This can be done once a month or more if you’re a real clean freak! How much should a dog toothbrush cost? Regular brushing is key to maintaining good oral hygiene, says Dr. Klein. “Brushing once a day is ideal, as plaque develops within hours of a meal.Once it becomes part of a dog’s daily routine, many dogs learn to expect it and enjoy it.If daily brushing is not an option, brushing three times a week is the minimum to prevent plaque buildup and tartar accumulation.” Annual dog teeth cleanings are essential. “Professional teeth cleanings are able to clean under the gumline and all surfaces of the teeth – the areas that are difficult to do with just a toothbrush,” says Dr. Ashley Barnes, medical director at Louisville Family Animal Hospital in Louisville, Colorado.”This deep cleaning keeps the gums healthy and helps to prevent periodontal disease.” How We Chose Our Top Dog Toothbrushes Take your dog in for annual professional cleanings. A veterinary professional can perform a dental examination, treat any issues, and clean areas that are not as easily accessible with a toothbrush. Brushing a dog’s teeth helps prevent periodontal disease, but it can’t treat it if it’s already formed. To make sure you succeed at brushing your dog’s teeth, follow these suggestions and recommendations:

When you’re shopping for a dog’s toothbrush, you don’t necessarily need anything too fancy—though you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing a brush that’s the right size for your dog. “Due to the size of their jaw, most pets need a smaller brush,” says Dr. Simon. “Smaller breeds like Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus may benefit from small ‘finger’ brushes which are rubber tubes with bristles placed on the outside of your finger.” You won’t want to try a finger brush with a dog you don’t trust to not bite you, though.

You can start by gently touching puppy teeth as early as 8 or 9 weeks, says Dr. Klein. “But it should be done as a fun session.A puppy’s mouth can be sore during the teething process(4 to 5 months of age) so it is safest to wait until a puppy is about 6 months of age gently using finger brushes or small toothbrushes made for puppies.” Dog Tooth Brushing: Tips for Success

When you adopt a dog, you need some essentials like a good collar, leash, harness, lots and lots of poop bags, and even a toothbrush. Yep—it turns out that just like us humans, pups need regular teeth-brushing to keep plaque, tartar, tooth decay, and other dental diseases, like gingivitis, at bay. In fact, if you don’t brush your dog’s teeth, you put them at risk for bacteria from their mouth, causing infections in other parts of their body, too—like their kidneys and heart. Meanwhile, the included toothpaste has a poultry flavor to appeal to your pet (if your pet doesn’t like it, the brand does offer other flavors sold separately). The toothpaste formula is made with a strong enzyme system and is more abrasive than other options, so it effectively cleans your dog or cat’s teeth and freshens their breath. While it is a bit pricier than other options on this list, we love that it comes with everything you need to keep your dog’s mouth clean and healthy.

Be patient. It can take time for your dog to become accustomed to brushing, and for you to learn proper brushing technique. If the experience is too stressful for your dog, ask your veterinarian if alternatives like dental chews or diets, rinses or water additives, or if dog finger toothbrushes are appropriate. Much like when we have to decide whether to switch up our own toothbrush, the optimum time to upgrade a dog’s dental tool is very subjective. If you’re looking for a dual-ended toothbrush for your pup, look no further than this option from Vetoquinol. Equipped with a large brush head on one end and a smaller head on the other, both are on an angle, making brushing easier. However, they are larger than other options, so even the smaller size can be too big for dogs or cats with particularly small mouths. Ergonomically designed, it also has an extra-long handle that makes it easy to reach even the hardest corners of your dog’s mouth. Available only in a bright green color, you will have to label these if you plan on buying for multiple pets. We love this kit from Nylabone because it is vet-recommended and includes everything you need to start an oral care routine for your puppy. Each kit is domestically made and offers a small traditional toothbrush, finger brush, and toothpaste. The traditional toothbrush has a rubberized grip and an angled handle, making it easy to hold and maneuver in those hard-to-reach places of your puppy’s small mouth. Dog owners will also appreciate that the bristles are very soft and won’t cause any damage or irritation. Meanwhile, the finger brush is made of smooth silicone and is comfortable to wear and massage your pup’s gums. However, its small size may be too small for some adult fingers. They’re made by Bodhi, a small, family-owned business that sources its ingredients from the U.S. and local companies when possible.