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A dog who still eats dinner can still have a painful mouth. PDSA explains that many dogs continue eating despite dental disease, so appetite alone is a poor reassurance. Daily brushing helps prevent problems, while bad breath, sore gums or changes in chewing deserve a veterinary check1.
The first aim is a comfortable mouth, followed by a routine your dog can accept. If brushing has never been part of your day, begin with a conversation and one achievable step. You do not need to make up for lost time in a single session.
Common disease, often noticed during an ordinary check
A VetCompass study published in 2021 examined a random sample of 22,333 dogs under UK veterinary care during 2016. Periodontal disease was the most frequently recorded specific disorder, affecting 12.52% in that year: roughly one in eight. That describes diagnoses in historical clinical records, rather than the proportion of all dogs with any hidden dental problem today2.
The study included existing and newly recorded problems and depended on what was documented during veterinary care. It is useful evidence for making dental prevention a priority. It should not be read as a complete examination of every dog's teeth or a guarantee that an apparently unaffected dog had no disease2.
A 2026 study used a different approach: questionnaires from 12,753 owners in the United States and Canada. Bad breath and resistance to head touching were associated with reported periodontal disease. These were owner-reported observations from customers of a pet-food and health company, with potential selection and reporting biases3.
Its findings reinforce the value of mentioning changes you notice. They do not establish that reluctance to have the head touched diagnoses dental disease, or that survey prevalence can be compared directly with UK veterinary-record prevalence. Different populations and methods can produce very different-looking numbers3.
PDSA lists chewing on one side, dropping food, drooling, red or bleeding gums and facial swelling among possible dental signs. A broken tooth also needs veterinary attention. If your dog is too painful to eat or cannot close their mouth, contact the practice for an urgent appointment1.
Make sure brushing is comfortable before you begin
Animal Trust's current home-care guidance recommends a soft, suitably sized toothbrush and toothpaste made for animals. Avoid human toothpaste, very hard chews and attempts to scrape tartar yourself. If the gums are painful or inflamed, speak to the vet before starting: brushing a sore mouth can be uncomfortable4.
Ask the team to show you the starting position and equipment on your own dog. Tell them if handling has been difficult before. “She moves away as soon as the brush appears” is a useful training problem to discuss, rather than something you need to hide until you have succeeded.
The same guidance recommends short, positive sessions and stopping when the dog is uncomfortable. Work first on the outside tooth surfaces, without forcing the mouth open. As the dog becomes comfortable, gradually include accessible surfaces along the gumline. Some dogs need several weeks to accept the process4.
Build the skill in small, repeatable pieces
PDSA's plaque advice recommends introducing dog toothpaste by taste, then gradually building mouth handling and brushing. Reward calm acceptance of gentle touches around the face before expecting work with a toothbrush. Daily brushing is the goal; occasional catch-up sessions do not provide the same regular plaque removal5.
A gradual introduction
Treat these as stages, rather than a five-day timetable. You might spend several sessions on the first step, or find that a familiar dog takes to the next one readily. Record the last easy step so everyone helping with care knows where to start tomorrow.
Choose a cue that already belongs to your day: after an evening task or before you put the care kit away. Set out what you need before inviting the dog over. The practical question is what makes starting easy for this household, rather than how impressive the routine looks on paper.
Chews and additives need an honest place in the plan
PDSA says dental chews can contribute to care, but dogs tend to chew with their back teeth, leaving the front teeth less helped. Chews also count towards food intake. They can be useful alongside brushing, with the choice and amount discussed in the context of your dog's diet5.
A study published online in 2024 tested six home-care protocols in dogs whose teeth were not professionally scaled at the start. Over eight treatment weeks, regular mechanical action from brushing or a tested chew partly reduced deposits. Certain combinations also improved the study's assessment of gum and periodontal health6.
The study used particular products, small groups and examinations of awake dogs without probing or dental radiographs. It does not show that all chews or additives are equivalent. Importantly, the authors state that the results should not encourage treating periodontal disease without professional scaling when the dog's health permits it6.
When considering an extra product, ask a concrete question: what evidence supports this one, and what job would it do for my dog? Keep the answer separate from whether the dog happens to enjoy it. Enjoyment helps a routine, but does not demonstrate a dental effect.
Established disease needs more than brighter-looking teeth
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons supports a statement warning against anaesthesia-free dental procedures. Removing visible tartar does not address disease below the gumline and can create false reassurance. A full examination, appropriate cleaning and dental radiographs often require general anaesthesia7.
The statement explains that uncontrolled head movement during scaling risks tissue damage, while some problems cannot be seen in an awake examination. Anaesthetic assessment, monitoring and airway protection are part of proper veterinary care. Discuss the individual benefits and risks with the team rather than choosing by appearance alone7.
Ask what the proposed dental procedure includes, how the team will assess pain, and what they may only discover during the full examination. It is reasonable to discuss costs and how decisions about extra treatment will be communicated while your dog is at the practice.
Make the routine easier to keep
A Swedish three-year study enrolled 75 owners of young, mainly small dogs and compared veterinary communication approaches with a control group. Regular conversations improved some home-care measures, but daily brushing remained uncommon and dental benefits were modest. There was no clear dental-health advantage of motivational interviewing over traditional advice8.
The authors note substantial dropout, a small study and limits to the comparison. The useful message is that explanation and follow-up can help, while simply telling an owner to brush is not the end of the job. Ask for another demonstration or a review when the routine stalls8.
At the next check, describe what you actually manage: which teeth, how often, where the dog becomes worried and what seems easy. A precise account gives the team something to adjust. “We get two comfortable touches most evenings” is a workable starting point for the next conversation.
Once you have an agreed plan, keep the kit together and share the same approach with everyone involved. The aim is an ordinary part of care that suits your dog, with regular professional checks and help available when the mouth or the routine needs attention.
Sources and further reading8 sources
The small numbers in the article link to the source behind each fact. Sources open on their own websites.
- Dental disease in dogs
- Prevalence of commonly diagnosed disorders in UK dogs under primary veterinary care: results and applications
- Risk assessment of canine periodontal disease: insights from owner-reported health questionnaires
- How to Care for Your Cat or Dog’s Teeth at Home
- Vet Q&A: How do I remove plaque from my dog's teeth
- Effectiveness of Dental Homecare Protocols in Unscaled Dogs
- A statement on ‘anaesthesia-free dental procedures’ for cats and dogs
- Long-term effects of motivational interviewing vs. traditional counseling on dog owners' adherence to veterinary dental home care …