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How To Clean Dog Teeth At Home

Learn how to clean dog teeth at home with our step-by-step guide to promoting good oral hygiene for pet parents.

6 min read·Updated: Sep 11, 2026
How To Clean Dog Teeth At Home

To clean dog teeth at home, use a canine toothbrush and paste to gently brush their teeth until visibly free from dirt and debris. Supportive dog dental care products, such as dental powder, sticks, finger wipes, or oral rinses, can also be beneficial in promoting fresher dog breath and whiter teeth at home. It’s important to schedule regular professional teeth cleanings with your veterinarian, and to perform regular checks of your dog’s mouth and gums, so that you can spot any potential signs early.

Want detailed advice on dog tooth brushing? Read our vet-authored guide to brushing dog teeth at home.

Key Takeaway: How To Clean Dog Teeth At Home

ProBright® Advanced Dog Teeth Cleaning Powder - Voted Dog Dental Care Product of the Year in the 2024, 2025 & 2026 Pet Innovation Awards
ProBright® Advanced Dog Teeth Cleaning Powder – Voted Dog Dental Care Product of the Year in the 2024, 2025 & 2026 Pet Innovation Awards

To clean dog teeth at home:

  1. Gently brush your dog’s teeth with a canine toothbrush and paste
  2. Check their teeth, gums, tongue and mouth regularly.
  3. If your dog resists brushing, or for additional support, consider the use of dog dental finger wipes as a helpful way to remove dirt and debris.
  4. Many pet parents also opt to use a dog dental powder to support fresher breath and whiter teeth between professional vet cleanings.

Remember, to support your dog’s oral hygiene, it’s important to take your dog for regular dental check-ups with your veterinarian.

Take a look at these four easy ways to keep your dog’s dental and oral health in tip-top condition.

How to clean your dog's teeth at home - 4 step infographic
How to clean your dog’s teeth at home – 4 step infographic

Dog Toothpaste & Toothbrush

When we think about keeping our dog’s teeth clean, we may first think about getting our dog a toothbrush and some doggy toothpaste, right? Well, teeth brushing is the foundation for good oral health – especially in us humans – and although it is a great way to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy, it’s not always that easy and can be quite time-consuming if your pup isn’t cooperating.

Dog Dental Chews

A very popular dog teeth cleaning option is a dental chew. Similar to chew toys, a dental chew can stimulate their natural need to gnaw while providing entertainment. Dental chews come in all different shapes and sizes, with ridges and groves to help get into the hard-to-reach areas of your pup’s mouth where tartar build-up can occur; you should be able to find the perfect chew for your pup.

Save up to 40% on PetLabCo.® Dog Dental Sticks

Dental Formula

Did you know that there are doggy oral rinses too? Now, we can’t ask our pups to gurgle a mouthwash, but there are other ways that you can introduce an oral rinse to your dog’s teeth cleaning routine. PetLab Co.’s unique dog Dental Formula has been designed to target occasional tartar build-up, especially in those hard-to-reach areas. Plus, the active ingredient, Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide, can help balance oral bacteria for fresh breath while maintaining your dog’s teeth and gum health!

Save up to 40% on PetLabCo.® Dental Formula

Dental Powders

Now, it might not be your first thought when it comes to cleaning your dog’s teeth, but a dental power for dogs could be your perfect option – especially if you’re a pet parent who’s on the go or your dog hates the toothbrush…

PetLabCo.® ProBright® Advanced powder is stress-free and easy to use. It targets tartar, helping to clean teeth and freshen breath. The unique formula contains a powerhouse of ingredients, including Brown Algae, Green Tea, Rosemary Leaf Extract, probiotics & much more to provide your dog with the daily oral hygiene care they deserve.

Simply just give your pup one scoop before, during, or after their mealtime for fresher breath and sparkly clean teeth – it’s that easy!

Save up to 40% on PetLabCo.® ProBright® Advanced powder

Chew Toys

Dogs love to chew… it’s something all us puppy parents – and our shoes – are well aware of. From when our dogs are young puppies, they explore the world with their mouths, putting anything and everything they can in there to learn, entertain, and develop. And, just like human babies, our young pups gnaw on anything they can when teething begins, as this can help soothe the pain…

Chew toys are the perfect way to focus your pup’s need to gnaw on something other than our new shoes, socks, or furniture! 

So, when it comes to cleaning your dog’s teeth, why not take advantage of your dog’s natural need to chew while keeping their mouth squeaky clean! 

A durable rubber treat ball with specially designed grooves can help massage the teeth and gums as your pup happily chews away. And better still, why not pack the treat ball with dog treats – giving them a delicious surprise and keeping them occupied for hours.

A black doodle stands on the beach with a bright orange chew toy in its mouth.
Good oral hygiene is a key part of a healthy lifestyle for dogs of all breeds and lifestages

Regular Vet Check-Ups

One of the best ways to keep your pup’s teeth clean and healthy is by attending regular professional vet appointments and cleanings. An expert will be able to help identify and prevent any potential issues that may occur due to poor oral hygiene. 

Try to visit your vet at least once a year (or twice a year if your dog is prone to dental conditions) for a routine cleaning, where they will be able to remove any harmful tartar and keep on top of your dog’s oral hygiene and health.

Final Thoughts: How To Clean Dog Teeth At Home

Your dog’s dental health is extremely important – not just for their bad breath but also for their overall health, comfort, and wellbeing. Only 8% of owners clean their dogs’ teeth every day, which after reading this blog should change! So, whether you have a pooch that loves a daily toothbrushing or enjoys chewing away on a dental stick, keeping on top of your dog’s teeth cleaning routine is paramount!

Sources

Author Simpson, Sean, “Most (95%) Pet Owners Brush Their Own Teeth Daily, But Few Brush Their Dog’s (8%) or Cat’s (4%) Teeth on a Daily Basis”, Ipsos, Feb 1. 2016, https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/news-polls/most-95-pet-owners-brush-their-own-teeth-daily-few-brush-their-dogs-8-or-cats-4-teeth-daily-basis

Authors Hiscox, Lorraine DVM FAVD Dip. AVDC; Bellows, Jan DVM, Dipl. AVDC, ABVP, “Dental Disease In Dogs”, VCA Animal Hospital, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dental-disease-in-dogs


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DF-14™: Daily Foundation multifunctional health powder for dogs
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Becca TriggB
Written by

Becca Trigg

Becca Trigg is a content creator and pet-industry writer, with over 5 years of experience at PetLab Co. She is an all round animal lover, with a keen interest in canine joint health, dental hygiene and nutrition. When she’s not typing away in the office, she can be found sitting in a country pub, growing chillies or cuddling up with her family dog Maggie, a chocolate Labrador.

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