Yorkie Dental Care: Brushing, Treats, and Preventing Disease

Yorkshire Terriers are prone to plaque, tartar, and gum disease because of their small mouths and crowded teeth. Good home care—daily or regular brushing, dog toothpaste, and vet-approved chews—plus professional cleanings when the vet recommends can keep your Yorkie’s mouth healthier and avoid pain and infection. This guide covers what to use, how to brush, and when to get help from a groomer or vet.

Last updated: February 2026 · Reading time: ~8 min

Quick Answer

Yorkie dental care should include daily (or at least several times a week) brushing with a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste (never human—xylitol is toxic), plus vet-approved dental chews in a size safe for small dogs. Yorkies often have crowded teeth and are at high risk for tartar and periodontal disease; untreated dental disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, and infection that can affect the heart and other organs. Have the vet check the mouth at least once a year and schedule a professional dental cleaning under anesthesia when they recommend it. For dogs who won’t tolerate brushing, dental chews and water additives can help but don’t replace brushing and vet care. For a full care list, see grooming tips.

Why Yorkies Need Extra Dental Attention

• Small jaw — Teeth sit close together, so plaque and food trap easily.
• Crowding / retained teeth — Some Yorkies have double or retained baby teeth, which increase tartar and infection risk.
• Breed tendency — Toy breeds are at higher risk for early periodontal disease.

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in small dogs. Prevention and early treatment reduce pain, tooth loss, and risk of bacteria spreading to the rest of the body.

What You Need for Home Dental Care

Item	Why
Dog toothbrush	Small head and soft bristles for a Yorkie’s mouth. Finger brushes work for some dogs.
Dog toothpaste	Must be made for dogs; never human toothpaste (xylitol and fluoride can be toxic). Enzymatic formulas help break down plaque.
Dental chews	Vet-approved, size-appropriate chews (e.g. Greenies Teenie) can help scrape plaque; supervise and choose small-dog sizes.

Check price: Dog toothbrush and toothpaste set (small breed) on Amazon
Check price: Greenies Teenie dental chews on Amazon
Check price: Safe chew options for Yorkies

How to Brush Your Yorkie’s Teeth

1. Introduce slowly — Let your Yorkie sniff the brush and taste a little toothpaste. Reward with praise or a small treat.
2. Lift the lip — Gently lift the upper lip to expose the outer surfaces of the teeth and gums.
3. Brush in small circles — Focus on the gum line (where plaque builds). Do the outer surfaces of the back teeth and canines; inner surfaces are harder but worth trying as your dog tolerates.
4. Keep it short — Even 30–60 seconds is useful. Build up to a full mouth over time.
5. Reward after — Make brushing a positive routine (treat, play, or walk).

If your Yorkie resists, try a finger brush or dental wipes as a step toward brushing. Never force or punish—that makes future brushing harder. For dogs who truly won’t tolerate brushing, dental chews and vet checkups are even more important.

How Often to Brush

• Ideal: Daily.
• Minimum: At least 2–3 times a week to slow plaque and tartar.

Consistency matters more than perfection. Even a few times a week is better than not at all.

Signs of Dental Problems

Sign	What it may mean
Bad breath	Often plaque, tartar, or gum disease.
Red or bleeding gums	Gingivitis or periodontal disease.
Yellow or brown buildup on teeth	Tartar; needs professional cleaning.
Loose or missing teeth	Advanced disease or infection.
Difficulty eating or dropping food	Pain or loose teeth.
Pawing at mouth or face	Pain or discomfort.
Swelling on face or under eye	Possible tooth root abscess—vet soon.

If you see any of these, schedule a vet exam. For severe swelling, pain, or refusal to eat, see the vet promptly.

Professional Dental Cleanings

• Why — Tartar can’t be removed safely or fully by brushing; it must be scaled off under anesthesia. The vet can also extract diseased teeth and treat infection.
• When — The vet will recommend based on exam (and sometimes X-rays). Many small dogs need a cleaning every 1–2 years once disease is present.
• Anesthesia — Dental cleanings are done under general anesthesia so the vet can clean below the gum line and protect the airway. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork and monitoring make it safe for most dogs; discuss your Yorkie’s age and health with the vet.

Avoid “anesthesia-free” or “sedation-only” cleanings offered by non-veterinarians—they don’t clean under the gums or address disease and can stress the dog without solving the problem.

Diet, Chews, and Toys

• Food — Dry kibble can provide some mechanical scraping, but it doesn’t replace brushing or cleanings. Feed a quality diet appropriate for age and weight.
• Dental chews — Use only size-appropriate products (e.g. small-dog Greenies or other vet-approved chews). Supervise chewing; take away when the piece is small enough to swallow. See chew bones for Yorkies for safe options.
• Toys — Hard toys or bones can crack teeth; choose softer, safe chews for daily use. Avoid antlers and weight-bearing bones for small dogs.

Puppy Dental Care

• Teething — Puppies lose baby teeth around 3–6 months. Offer safe chew toys to ease discomfort; avoid hard items that can damage new adult teeth.
• Start brushing early — Get puppies used to having their mouth and teeth touched; introduce toothpaste and brush gently. See bringing home a Yorkie puppy for a care overview.
• Retained baby teeth — If a baby tooth stays when the adult tooth is in, the vet may recommend extraction to prevent crowding and infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I brush my Yorkie’s teeth?

Daily is ideal; at least 2–3 times a week helps. Use a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste; focus on the gum line.

Can I use human toothpaste for my Yorkie?

No. Human toothpaste often contains xylitol (toxic to dogs) and fluoride (unsafe to swallow in the amounts dogs get when brushing). Use only toothpaste made for dogs.

What if my Yorkie won’t let me brush?

Introduce the brush and toothpaste gradually with rewards. Try a finger brush or dental wipes. Rely on vet-approved dental chews (small-dog size) and yearly vet dental exams; the vet may recommend professional cleanings more often if home brushing isn’t possible.

When should my Yorkie have a professional dental cleaning?

The vet will recommend based on exam (and sometimes X-rays). Many Yorkies need a cleaning every 1–2 years once tartar or gum disease is present. Don’t skip cleanings—untreated dental disease causes pain and can affect the heart and other organs.

Do Yorkies lose their teeth?

Yes. Puppies lose baby teeth; adults can lose teeth from advanced periodontal disease, trauma, or infection. Good home care and regular vet care help preserve teeth. If teeth are loose or missing, the vet should evaluate the mouth.

For safe chew options, see chew bones for Yorkies and chew toys for Yorkie puppies. For full grooming routines, see Yorkshire Terrier grooming tips.

This article is for general guidance only. For diagnosis and treatment of dental disease, see your veterinarian.

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