Are you supposed to brush a dogs teeth?

[TheGiantSausage]

I realise that is very likely a stupid question but I just saw the thread about the bulldog having his teeth removed and it made me think.
I give my dog a dentastick that I think helps their teeth but should I be actually brushing them? And if so, how often? Twice a day?

TIA

I think you are suppose to but i bet hardly anyone does

I never brush Boo's and the vet remarked that she had wonderful teeth. Can't see how Dentastix would have any affect on mine cos they are wolfed down so quickly. We do give our dogs bones so they do a lot of gnawing, don't know if that helps.

Dentistix are pretty soft and very calorific.

No, but I do give her raw bones, knuckles and chicken carcuss to chew on which helps clean her teeth.

Some people use teeth cleaning gel. No brushing required, just apply on teeth and no water for half an hour afterwards.

I have two dogs, both 8 years old. One has perfect teeth because he's a chewer, constantly. Bits of wood, toys etc. The other had terrible teeth and I took him to the vet. Although she said they weren't that bad (I was just comparing them to my other dog), his breath was like death and he had visible plaque and gum disease. We now brush, couple of times a week with turkey toothpaste from the vet and we also have a lot more chewable foods like pigs ears. His teeth have vastly improved.

My lab aged 9 has perfect teeth apparently. Never cleaned them. He has a dentastik a day.

Our last two dogs, border collies, never had their teeth brushed as they didn't need it.

We now have a miniature poodle and we brush her teeth once a day every day with logic toothpaste as her teeth are awful otherwise.