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Brushing your dog’s teeth: useful or overrated?
Regular brushing can help prevent plaque, but cannot remove established tartar or treat dental disease. Learn its benefits and limits.
Brushing your dog's teeth is a topic that unsettles many owners. The short answer is: Yes, brushing your dog’s teeth can be useful - but it is not a panacea and is not the only solution for every dog.
Why dental care is important for dogs
Dogs get plaque on their teeth, just like us. If this is not removed, it hardens into tartar. This can lead to:
Small dog breeds are particularly susceptible because their teeth are closer together and plaque builds up more quickly.
- Inflammation of the gums
- Periodontitis
- Tooth loss
- chronic inflammation in the body
What brushing your dog’s teeth can do – and what it can’t do
✔️ This is what brushing your dog’s teeth can do:
- Reduce plaque before tartar forms
- Keep gums healthy
- Prevent bad breath
- maintain existing dental health
❌ Brushing your dog’s teeth can’t do this:
👉 If tartar is already present, only professional teeth cleaning at the vet will help.
- remove existing tartar
- heal infected or loose teeth
- replace necessary dental treatment
How often should you brush your dog's teeth?
- Ideal: daily
- Realistic & sensible: 2–3 times per week
- What is important is regularity, not perfection
Always use:
- dog-specific toothpaste (never human toothpaste!)
- a soft dog toothbrush or finger brush
What to do if the dog does not tolerate brushing his teeth?
Not every dog can be looked into the mouth without any problems. In this case:
Brushing your dog’s teeth is an addition, not a must at any price.
- don't force anything
- introduce brushing gradually through positive training
- Use alternatives (e.g. dental care gels, regular check-ups)
The role of feeding in dental health
Important to know: Dry food does not clean teeth. Soft food is not automatically worse for the teeth.
What is crucial is:
- regular dental care
- healthy mouth flora
- early checks
- Appropriate feeding without unnecessary stress
Conclusion
Brushing your dog's teeth makes sense if it is started early and done regularly. It is intended for prevention – not treatment. Existing dental problems always belong in the hands of a vet.
👉 If you combine dental care, feeding and check-ups, you give your dog the best conditions for healthy teeth - for a lifetime.
Find out which food and what amount of food really suits your dog
Even if food does not cure dental problems, feeding that is not optimally balanced can have a negative impact on inflammation, digestion and general well-being - especially in small, sensitive dogs.
Advice tailored to your dog
Find the right food and portion size for your dog
Many unusual eating behaviours are not caused by a deficiency, but rather by food that is not optimally balanced.
PET42 creates an individual food recommendation, independent of manufacturers, based on your dog’s details, including the appropriate food quantity in grams.
Questionnaire, checkout and feeding advice are provided in German.
