How are your dog’s teeth looking?  When’s the last time you took a careful perusal around your dog’s mouth?  Mouth & dental care is an important aspect of your dog’s health & well-being, and one that is often ignored; sort of an ‘out of sight out of mind’ situation.  

I asked veterinary professionals in my Cooperative Care with Deb Jones Facebook group to tell me what they want people to know about mouth & dental care for their dogs.  Here is their best advice.

*Note: these responses came from multiple sources, were often repeated, and were summarized by me: 

1. Hard bones and chews can cause tooth fractures.  Any chew should have some give to it.  I learned this lesson the hard way!
2. Non-sedated cleanings are NOT recommended.  This was stated repeatedly.  They do not address issues that can be found during typical sedated cleanings.  They cannot get far enough under the gums to do a thorough job and they don’t allow for a complete check of tooth structures.  
3. Your dog can’t tell you when something hurts.  They may eat well and seem fine.  Regular check ups and x-rays, as appropriate, can catch potential issues early.  
4. Don’t worry about brushing/cleaning the inside of your dog’s teeth.  Focus on the plaque you can see on the outside.  
5. Daily brushing/cleaning is ideal, but anything helps. Also note it’s not the toothpaste: it’s the motion & pressure of brushing that works.  
6. Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) accepted products are a good place to start looking for all sorts of dental health items.  
7. NEVER use human toothpaste!
8. A huge factor in dental health is genetics.  Some dogs seem more likely to develop plaque & tartar, even with good care.  Others have a variety of dental issues that will need veterinary intervention.  
9. Neglecting dental care can lead to serious health issues.  Plaque & tartar build up and cause gum inflammation (aka gingivitis).  Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, which can lead to infection and tooth loss.  Catching the issue before it becomes periodontitis is important.  
10. Most dogs are NOT naturally compliant with mouth handling and dental care.  They need a thoughtful systematic introduction.  That’s where my upcoming 3 week course can help.  I can show you how to condition your dog to tolerate mouth & teeth procedures with a step by step approach.  

CLICK HERE for more information about Open Wide: Stress-Free Mouth Handling & Dental Care

*Registration opens Saturday, August 22, 2026 @ 1 pm ET (10 am PT).   Class begins September 1, 2026.

All dogs need dental care.  If your dog needs a sedated dental cleaning that is NOT a failure on your part.  That’s just part of the necessary health care for your dog.  

Thanks to the generous vet professionals in the Facebook group for participating in this discussion.  Your knowledge and insight is much appreciated!

Deborah Jones, Ph.D. is a retired psychology professor who now trains animals full-time.  She has been training for 30+ years and focuses on positive reinforcement based methods.  Deb has written 13 books on dog training and has helped develop several DVD series way back in the day.  She has also trained and shown multiple breeds to high level titles in agility, rally, and obedience.  She is currently teaching online training classes, workshops, and webinars at www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com.  Her latest project is the Cooperative Care Trainer Certificate course.  Visit her website at www.k9infocus.com for her blog and more information.