Cute enough to appeal to little ones and parents alike, the Baby Banana toothbrush can be used for babies from 3 to 12 months. The design of the brush is perfect for teaching little ones how to properly brush their teeth, with the banana's peel serving as a handle. Meanwhile, the soft silicone bristles are gentle on baby’s gums and, when gnawed on, can even provide relief when your baby is teething. When you kiss, you primarily trade saliva. When you use someone else’s toothbrush, you’re introducing millions of germs and bacteria onto your teeth and under your gums. Trying to use a large brush in a small breed’s mouth is going to cause more damage while brushing your giant breed’s teeth with a small brush isn’t going to be very effective at all. The Length Matters Too That’s why it’s important to look for toothbrushes that are easy and comfortable for you to hold and sized appropriately for your dog’s mouth. You’ll also want to look for softer bristles so you don’t aggravate their gums, and veterinarian-approved options are always a plus. To help you find the best dog toothbrush for your dog’s needs, we researched various options on the market with these considerations in mind. If you don’t have toothpaste, dip your finger into a solution of baking soda mixed with water or saltwater

A small study analyzed the differences between finger brushing and using a manual toothbrush. Researchers found that the manual toothbrush reduced plaque by 79 percent, and finger brushing removed plaque by only 62 percent. Kaushik M, et al. (2016). The effect of coconut oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in saliva in comparison with chlorhexidine mouthwash. We sought guidance from the AAP and AAPD on what parents should look for in baby toothbrushes. Per their advice, all the toothbrushes on this list: Our nail clippers and scissors have been carefully designed to be easy and comfortable for you to use and even better, they're perfectly sized making it simple and easy to cut baby's nails safely. We've also included an emery board to make it super easy to smooth out any rough edges. 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.Before your baby has any teeth, you can use this soft silicone finger toothbrush to keep their gums clean. You slip it on one finger to give your baby's gums the once-over. This helps your baby get used to the ritual of cleaning their teeth, and shields your finger from being gummed or bitten. Despite the protection, parents say they can feel their babies' gums and teeth through the sleeve so they know they're cleaning them thoroughly. The finger toothbrush comes with a storage case, so you know it’ll be protected from debris and germs. These are exactly the same as the ones we use, but the head is angled to fit a dog’s mouth better. The bristles should be soft and the brush should slide along your dog’s jawline. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the brush looks worn out. When can my baby brush their own teeth? A similar idea to human toothbrushes, but with an angled head to better fit a dog’s mouth. Double-Ended Toothbrushes: Bristles are another detail to look out for when shopping for a dog toothbrush. They should be soft and flexible—especially if your dog is new to toothbrushing—so that you don’t hurt your dog’s gums or make them bleed while you clean their teeth. Traditional dog toothbrushes have nylon bristles and can get under the gumline. Meanwhile, finger brushes are usually made from silicone and are great for massages.

Paper towel. Wrap a textured paper towel that has been dampened over your finger. Place toothpaste on the paper towel and use the same steps as those used for finger brushing. While there is a wide range of toothbrushes you can select from, it will be best to choose one with soft bristles. According to ADA 2, you should brush your teeth twice a day using a brush with soft bristles. You do not require a lot of force to brush enamel away. Soft bristles ensure that you effectively clean your teeth without damaging your gums.

Dr. Simon also recommends brushing your dog’s teeth daily. “In the ideal world, we should brush their teeth daily, though brushing every two days will still have some positive effect,” he told The Spruce Pets.

The bristles are infused with baking soda to lightly freshen their breath, and they’re extra soft, too. It also comes with a convenient cover that is easy to snap on between brushings or when you plan to travel with your dog. Unfortunately, this product is not advertised as vet-recommended, but like other products from this trusted household brand, it’s very affordable, making it easy to replace when you need to get a new one. The AIDIYA Dog Triple Headed Toothbrush makes keeping your dog’s teeth a painless and hassle-free experience. It has an ergonomically designed rubber handle that allows you to move it around without it slipping and even an absolute novice can use it. It removes particles from treats and dental disease-causing bacteria from the inside and outside of his teeth, as well as the top. Brushing your dog’s teeth is the best thing you can do to prevent dental disease as they get older,” says Dr. Lindon Simon, veterinary surgeon. “It is more important than diet and has much more of an effect than any powder or liquid you can add to their food or water. Brushing their teeth will almost certainly prevent them from needing expensive dental treatments down the line.” The Trixie Dental Care Kit is an all-in-one solution with a tube of mint and bone meal toothpaste, a finger toothbrush as well as a double-ended toothbrush. The silicone massaging finger toothbrush is perfect for dogs with sensitive gums or those who really don’t like the idea of traditionally shaped toothbrushes, while the double-ended brush keeps molars and incisors clean and free from tartar build-up. They may be too young to get a thrill out of it but my dd (4) loves the firefly toothbrushes. They have plain ones or character ones. My dd has the my little pony ones."

Are you interested in trying out charcoal toothpaste but not sure where to start? We've rounded up the best charcoal toothpastes with fluoride to help… READ MORE I also got him a banana toothbrush that he likes to chew on. I put a little toothpaste on there sometimes and run the brush on his teeth and then just let him continue teething on it." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15560809/#:~:text=Results%3A%20The%20overall%20reduction%20in,(77%25%20plaque%20reduction)