I told an acquaintance that I had my dog’s teeth cleaned. The dog is two years old and I used to brush her teeth about two or three times a week. Now that her teeth have been professionally cleaned I plan to brush her teeth every night to keep her healthy and happy. She likes the taste of the doggie toothpaste.
That acquaintance told me she’s never heard of doing any such thing. She’s had dogs before and every vet she’s met told her it’s not necessary to brush your dog’s teeth.
How important do you feel proper dental hygiene is for your dog?
From what my vet told me, it’s pretty important. Keeping the pup’s teeth clean eliminates doggie breath and prevents decay problems.
That said, I don’t brush Da Pooch’s teeth every day, more like once a week or so. She mainly gets dry dog food (Science Diet) which is pretty good at not building up on her teeth anyway. I had her teeth professionally cleaned when she turned 5 so it’s pretty much doing maintenance after.
FWIW she doesn’t like the handled brush. I have a little rubber finger-thingy with a soft brush where the finger tip is. I just squirt a little of her favorite toothpaste (chicken flavor, for the curious) and buff away at the teeth. She “grins”–she enjoys the process-- but of course licks madly so it’s actually kinda fun for both of us. She has a set of very impressive, large, white teeth.
Veb
Hell, I don’t even brush my own teeth everyday! The dog? Are you kidding? 
Dogs lick thier own butt, they don’t need thier teeth brushed. What you need to do is keep your mouth and nose away from his mouth. Please see one of my favorite sig lines below.
Never kiss an animal that can lick its own butt.
Yep. It is important.
I knew someone years ago who not only brushed her German shepard’s teeth daily, but FLOSSED them, too. Wow.
What do you mean daily, that’s assuming I brush them. I gave him milk bones, for strong bones and teeth, but that’s it.
I’ve loved the dogs I’ve had and everything, but no way am I brushing their teeth.
I brush FatCat’s teeth once a week… Well, okay, so I’ve been lax lately (he’s out of toothpaste).
He still had to have a major cleaning at the vet’s once (which meant anestheic and I can putting my cat in snoozeville because there is always risk).
He loves the malt flavoured toothpaste. The toughest part is to keep him from turning his head to lick the bursh when I’m trying to get his side teeth. He loves it so to him it’s “treat time.”
I haven’t brushed SkinnyCat’s teeth yet because she’s so squirmy.
The brush I have has got a short handle, but is shaped differently than a human toothbrush.
Here’s some quick info on what home dental care is available for pets (including brushing and special dental treats and diets, as well as a dental spray) and some do’s and don’ts (such as DON’T use human toothpaste).
Dental Home Care