How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?

Daily is the gold standard, but realistically aim for at least 3 times a week — that's the threshold most vets agree actually slows plaque buildup.

Use a dog-specific toothpaste (chicken or peanut-butter flavoured). Never human toothpaste — it contains fluoride and often xylitol, both toxic to dogs. A finger brush works fine for small dogs; medium and large dogs do better with an angled dog toothbrush.

Start slow if your dog isn't used to it: a few seconds of letting them lick the toothpaste off your finger, then a few seconds of touching the brush to their teeth, building up over a week. Don't fight a struggle — that just makes the next try harder.

Brushing isn't optional for older dogs. By age 3, around 80% of dogs have some form of periodontal disease, which can cause heart and kidney issues down the line.