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How to Clean a Dachshund's Teeth: Complete Guide 2026

How to Clean a Dachshund's Teeth: The Complete Method for Healthy Gums

A dachshund has 42 teeth packed into a long, narrow jaw, which makes an ideal breeding ground for tartar. Without regular care, plaque builds up within days and opens the door to gingivitis, bad breath and, eventually, loose teeth. Here is how to clean your dachshund's teeth, how often to do it, and how to get your doxie to accept brushing without a fight.

The essentials: To clean a dachshund's teeth, brush them 2 to 3 times a week with a dog toothbrush (or a finger brush) and an enzymatic dog toothpaste, never human toothpaste, which is toxic to dogs. Get your puppy used to it from 2 to 3 months by first touching the gums with your finger, then introducing the brush gradually. Add chew toys and dental chews, a kibble-based diet and a yearly vet checkup. A professional cleaning under anesthesia (about €120 to €500, roughly $130 to $540) becomes necessary once tartar has already set in. The miniature dachshund, with its smaller jaw, is especially prone to it.

Why dachshunds need special dental care

Like all adult dogs, the dachshund has 42 teeth: incisors, canines, premolars and molars. In this breed they sit in a long, narrow jaw inherited from its past as an earth dog able to grip its quarry firmly underground. This compact anatomy leaves little space between the teeth, which encourages the buildup of plaque and, very quickly, tartar.

Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that constantly settles on the enamel. Within 24 to 72 hours, if it isn't removed mechanically, it mineralizes and turns into tartar, the hard yellowish deposit that clings to the tooth. Tartar irritates the gum, causes gingivitis, and can progress to periodontal disease, which destroys the tissue supporting the tooth.

⚠️ The miniature dachshund is the most exposed. Its even smaller jaw crowds the teeth against one another. This predisposition to tartar has nothing to do with coat color or coat type: a miniature dachshund needs stricter dental hygiene than a large dog.

Beyond bad breath, a neglected mouth affects your dog's whole health. Dental bacteria pass into the bloodstream and can weaken the heart, kidneys and liver. Taking care of your dachshund's teeth therefore also means protecting their body and contributing to their longevity.

Signs of a dental problem to watch for

A dachshund won't complain about a toothache. They often keep eating despite the pain, which makes mouth problems easy to overlook. Check your dog's mouth once a week and watch for these signals:

  • Persistent bad breath: the most common and earliest sign. Strong, unpleasant breath betrays bacterial overgrowth.
  • Yellowish or brown deposits on the teeth, especially at the base near the gum line and on the back molars.
  • Red, swollen gums that bleed at the slightest touch: a sign of gingivitis.
  • Excessive drooling or blood-tinged saliva.
  • Difficulty chewing: a dog that eats on one side only, spits out kibble or loses their appetite.
  • A loose or missing tooth, or a dog that rubs their muzzle with a paw.
🚨 See a vet right away if you notice bleeding gums, a wobbly tooth, swelling of the face or a complete refusal to eat. These signs point to an advanced infection that needs prompt veterinary care.

The gear you need to clean your dachshund's teeth

You don't need complicated equipment. Three items are enough for effective brushing.

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A dog toothbrush

Choose a brush with a small head and soft bristles, suited to the dachshund's small mouth. A finger brush, a silicone cap that slips over your index finger, is ideal for getting started and for reluctant dogs.

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An enzymatic dog toothpaste

Formulated to be swallowed safely and often flavored (poultry, beef) so it feels like a treat. The enzymes attack plaque even when the brushing isn't perfect.

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Rewards and a chew toy

To tie the routine to a positive moment and extend the cleaning action between brushings. You'll find suitable chew toys in the dachshund accessories.

🚨 Never use human toothpaste. It often contains too much fluoride and, above all, xylitol, a sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs and can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar. Use only toothpaste made for dogs.

How to brush a dachshund's teeth, step by step

Success comes down to patience. A dachshund who has had one forced session will refuse the next ones. The goal of the first few times isn't to brush perfectly, but to make the experience pleasant. Plan on 1 to 2 weeks of gradual training.

  1. Pick a calm moment. After a walk, when your dachshund is relaxed and a little tired. Settle them on your lap or next to you in a reassuring position.
  2. Get them used to the touch. For a few days, gently lift their lip and touch their gums and teeth with your finger. Reward every time.
  3. Let them taste the toothpaste. Put a dab of dog toothpaste on your finger and let them lick it. They should link it to something good.
  4. Introduce the brush. Apply toothpaste to the finger brush or toothbrush and let your dachshund sniff and chew on it without pressure.
  5. Brush a small area at a time. Lift the lip and brush in gentle circular motions, at a 45-degree angle toward the gum. Start with the canines and the big back teeth, where tartar builds up the most.
  6. Focus on the outer surface. This is where plaque accumulates the most. The inner surface, cleaned by the tongue, is less of a priority.
  7. End on a positive note. Praise, pet, and offer a reward. Each session builds their confidence for the next one.
🎯 The Teckel Paris tip

Don't try to brush everything on day one. Twenty seconds accepted happily beat two minutes endured in stress. Add a little time with each session until you reach 1 to 2 minutes spread across the whole mouth.

