Just as people's teeth can, pets may be affected by a variety of dental diseases if their teeth are not given regular attention. While cavities tend to occur more infrequently in pets, dental diseases can cause bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums, and loose teeth. These problems can lead to your pet having difficulty eating, as well as causing them severe pain.

Over time, your pet's teeth and gums become coated in a thin layer of material from food particles, dead cells and saliva. As this layer thickens, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that cause dental diseases. If the layers are left undisturbed for a long period of time, your pet may eventually develop diseases such as gingivitis (inflammation and infection) and periodontitis, in which the deep tissue of the gums become infected. In extreme cases, periodontal infection may spread to other parts of the body, including vital organs.

Make a point of asking your veterinarian to check your pet's teeth each time you visit. They should check for potential problems such as plaque deposits and gingivitis, as well as swelling, and broken or loose teeth. If your vet notices any serious problems they may recommend an X-ray for a more thorough investigation, or tooth extraction, or treatment for gum disease.

The most effective way to prevent development of dental diseases is by cleaning your pet's teeth at regular intervals. This is also the best way of fighting ‘dog breath', as almost all cases of bad breath in pets are caused by gum diseases that are the result of infection or plaque build-up.

Cleaning your pet's teeth is much easier if you start while they are young. Between three and twelve months is an ideal time to start. If you are starting with an older pet, getting them used to having their teeth brushed will be more difficult, and it may take a little longer before you can brush their teeth successfully.

Whatever your pet's age, it's best to start the process slowly, so they can get used to having their mouth and teeth handled closely. Start out by holding your pet in a comfortable position that offers you easy access to the mouth. When they're calm, lift their lips to look at the teeth. Hold the position for a few seconds, then stop and give your pet a small treat, to encourage them to behave well when you're handling their mouth.

Once you and your pet are comfortable with this process, you can attempt brushing their teeth. For this you will need a special pet tooth brush as well as tooth paste that has been made for animal use. Human tooth paste should not be used for pets, as it is harmful when swallowed, and as cats and dogs cannot spit, they will be unable to prevent themselves from swallowing the paste. Animal tooth pastes are available in flavors such as beef and chicken, so your pets will find these much more palatable, too.

The next step is to brush your pet's teeth. Again, find a comfortable position-if your pet is large, they'll usually be most comfortable on the floor, whereas a puppy or small pet can be held in your lap. Start by lifting your pet's lips, and then brush the teeth using circular motions. Be sure to brush at the gum line, and pay particular attention to your pet's molars, as these areas are the most vulnerable to dental diseases.

For the first few brushes, your pet will likely not want to sit still while you brush all their teeth. It's best to start out by brushing just two or three teeth the first few times you brush, and then gradually increase the number of teeth you brush over each session. Give your pet a small treat after each brushing, to reinforce their good behavior, and aim to brush their teeth at least twice a week.

Dental diseases are more likely to occur in your pets if their diets solely consist of soft foods, because these foods are more likely to leave deposits at the base of the pet's teeth. Regular brushing is important, but so too is feeding your pet foods that will not lead to the development of deposits that allow bacteria to thrive.

Make soft foods such as meats a treat for your pets, rather than their regular diet. Instead, feed them mostly on dry food-remember to provide them with plenty of water-and give your dogs uncooked bones or chew toys. These are ideal for pets, because they have rough surfaces that help to remove built-up food deposits.