There is 2 parts to brushing that are vital…plaque removal which can be solved by bones and once a year dental clean from your vet.
The other very important part that you need to do at home involves the toothpaste. The majority of dogs that die young from kidney and heart faliure, it started in their mouth. Dogs swallow the bacteria in their mouth which enters their bloodstreams and shuts down organs. Dog toothpaste has a special enzyme that kills the bacteria in a dogs mouth. If you will put the toothpaste on your finger and rub it on his gums twice a week, you are killing the bacteria and prolonging his life. Let the bones and the vet take care of the plaque!

Red Pony’s post is excellent.
It is best to get puppies used to this from a very young age. (Just like with nail clipping)
Start with putting a little dog toothpaste on your finger and rubbing their gums. I use the chicken-flavoured toothpaste.
I also use the enzymatic chewies as a treat.
Tooth decay can cause major, life-threatening conditions in pets, so it is really important!
Good Luck.

Try the greenies or dental chews and look at your dog’s teeth to see if there is buildup of plaque.
They make a brush you put onto your finger and the paste smells like dog food. Get them used to it now. Also, some dogs are more prone to dental problems. What breed are the pups?

one of my best friends is a vet tech and she told me (when I got my two dogs) that dog teeth-brushing needs to be done by the owner on a VERY regular basis when the dog is a puppy so that it learns that it is just part of life (like sitting, heeling, and other dog-obediance class type of stuff). If you don’t get them used to it early on, it’s almost impossible to do it yourself thoroughly when they grow up.
Then you have to spend bucks to have the vet do it and it involves anesthesia because they must be sedated during the procedure.
If you’re serious about wanting to learn how to brush your dogs teeth, make an appointment with a vet or groomer who can show you the proper method and be sure to do it regularly so your new pups can get used to the sensation. Good luck!

There’s really no alternative to brushing your dog’s teeth and you shouldn’t have to hold him down.
Chews are fine, but most don’t get all the plaque and tartar off the teeth. If you introduce the tooth brushing process slowly to your dog, it should go just fine. Some dogs actually enjoy the process and the beef/chicken flavored tooth paste.
Brushing their teeth regularly also cuts way down on the professional dental cleaning bills and is much healthier for your dog in the long term.

Periodontal disease is a direct result of commercial processed foods!! This is why more than 80% of pet dogs and cats have this condition by the age of three. The best thing for cleaning your dogs’ teeth is a raw meaty bone. This means a large chunk of meat with some bone in it, not a big bone with a bit of meat on it.
By feeding these several times a week your dog is getting a full dental – the meat will polish the teeth, floss between them and massage the gums while the edible bone will scrape off any plaque or tartar. Dogs fed on raw meaty bones have sparkling teeth, healthy gums and fresh breath without the need for brushing or dentals.
*Large weight bearing bones like shin, knuckle and marrow bones may wear down the teeth or even crack them.
*Artificial bones and raw hide are actually more of a choking or blockage risk than a raw bone.
I have three cats (16, 8 and 3) and two dogs (2 1/2 and 10 months). They all have white teeth and even the vet comments on them. Even my 16 year old cat has ALL her teeth.
My sister’s 7 year old dog had really brown teeth and bad breath despite getting dentals under anaesthesia every 6 months. After three months of eating a bone in chicken thigh a few times a week, she now has white teeth and fresh breath.

brushing your dogs teeth is a very good idea and i would highly recommend that over dental bones. Dental bones are a good idea though while the dogs are at a young age but as the dogs get older and calmer they are more prone to dental problems and removal of teeth. When they become calmer and you have taught them how to sit and stay it is a good idea to introduce brushing teeth into a regular thing. Hope i helped

If your vet recommends it and shows you how to brush their teeth then yes do what your vet has shown you. Yes the dental bones do work but they don’t replace brushing their teeth. Some people brush their dogs teeth and some never do or plan on doing it. Either way I am sure your dogs will be healthy.

True confession time–I have never brushed my dogs teeth, they get excellent food, raw bones, rope toys, their teeth are white, gums are healthy, not one of them has ever lost a tooth and the vet comments on how great their mouths look every time the dogs are seen.

I don’t think you need to brush their teeth as much as we brush our teeth because haven’t u ever heard about a dog’s mouth being cleaner than a human’s. I still would recommend brushing their teeth at least twice a month to be safe.Or more if you think it is dirty

if you don’t. it’s a sin. and you’ll go to hell, you’ll go to helland you’ll die.

Those dental bones do help, but you do need to brush their teeth. I’m sure a pet groomer/vet can show you how to handle it.

Things such as chews do not replace actually brushing the dog’s teeth.
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this is what happens to ur dogs if they dont have proper dental care
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFY93iddz6A

you take a toothbrush, you put toothpaste on it, and you brush like there is no tomorrow.

brushing cleans but the bones refreshes the breath we give my puppy the bones because he crys if we brush them

yes go to your pet store and ask

You dont have to but it helps with their bad breath if brushed regularly.

Yes you should but it depends on what you are feeding them.

lol brushing dogs teeth