Papillon dental health: chews vs brushing value

Small breeds like Papillons are genuinely at higher risk for dental disease — their teeth are often crowded into jaws that simply weren't built to accommodate them, and that speeds up tartar build-up and gum disease considerably. What makes it worse is that dental disease is one of the most common sources of chronic pain in dogs, and owners rarely spot it until a vet flags it. So — what's your Papillon's name and age, has a vet mentioned any dental concerns at check-ups, and is your dog the type who'd tolerate a toothbrush, or is that a battle you'd rather avoid?

Good news: Biscuit being tolerant of handling puts you in a genuinely strong position here. To answer your question directly — brushing wins on value, and it's not particularly close. Dental chews cost you £10–£15 a month for something that works mechanically on the chewing surface, misses the gum line almost entirely, and adds calories you don't really want. Brushing costs you almost nothing once you have a decent toothpaste and brush, and it's the only method that actually disrupts the plaque at the gum line, which is exactly where gum disease starts. At 4, with tartar already showing, the gum line is where you want your attention. Can I ask — has Biscuit ever had a professional dental clean, or has the vet said one might be coming up? That would help me give you a sharper picture of where brushing fits right now.

They're not all the same, and this is one area where the product genuinely matters. The one I'd point you to is Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste — it's the one vets most commonly recommend and for good reason. It contains glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase, which are enzymes that actively break down plaque rather than just physically scrubbing it away. That matters for Biscuit because even on days where brushing is a bit rushed or she's less cooperative, the enzymatic action is still doing work. It comes in a poultry flavour that most small dogs accept readily, which helps with compliance. A tube lasts a couple of months easily, so you're looking at well under £2 a month once you're in the habit — versus £10–£15 on chews that are doing a fraction of the job. Pair it with a finger brush or a small-headed soft brush, spend 60 seconds on it three or four times a week, and you're giving yourself a real chance of holding off that professional clean.

For a Papillon specifically, I'd actually suggest a small-headed dog toothbrush over a finger brush once she's comfortable with the process. Finger brushes are great for getting a dog used to the sensation — good for early training — but they don't give you the same reach and angle control at the gum line that a proper brush does. Papillons have quite a narrow muzzle, so a dedicated small dog toothbrush lets you get into the back molars more reliably. Start with the finger brush for a week or two if you think she needs easing in, then transition. The Virbac CET kit actually comes bundled with both a finger brush and a dual-headed toothbrush, which makes it an easy starting point and keeps the cost low.

You're in a good spot — catching it at 4 with no serious disease yet and a dog who'll cooperate is the best possible starting point. Stick to three or four sessions a week minimum, focus on the gum line rather than just the tooth surface, and mention to your vet at the six-month check that you've started a brushing routine. They'll likely be pleased and it gives you a real benchmark to measure against. Good luck to you and Biscuit.