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    Your cat has started to turn his nose up at his favorite dry food. Your dog's breath smells so bad even other dogs avoid her. On the face of it, these situations may seem normal, but they're also common signals that your pet may be suffering from dental problems.

    Periodontal, or gum, disease is the most common dental condition in cats and dogs. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society in Nashville, more than 70% of cats and 80% of dogs are afflicted with it by the time they reach 3 years of age.

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    Characterized by infection and inflammation of the gums and supporting tissues of the teeth, periodontal disease starts the same way in pets as in humans: from a buildup of bacteria-laden plaque and tartar on the teeth. The resulting infection leads to bad breath and bleeding and receding gums. Left untreated, the disease causes teeth to eventually loosen and fall out. In rare cases, the infection may also affect your pet's heart, liver, or kidneys.

    Related: Do You Need Pet Health Insurance?

    The early stages of periodontal disease involve only the gums and are reversible with treatment. The later stages affect the ligaments and bones that surround the teeth and are irreversible. Your best bet is a program of preventive dental care designed to remove the buildup of plaque. And the sooner you start, the better.

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    1. Watch Their Mouth

    Ideally, you should check your pet's mouth once a week. She may be resistant and put up a fuss, so be patient, and start by just lifting her lips and examining her teeth and gums. Eventually, you need to spend enough time on this oral exam to check the following:

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    2. Get a good whiff of your pet's breath.

    Contrary to popular belief, bad breath is not normal and may be the first sign of dental disease or diseases of internal organs.

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    3. Check the gums.

    They should be pink and glistening. Some animals have dark spots of pigment on their gums. This is normal if the areas are not raised and do not grow. Red, swollen, ulcerated, or bleeding gums are unhealthy and should be checked by your veterinarian. For cats only: If you can, look under your cat's gum line for the presence of resorptive lesions. These little holes develop at or below the gum line and result in red, inflamed gums and pain. Affected cats are often reluctant to eat hard food. If caught early, the holes can be treated, but as they progress, either extraction of the tooth or a root canal is necessary.

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    4. Do a color check.

    Yellowish-brown tartar is commonly found in animals 2 years and older, especially on the back teeth. Tartar cannot be loosened by regular brushing and needs to be removed by your veterinarian.

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    5. Look for swellings.

    These may indicate tooth abscesses or tumors. If you notice one, have it checked out as soon as possible.

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    6. Watch for broken teeth or exposed pulp. If you see a red or brown spot on the surface of a tooth fracture, this is pulp.

    Related: How to Pick the Best Vet for Your Pet

    It is very painful and can lead to infection and tooth abscesses. Treatment should be scheduled with your vet as soon as possible.

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    7. Toothsome Tips

    While regular checks can help you spot disease before it becomes widespread, a few preventive measures can help your pet avoid tooth and gum problems entirely. As a necessary first step, put some time aside every day or every other day to brush your pet's teeth.

    Just as it does for your teeth, brushing removes your pet's daily accumulation of the plaque that leads to periodontal disease. In addition to regular brushing, do the following:

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    8. Include dry hard food in your pet's diet.

    Although hard food will not do everything to keep your pet's teeth clean, it does not get caught in between the teeth like soft food can. Special tartar control diets are now available through veterinarians.

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    9. Give your dog chew toys.

    Rawhides, real, fresh uncooked bones, and rubber bones are safe and help to keep a dog's teeth clean. Try these Best New Chew Toys for Dogs.

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    10. Schedule regular checkups.

    Dental exams by your veterinarian are essential to keep your pet's mouth healthy. The interval between checkups depends on how effective your home care program is and how quickly your pet builds up tartar. Most pets require checkups at least every year in conjunction with their routine physical exam.

    If your pet has advanced periodontal disease, your vet may refer you to a dental specialist for a more thorough checkup and treatment. Cleaning typically includes ultrasonic scaling, scaling under the gums by handheld instruments, and polishing.

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    Next: 5 Surprising Truths About Your Pet's Food

    11. Win the Brushing Battle

    Be patient, and never use force. (You'll be sorry at your next session.) Accompany brushing with praise, and follow up with rewards. Here's how to ease into it:

    1. Start by rubbing your pet's teeth and gums with a soft gauze pad wrapped around your finger.

    2. Graduate to a rubber toothbrush that fits on the end of your finger (available through your veterinarian or at pet supply stores). If you want, switch to a toothbrush designed for pets or a soft human toothbrush.

    3. Finally, add a flavored enzymatic pet toothpaste. Human toothpaste is not tasty for most pets, and the foaming action can be scary. Press the toothpaste between the bristles so your pet doesn't lick it off. Place the brush at a 45-degree angle between the teeth and gums. Brush in a circular motion, covering several teeth at a time. After 5 to 10 brushes, move on. Try to cover both the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth, but most attention should be paid to the outside of the upper teeth.