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The important points, first
- Persistent bad breath, red or bleeding gums, pain or difficulty eating are not normal.
- Brushing removes plaque, not calculus that has already formed.
- To help, it must be daily, introduced gradually and never done on a painful mouth.
- Use a toothbrush and toothpaste recommended by your veterinarian and products with documented efficacy.
Signs that deserve assessment
AAHA reports that by three years of age most dogs and cats have some level of periodontal disease, which often goes unnoticed by owners. Left untreated it causes pain, infection and inflammation and reduces quality of life. Bad breath, red or bleeding gums, loose teeth, drooling, chewing on one side and food refusal can accompany oral disease.
A lack of obvious signs does not rule disease out: much of the tooth and its supporting tissue lies below the gumline. WSAVA and AAHA guidelines therefore include oral examination and dental radiographs under general anaesthesia for a complete assessment.13
Brushing: what it can and cannot do
According to AAHA, brushing removes plaque but not established calculus, and it must be done daily to be of benefit. The Veterinary Oral Health Council considers it the gold standard of home oral care, which can be combined with chews and other products of proven efficacy.
Brushing already inflamed gums causes pain and makes the pet averse: if the mouth is red or sore, ask for an examination first. Even daily brushing does not remove the need for examinations, radiographs and treatment under anaesthesia when the veterinarian recommends them.24
How to get your pet used to brushing
The WSAVA Global Dental Committee toolkit suggests starting at around 6–7 months, once adult teeth have erupted, or after a professional cleaning, while getting the pet used to having its face handled from day one. Pick a fixed time of day: it takes less than two minutes.
Go in small steps and reward each one: first stroke the face and lift the lip; then touch one tooth at a time with a finger; then massage along the gumline, the most important area, with a finger or finger brush and a veterinarian-recommended toothpaste, letting the pet sniff and taste it first; finally move to the toothbrush. Go at your pet’s pace: if it is uncomfortable, stop and try again the next day. It can take a few weeks.5
Products and professional cleaning
The Veterinary Oral Health Council does not test products itself: it reviews study data submitted by companies and awards its seal only when a product demonstrates plaque control, calculus control or both. The seal does not replace veterinary advice, but it helps separate evaluated products from marketing promises. AAHA also advises owners to be aware of the damage inappropriate chew toys can cause.
Many pets, especially middle-aged and older ones, still need periodic professional cleaning. A complete cleaning requires anaesthesia, examination of every tooth surface and treatment of diseased areas; cosmetic cleaning in an awake animal cannot assess below the gumline, and AAHA highlights its risks.412
Sources and checks
Numbers in the text lead to the exact source. Commercial blogs and social posts are not used as evidence.
- 1Veterinary guideline
2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
American Animal Hospital Association · Prevalence by three years of age, consequences of untreated disease, anaesthesia and risks of non-anaesthetic dentistry.
Link checked on 15 Sept 2026 - 2Veterinary guideline
Recommending Products That Meet the Dental Needs of Your Patients
American Animal Hospital Association · Brushing removes plaque not calculus, must be daily, not on inflamed gums; inappropriate chew toys.
Link checked on 15 Sept 2026 - 3Veterinary guideline
Global Dental Guidelines
World Small Animal Veterinary Association · J Small Anim Pract 2020, PMID 32715504 · Global standards for diagnosis, dental radiography, anaesthesia and treatment.
Link checked on 15 Sept 2026 - 4Veterinary guideline
Veterinary Oral Health Council — Seal of Acceptance
Veterinary Oral Health Council · How the seal is awarded, brushing as the gold standard, periodic professional scaling; list of accepted products.
Link checked on 15 Sept 2026 - 5Veterinary guideline
Toothbrushing Toolkit
WSAVA Global Dental Committee · When to start and the gradual steps to introduce daily toothbrushing.
Link checked on 15 Sept 2026
This guide provides general information. Examination frequency, anaesthesia and treatment depend on the individual animal’s mouth and health.