A coworker was pet-sitting for her mother’s two dogs, and she mentioned her promise to brush their teeth every day. Every day? I know that dental care is important for pets, but who brushes their dogs’ teeth every day? Is that even a good thing?

The American Veterinary Medical Association says that daily brushing really is best but suggested that at least we try to brush them several times a week.

As with humans, poor canine dental health can lead to more than just mouth pain and tooth loss. Food particles and bacteria can cause plaque along the gum line, which can harden into tartar over time. Tartar can irritate the gums even further and lead to periodontal disease and infections that can travel through the bloodstream to the liver, kidneys and heart. So yes, we need to brush our dogs’ teeth — frequently.

It’s best if you can get your dog’s dental routine started when he’s a puppy. You can use a regular doggy toothbrush, a fingertip doggy toothbrush or just use a piece of gauze to clean his teeth, but make sure you don’t use toothpaste designed for humans, as it can upset his stomach.

At first, it is important just to get him used to the idea of having his teeth brushed, so if you don’t have doggy toothpaste, plain water will do just fine. You may find that he likes the flavored toothpaste you can find at any pet store.

Start slowly, and try to make the experience fun. Get him used to having your fingers in his mouth by letting him lick something tasty off your finger, then casually rubbing that finger on his lips or teeth.

Over the next several days, get him used to having you touch his muzzle, teeth and gums by rewarding him with special treats. If allowing you to lift up his lip or open his mouth gets him a bite of chicken, he may soon be looking forward to his daily sessions.

Gradually work up to the toothbrush or gauze a few seconds at a time. It may take weeks before you are cleaning all his teeth in a single session, but the important thing is to minimize the stress and earn your dog’s trust. And once you are able to brush his teeth, remember to be gentle. Rough brushing can irritate the gums and actually contribute to infections.

In addition to brushing your dog’s teeth, you can give him crunchy edible treats such as pigs’ ears, rawhide, and dental chews, along with hard chew toys, which may help reduce the plaque on his teeth. These won’t take the place of brushing, but they may make the task easier.

At your dog’s annual visit, his veterinarian will examine his teeth and may recommend a professional cleaning.

“People brush their teeth two or three times a day,” said Dr. Robert E. Pitman of the Limestone Veterinary Clinic, “yet we still get our teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. Just imagine how bad our teeth would be if we went a lifetime without brushing or cleaning them.”

— Pets and the People Who Love Them is brought to you by your friends at the Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter. To adopt a dog or cat, please visit the Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter at 1701 U.S. 72 (behind Limestone Veterinary Clinic), visit our Facebook page or call us at 256-771-7889. Email your questions and story ideas to me at PetsAndPeople@charter.net, and I’ll check with the experts (veterinarians, animal behaviorists, etc.) and get back to you in a future column.