria that can kill acetic acids.”

Among the conditions to look out for are periodontal disease (severe gum disease in dogs, which is the most common dental issue in adult dogs), overcrowding of the teeth, overbite, and gingivitis (which can progress to periodontal disease if it’s ignored).

If you’d like more advice, don’t forget to take a look at these eight tips to keep dog teeth clean and healthy !

Adam England
Freelance Writer

Adam is a freelance journalist specialising in pets, music and culture, and mental health and wellbeing. He investigates and writes the large majority of news on PetsRadar, and collaborates with veterinary experts to produce informative pet care content.

Adam has a journalism degree from Southampton Solent University and a masters degree in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University. He was previously senior editor at dog advice website DogTime.com, and has also written for The Independent, GoodToKnow and Healthline.

He owns two rescue cats, Bunny and Dougie, and has also previously had a rabbit, fish and Roborovski dwarf hamsters.