Labs chew everything, and their teeth pay for it. Keeping Labrador teeth healthy comes down to a short routine: daily brushing, safe chews and a yearly vet check. In my view, chews should be soft enough to pass the fingernail test, and the toothpaste should always be made for dogs. Add a professional cleaning when your vet recommends one, and most Labs keep a healthy mouth for life.
Here’s the routine I’d follow:
| Habit | How often | My take |
|---|---|---|
| Brush with dog toothpaste | Daily if you can | The gold standard |
| Quick mouth check at home | Weekly | Look, sniff, lift the lip |
| VOHC-approved dental chew | Daily or as labeled | A helper, not a substitute |
| Vet oral exam | Every year | More often for seniors |
| Professional cleaning | When your vet advises | Always under anesthesia |
If daily brushing feels like a lot, start with every other day and build up. Some brushing beats none, by a wide margin.
When Lab puppies get and lose their teeth
Lab puppies go through two full sets of teeth in their first months. According to PetMD’s puppy teething guide, the timeline looks like this:
| Age | What’s happening |
|---|---|
| About 3 weeks | Baby teeth start coming in |
| 6 to 8 weeks | All 28 baby teeth are in |
| 3½ to 5 months | Baby teeth start falling out |
| Around 6 months | Most of the 42 adult teeth are in |
You probably won’t find many of the lost baby teeth, because puppies often swallow them. That’s normal. If a baby tooth is still there next to the adult tooth, mention it at your next vet visit, since a retained baby tooth can crowd the adult one.
Helping a teething Lab puppy
Teething Labs chew harder and more often, and that’s when shoes and table legs disappear. PetMD notes that cold helps reduce gum discomfort, so chilled toys are a good first move.
What I’d reach for:
- A rubber chew toy, chilled in the fridge or freezer
- Frozen carrots
- A wet washcloth, twisted and frozen, to chew under supervision (cheap, and I think it’s underrated)
- Puzzle toys
Skip ice cubes, though. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center advises not letting dogs chomp on ice cubes, though licking and chasing them is fine. If your puppy is chewing everything in sight, my guide on Labs chewing on everything has more ideas for redirecting it.
How to brush a Lab’s teeth
Daily brushing is the gold standard for preventing dental disease, according to the dental vets quoted in the AKC’s article on dental cleanings. Starting while your Lab is young makes it far easier, but adult dogs can learn too.
Here’s how I’d build the habit:
- Use toothpaste made for dogs. Never use human toothpaste, because some contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs
- Let your Lab lick a little off your finger for a few days
- Lift the lip and rub your finger along the teeth
- Switch to a dog toothbrush or finger brush, working in small circles along the gum line
- Focus on the back teeth
- Finish with praise
Most Labs accept brushing once they realize the toothpaste tastes like chicken. Go slowly in the first week, and stop before your dog gets fed up.
This short video from Pet Circle covers a few more vet tips for home dental care:
Choosing a toothbrush and toothpaste
I don’t think you need fancy gear, but the right toothpaste makes brushing far easier with a Lab. Dog toothpaste comes in flavors like poultry, beef and peanut butter, and it’s made to be swallowed, since dogs can’t spit.
Here’s how the common brush options compare:
| Tool | Best for | Downside | My take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finger brush | Puppies, beginners | Less reach on back teeth, and Lab teeth are sharp | A good first week tool |
| Dual-headed dog toothbrush | Most adult Labs | Takes practice to angle | My everyday pick |
| Soft child’s toothbrush | Budget option | Shorter handle | Works fine with dog toothpaste |
| Dental wipes | Dogs who refuse a brush | Doesn’t clean the gum line as well | Better than nothing |
Look for a toothpaste with the VOHC seal if you want one with proven plaque control, and never use human toothpaste. Many contain xylitol or fluoride levels that aren’t safe for dogs to swallow.
I’d replace the brush every few months, or sooner if your Lab chews it. And keep it somewhere he can’t reach, because a chicken-flavored toothbrush on the bathroom counter is exactly the kind of thing a Lab will steal.
Which chews are safe for Lab teeth
Labs are power chewers, which makes chew choice a real dental issue. Cornell’s guide to fractured teeth in dogs says to avoid antlers, hooves and bones, which can break a tooth or splinter and cause stomach problems.
The rule of thumb many vet dentists use is the fingernail test:
- Press your fingernail into the chew
- If it leaves a dent, the chew is generally soft enough
- If it doesn’t (antlers, hard nylon, cooked bones), it’s hard enough to crack a tooth
A broken tooth can mean an extraction or a root canal. Both cost far more than any chew. I’d rather replace soft toys often than pay for a broken tooth. My roundup of the best toys for Labs leans toward tough rubber for exactly this reason.
Dental chews and the VOHC seal
Dental chews can help, but I think only some of them are backed by evidence. Look for the VOHC seal, from the Veterinary Oral Health Council, on the pack.
The VOHC reviews manufacturers’ trial data and awards its seal to products that reduce plaque or tartar by a set amount. Its list of accepted products includes chews, toothpastes, water additives and some dental diets. I’d check it before buying anything that claims to clean teeth.
Even the best chew is a helper. Brushing still does the main job, and my post on whether dental chews are a good option for Labs goes deeper on choosing one.
