The 5 Best Dog Toothbrushes to Keep Bad Breath at Bay

Ah, dog breath. We all know it, we all hate it. Fortunately, a proper dental routine can help tame your loveable pooch’s malodorous mouth and keep their teeth strong and healthy for years to come. It all starts with a great toothbrush, which gently removes food particles and plaque and prevents tartar buildup. Besides keeping your dog’s breath fresh, regular brushing keeps her from getting periodontal disease, which leads to inflamed gums and tooth loss. From gentle finger brushes that are ideal for squirmy puppies to three-sided brushes that clean every side of your canine’s canines, we’ve gathered up a list of the very best dog toothbrushes available.

Best Dog Toothbrushes to Consider

When it comes to picking a dog toothbrush, size matters. Puppies who’ve graduated from teething toys and small dogs need small brushes, whereas larger breeds require larger brushes. You should be able to comfortably maneuver the bristles around your dog’s mouth, and the handle needs to be long enough that you can reach your pup’s back teeth. If you have a toy breed, look for specially designed small brushes that offer greater when cleaning their tiny teeth.

Additionally, you’ll want to think about your pup’s personality. If your dog is happy to sit still and let you brush her teeth, a regular toothbrush is great. On the other hand, if she gets nervous or doesn’t like the feeling of a brush, a fingerbrush may be a better option. Fingerbrushes are rubber caps that fit over your index finger, and they have flexible knobs so that you can gently clean your dog’s teeth and gums.

Lastly, think about any extra features that might make a nightly teeth-brushing routine less stressful for you and your dog. Some brushes are dual-sided, meaning they have both a small and a large head so that you can use a different size for different teeth. Other designs are three-sided and clean all sides of each tooth at once, which can be another good option if your dog isn’t the most patient pooch around.

Orgrimmar Three-Sided Pet Dog Toothbrush

If you have a rowdy pup who hates sitting still for more than a few minutes at a time, you know firsthand what a challenge brushing his teeth can be. For pooches who aren’t the most patient, Orgrimmar’s three-sided toothbrush is a convenient choice. Instead of manually scrubbing every side of your dog’s teeth as you do with a traditional brush, this design allows you to clean all sides of every tooth just by brushing along the top.

Since this makes brushing go faster, this is also a good option if your dog is nervous or doesn’t like having his teeth brushed. Keeping your routine short keeps your dog more comfortable, and helps ensure that they don’t get anxious or overwhelmed. Positive reinforcement also helps your pup associate getting his teeth brushed with getting good things, so be sure to reward him with delicious treats afterward for a job well done.

Pros:

• Rubber handle helps you keep your grip
• Dishwasher safe for simple sanitizing
• Works well for both medium and large breeds
• Hangable design for easy storage

Cons:

• Not ideal for very small breeds
• Applying toothpaste to the brush can be a bit awkward

Jasper Dog Toothbrush

Some dogs just can’t stand the feeling of a toothbrush in their mouth, no matter how much time you spend trying to get them used to it. However, this doesn’t mean you should give up on proper dental care. Jasper’s rubber fingerbrush is the perfect choice for sensitive dogs because it’s much gentler and easier for you to control than a standard toothbrush.

The fingerbrush has nubs going all the way around, which gives you 360º control and makes it simpler to reach every nook and cranny. They’re soft and flexible, which also makes them well-suited to dogs who have sensitive or inflamed gums. If you’re concerned about leaving any plaque behind, it can be a good idea to supplement your pup’s oral care routine by giving her tasty bones that will clean and strengthen her teeth as she chews.

Pros:

• The soft bristles are great for sensitive dogs
• Stretches to fit a variety of finger sizes
• Comes with a set of reusable cases to protect the brushes
• Works for small to large breeds

Cons:

• Might not be the best choice if your dog tends to bite down when you brush her teeth
• It’s recommended that you boil these occasionally to sanitize them, which can be inconvenient

Pets & Pupps Pet Toothbrush for Dogs

Picking the right-sized toothbrush for your dog can be tricky, especially if you have a medium breed. This is where Pets & Pupps’ dual-sided toothbrush comes in — it has a full-sized head on one end and a smaller head on the other, so you can use whichever side fits best in your dog’s mouth. Alternatively, you can switch sides depending on whether you’re cleaning her canines or trying to reach back to her molars.

The brush is sturdy and durable, but it’s also designed to protect your pooches’ gums while you scrub. This makes it a good choice if you have a squirmy pup, and minimizes the chances that you’ll accidentally poke her or hurt her gums if she moves her head.

