Plaque and tartar buildup can progress to severe oral health problems. Brushing removes plaque from tooth surfaces and beneath the gumline before it mineralizes into calculus. It is best to use toothbrushes and toothpastes that are specifically designed for pets.

sarah Prall / Arizona daily star 1997

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Oral disease is the No. 1 health problem in dogs, with as many as 80 percent of dogs showing signs of oral disease by age 3.

What starts out as plaque and tartar (calculus) buildup may progress into diseases such as periodontal disease (gums and bony support structures for teeth are eaten away) and systemic problems with vital organs such as the liver, kidneys and heart.

Veterinarian Jan Bellows, a dental specialist who owns Hometown Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic in Weston, Fla., said there are many reasons why some dogs are more prone to periodontal disease than others. In general, the risk of oral disease is related to:

● Breed: Small breeds are more prone to dental disease because their teeth are crowded together and don't self-clean as well; the bone around their teeth is thinner and thus is destroyed faster; and smaller dogs live longer, giving dental disease a longer time to do damage.

● Health: Animals in poor health can't fight the bacteria that lead to periodontal disease.

● Diet: Pets that are malnourished or fed soft food are more likely to have dental problems than those that eat hard food.

● Age: Older animals have more time to form plaque and calculus — and more time for periodontal disease to do damage.

For good oral health, a pet owner needs to take three steps. The first two directly involve the veterinarian, and the third relies on the pet owner for success:

● Ask your veterinarian to check your pet's mouth and discuss a personalized dental health program, including diet and daily tooth care.

● Ask your vet to monitor your pet's oral health at regular intervals. Experts now recommend twice yearly. See www.npwm.com.

● Following the recommendations of your veterinarian, start a dental-care program at home.

In a "scout's honor" version of practicing what I preach as a veterinarian, my family takes many steps at home to promote optimal dental health in the Becker dogs, including regular brushing, feeding dry foods and using gels weekly and wipes daily, as well as enzyme-impregnated chews.

But nothing we do is more important than brushing our dogs' teeth. It's so important that my wife, Teresa, does it to make sure it gets done.

Brushing removes plaque from tooth surfaces and beneath the gumline before it mineralizes into calculus. This is the single most important step, and Bellows stresses that success depends on the pet owner being able to brush the pet's teeth daily.

Pet toothbrushes are specifically made to reach the back teeth of large-muzzled dogs (such as collies) or with small heads to fit into the mouths of toy breeds (such as Chihuahuas). I recommend a double-headed pet toothbrush by Petosan that has dual brushes angled toward the teeth and gumline for optimal plaque removal. And similar to a carwash, the brushes clean both surfaces of the teeth at the same time (www.petosan.com).

Bellows warns owners not to share toothbrushes among pets so they don't cross-contaminate one another.

Don't use toothpaste made for humans because it contains detergents that can irritate a dog's stomach if they're swallowed, as well as fluoride, which can harm pets. I use and recommend Petrodex fish- or poultry-flavored toothpastes (www.virbaccorp.com).

Bellows gives five steps for brushing a pet's teeth the right way:

● Place the pet's head at a 45-degree angle, causing the jaws to loosen.

● Pull the lips back gently with the same hand used to hold the head at an angle.

● Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and gums and use circular motions.

● Brush for about five strokes for each one of the four quadrants (right and left upper and lowers). Concentrate on the outside tooth surfaces.

● When you're finished, give the pet a reward — a small treat or, better yet, lots of "good girls" or "attaboys."

With dedicated veterinary and at-home dental care, your pet will live a healthier, happier, fuller life with what I call "kissable breath," so you won't be wincing when your best four-legged friend is sleeping nose-to-nose with you at night.