An important part of your pets overall health and well being is their oral health. Just like us, they can develop periodontal/gum disease which can cause all kinds of serious damage affecting not just their teeth and gums but the heart , liver and kidneys. Just like we humans take preventive steps with our oral health the same should be done with our furry friends. One surprising fact is that roughly 8 out of 10 dogs over the age of three have a dental problem.
One big sign your pet may have a dental issue is bad breath. Other signs of dental issues for cats are brown deposits on teeth that can’t be easily scraped away, bleeding in the mouth and inflamed red gum. For dogs some other signs include discolored teeth, red or swollen gums, difficulty chewing or eating , weight loss, tearing or swelling below one eye, nasal discharge and blood in the saliva.
It is best to clean their teeth on a regular basis and like us have regular dental check ups and cleanings. For dogs and some cats if they are willing to let you, brushing everyday or at least three times a week will help prevent any dental issues. When cleaning their teeth do not use human toothpaste. Based on the personality of your pet, you would have to do a trial and error process to find out what works best. and one needs to have patience, go slow and be gentle. Dogs in general are more likely to let you brush their teeth with cats it just depends on their personality. There are angled toothbrushes that are made specifically for cats and dogs finger brushes too.. Feeding your pet dental kibble, put ting an oral hygiene solution in their water , greenies and chew toys are some other ways to help prevent gum disease in your pet. When picking out chew toys it is best to avoid rawhide products including chews and biscuits, dried natural bones and hard nylon products because they are too hard on the teeth and can damage gums and break teeth. 
A Healthy Pet is a Happy Pet!