Common dental problems in Labs
Most dental trouble in Labs falls into a few categories. Gum disease is the big one, and the AVMA notes that most dogs show some signs of periodontal disease by the time they’re 3 years old. Labs also break and wear teeth more than many breeds, simply because of how much they chew.
Here’s the watch list I’d keep:
| Problem | What causes it | What you might see |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | Plaque and tartar under the gum line | Bad breath, red gums, loose teeth |
| Fractured teeth | Hard chews, rocks, crate bars | A chipped tooth, chewing on one side |
| Worn teeth | Constant chewing on abrasive things | Flat, short or discolored teeth |
| Retained baby teeth | A baby tooth that didn’t fall out | Two teeth in one spot |
| Tooth root abscess | Infection, often from a broken tooth | Swelling below the eye |
Tennis balls deserve a mention here, because Labs adore them. Based on my research, the fuzzy felt is abrasive, especially once it picks up dirt and sand, and vet dentists often see worn-down teeth in dogs that chew balls for hours. Fetch is fine. I’d just put the ball away rather than letting your Lab chew it on the couch all evening.
The big upper cheek tooth on each side, the carnassial, takes the most force when a Lab chews something hard. It’s one of the teeth most often broken, and a break there is easy to miss unless you lift the lip and look.
Warning signs of dental problems
Dental problems hide well. Dogs keep eating through a lot of pain, so I wouldn’t count on appetite as your warning. A quick weekly look in your Lab’s mouth catches most problems early.
Book a vet visit if you notice:
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- A broken or discolored tooth
- Dropping food, or chewing on one side
- Walking up to the food bowl and then walking away, which Cornell lists as a sign of a painful broken tooth
- Swelling on the face, especially below the eye
- New or heavier drooling
Your vet knows your dog, so don’t wait for the next annual visit if something looks wrong. Facial swelling needs a vet visit the same day.
Why dental health matters for the whole body
A sore mouth isn’t the only problem with dental disease. The bacteria in an infected mouth don’t stay there. The AVMA points out that dental disease is linked with changes in organs like the heart, kidneys and liver, which is why vets take bad breath more seriously than most owners do.
From my experience, the bigger surprise for owners is how much better an older dog can feel after dental treatment. A dog who’s been quietly coping with a painful tooth for months often seems younger once it’s dealt with, eating more happily and playing more.
Here’s what I’d take from that:
- Treat bad breath as a symptom, not a personality trait
- Ask for a dental check at every yearly exam, and twice a year for seniors
- Budget for professional cleanings, since most Labs need several in a lifetime
- Start brushing young, while your Lab is easy to handle
Prevention is far cheaper than extractions. A tube of dog toothpaste and two minutes a day costs less than a single tooth removal under anesthesia.
Professional cleanings, and why anesthesia matters
At some point, most Labs need a professional cleaning. Tartar above the gum line is only part of the problem, because most dental disease sits below the gum line, where you can’t see it.
That’s why a proper cleaning happens under anesthesia, with a full exam, dental X-rays, and scaling above and below the gum line. “Anesthesia-free” cleanings sound gentler, but the AKC article reports that the American Veterinary Dental College strongly opposes them, because they can’t clean below the gum line or take X-rays. One vet dentist quoted there says that without X-rays, about 30% of dental disease can be missed.
If anesthesia worries you, I’d ask your vet about the pre-anesthetic blood work and monitoring they use. Those questions are fair, and a good clinic will answer them. The VCA’s guide to dental disease in dogs is a good next read on what happens when dental disease goes untreated.
FAQ
When do Lab puppies lose their baby teeth?
Most Lab puppies start losing baby teeth at 3½ to 5 months. By about 6 months, most of their 42 adult teeth are in. Puppies often swallow the baby teeth, which is harmless. If a baby tooth stays in next to an adult tooth, ask your vet to take a look.
How often should I brush my Lab’s teeth?
Daily is best, and several times a week at minimum. Plaque builds up quickly, so frequent short sessions work better than an occasional long one. Use dog toothpaste only, never human toothpaste, since some contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Are antlers and bones safe for Labs to chew?
No, I’d avoid them. Cornell’s canine health center advises against antlers, hooves and bones because they can break teeth or splinter. Use the fingernail test: if you can’t dent the chew with your fingernail, it’s probably too hard for your Lab’s teeth.
Is anesthesia-free teeth cleaning okay for my Lab?
No, vet dental specialists advise against it. The American Veterinary Dental College strongly opposes anesthesia-free cleaning, because it can’t clean below the gum line or include X-rays, where most dental disease hides. A cleaning under anesthesia with a full exam is the safer choice.
Do dental chews replace brushing?
No, they help but don’t replace brushing. Chews with the VOHC seal have evidence that they reduce plaque or tartar, so they’re a good addition. Brushing still removes plaque far more effectively, and your vet’s annual oral exam catches what neither can.
My last word on Lab teeth
A Lab’s mouth gets a lot of use, from tennis balls to the occasional stolen sock. Brush often, and choose chews that pass the fingernail test. I’d also let your vet look in there every year. Your Lab won’t thank you for the toothbrush. Their older self will.
