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.

Protect your Pet's Teeth with the Right Diet

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.

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