Pros:

• Reasonably priced
• The soft bristles are gentle, but they still remove plaque effectively
• The long handle makes it easy to reach your pup’s back teeth
• Rubberized grip is comfortable to hold

Cons:

• The handle is straight rather than angled, which can make it tricky to reach certain teeth depending on the shape of your dog’s mouth
• The red bristles make it difficult to see if your dog’s gums are bleeding

PenVinoo 360 ° Dog Toothbrushes

It’s always good to have options, and the variety pack from PenVinoo gives you plenty of toothbrushes to choose from. It includes four dual-sided toothbrushes that have 360º silicone-bristled brush heads, which gently clean plaque and bacteria from every tooth. The handles are rubberized and comfortable to hold, so they offer great control while you’re brushing.

Additionally, the pack includes four silicone fingerbrushes that also have 360º silicone bristles, as well as four two-finger toothbrushes. The two-finger brushes are made from soft cotton and nylon, and they’re easy to wash and reuse. They’re gently ribbed, so they do an excellent job of picking up plaque and polishing your pup’s teeth if he needs a deeper clean.

Pros:

• Excellent option if you have multiple dogs
• Durable and easy to clean
• Make with food-grade silicone
• Suitable for both small and large dogs

Cons:

• The fingerbrushes are on the small side
• The straight-handled toothbrushes can be a bit tricky to maneuver

Mind Up Toothbrush for Toy Breed Dogs

If you have a pint-sized fur baby, like a Chihuahua or Pomeranian, you know that a standard-sized toothbrush won’t cut it. When it comes to cleaning tiny teeth, Mind Up’s toothbrush for toy dogs is the way to go. It’s specially designed to fit into your pup’s little mouth without choking her or making her uncomfortable.

The teensy brush head is equipped with just four groups of bristles, ensuring that it cleans just your pup’s teeth and doesn’t irritate her gums. The bristles are soft enough to be gentle, but still stiff enough that they effectively remove plaque and keep your little one’s teeth shiny, healthy, and strong. Proper oral care is especially important for small breeds because their compact jaws can lead to crowding and other dental issues. Additionally, small breeds generally live longer, which means they have more time to develop cavities and periodontal disease.

Pros:

• Angled brush head makes it easier to reach different teeth
• Excellent choice for puppies as well as toy breeds
• The strong handle holds up to a bit of chewing
• Small enough to reach the back teeth without discomfort

Cons:

• May not last very long due to the small number of bristles
• The small head means it can take a while to properly clean your dog’s teeth

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?

Just like humans, it’s best if dogs get their teeth brushed every day. This might seem like an ambitious goal, especially if you haven’t brushed your pup’s teeth before, but start brushing once a week and work up from there. Two or three brushes a week is a minimum, but you can supplement more infrequent brushing with dental toys that help remove plaque as your dog chews.

What kind of toothpaste should I use for my dog?

Although you may enjoy your minty fresh toothpaste, human toothpaste isn’t suitable for dogs because it contains fluoride and occasionally xylitol, which is toxic to pets. Instead, opt for an effective pet-safe toothpaste that your dog will love. The non-foaming formulas are safe to swallow and often come in fido-friendly flavors like beef, chicken, or peanut butter.

How do I get my dog used to getting her teeth brushed?

Before sitting down for a full brush, get your dog comfortable with you touching her mouth, lifting her lips, and rubbing your finger or a dental wipe along her gum line. This might take several sessions, so be sure to reward her with praise and tasty training treats to keep the experiences positive. When your dog is used to sitting still and keeping her mouth open, start using the toothbrush. You may want to work on small sections of teeth at a time to start, but eventually, you should be able to brush all of her teeth in one go.

What should I do if brushing my dog’s teeth doesn’t help his bad breath?

Bad breath comes from bacterial overgrowth and is usually caused by a build-up of plaque and tartar in your pup’s mouth. If you’ve been brushing regularly for a while and haven’t noticed any improvement or have noticed even worse breath, it’s possible your dog has periodontal disease. This means that one or several teeth, or the gums, have begun to rot, and you should take your dog to the vet for a checkup. Increased sensitivity is also a symptom of periodontal disease, so if your dog has stopped chewing his favorite toys or takes a long time to eat hard kibble it could be a sign that his teeth are hurting.

About the Author

Growing up around big dogs, like Collies and Dobermans, Madeleine developed a big appreciation for the care that canines require. These days, she volunteers at a local shelter, where she walks dogs of all sizes. She hopes to share her expertise with dog owners new and old to help them give their canines the quality care they deserve.

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