How often to clean a dachshund's teeth

Plaque reforms constantly. Ideally you'd brush daily, as people do, but a realistic and already very effective schedule is at least 2 to 3 times a week. Below that, tartar takes over again.

Age / situation Recommended frequency Goal
Puppy (2 to 6 months) Gentle handling every day Get used to the touch, without forcing
Healthy adult 2 to 3 times a week Keep plaque from mineralizing
Miniature dachshund or tartar-prone dog 3 times a week to daily Make up for the narrow jaw
After a dental cleaning Daily if possible Delay tartar from coming back
✅ Good to know: the earlier you start, the easier it is. A dachshund puppy used to brushing from the day they arrive will accept it as a normal routine for life.

Alternatives to brushing

If your dachshund flatly refuses the brush, or to complement brushing, several solutions help limit tartar. None fully replaces brushing, but combined, they make a real difference.

  • Dental chews and treats: their texture and shape scrub the tooth while chewing. Count them in the daily ration to avoid weight gain.
  • Textured chew toys: they keep teeth clean while keeping your dog busy. Check out the best toys for dachshunds.
  • Chewable toothpaste and enzymatic sticks: a chemical action with no brushing needed.
  • Water additives and powders: they reduce bacteria and freshen breath, as a supplement.
  • Dental spray: handy for hard-to-reach areas and very reluctant dogs.
⚠️ Be careful with bones and antlers. They are too hard and can break a dachshund's tooth. Choose softer chews of a suitable size, and always supervise your dog while they chew.

Professional dental cleaning: when and how much

Once tartar has already set and hardened, no amount of brushing will remove it: only a professional cleaning at the clinic can handle it. It is done under general anesthesia, which lets the vet clean every tooth, including below the gum line, polish the enamel and remove teeth that are too damaged.

The price of a dental cleaning generally ranges from €120 to €500 (roughly $130 to $540) depending on the clinic, the condition of the mouth and any extractions. When it is prescribed to treat a condition rather than as simple prevention, it may be partly covered by pet health insurance, depending on the plan you have.

📅 The right habit

Have your dachshund's mouth checked at every annual visit. The vet can spot subgingival tartar that is invisible to the naked eye and will tell you whether a cleaning has become necessary. Regular care at home spaces these procedures out considerably.

Preventing tartar day to day

The best dental care is still prevention. Beyond brushing, a few simple habits slow the appearance of tartar in dachshunds.

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Favor kibble

Chewing kibble has a mechanical action that limits plaque buildup, whereas a diet that is too soft encourages it. Find our advice in the guide to dachshund food.

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Avoid sugar and table scraps

Foods rich in sugar and starch feed the bacteria in plaque. Leftovers from human meals should be kept out of your dachshund's bowl.

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Check the mouth every week

A weekly look at the gums and teeth lets you act before tartar sets in. Build it into your grooming routine, along with ear cleaning and nail trimming.

FAQ: your questions about dachshund teeth

How often should you brush a dachshund's teeth?
At least 2 to 3 times a week, ideally every day. The miniature dachshund, more prone to tartar because of its narrow jaw, benefits from daily brushing or at least 3 times a week.
Can you use human toothpaste on a dachshund?
No, never. Human toothpaste often contains xylitol, which is toxic to dogs, and isn't designed to be swallowed. Use only an enzymatic toothpaste formulated for dogs, which is safe if ingested.
At what age should you start cleaning a dachshund puppy's teeth?
From 2 to 3 months, with gentle handling of the mouth to get them used to the touch. Actual brushing with a toothbrush can begin once the adult teeth are in, around 6 to 7 months, but early training is the key to acceptance.
How do you remove tartar that is already on a dachshund's teeth?
Hardened tartar won't come off with brushing. Only a professional veterinary cleaning under anesthesia removes it completely. Regular brushing and chew products then help keep it from coming back too quickly.
My dachshund has bad breath. Is it serious?
Strong, persistent breath is the first sign of plaque and bacteria buildup, often of early gingivitis. It isn't inevitable: regular brushing and a vet checkup can identify the cause and fix it.
Are dental treats enough to clean the teeth?
They help reduce plaque and freshen breath, but they don't replace brushing, which remains the most effective method. Think of them as a supplement and count them in the daily ration to avoid weight gain.
How much does a dental cleaning cost for a dachshund?
Generally between €120 and €500 (roughly $130 to $540), depending on the clinic, how much tartar there is and any extractions. Pet health insurance may cover part of it when it treats a confirmed condition.
How many teeth does a dachshund have?
An adult dachshund has 42 teeth, like most dogs: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars and 10 molars, set in a long, narrow jaw.

Cleaning your dachshund's teeth is one of the most worthwhile preventive steps for their health. Two to three brushings a week with a dog toothpaste, backed by chew toys, a kibble diet and a yearly vet checkup, are enough to keep tartar at bay and spare your dog the pain of periodontal disease. The golden rule is gentleness and consistency: a short session accepted happily beats a forced brushing. To equip your companion with chew toys and care accessories, explore our selection of dachshund accessories, designed for the well-being of the sausage dog.

Health & Wellness Tips – Teckel Paris

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