Pearly Bites

Granted, most pets don't flash million-dollar smiles. But bad breath and yellow teeth are more than an aesthetic problem. Those symptoms can actually be a sign that something's wrong. While animals rarely get cavities, they still suffer from poor dental hygiene and that can lead to the buildup of plaque, a thin layer of film teaming with bacteria. Left untreated, plaque can infect gums and cause periodontal disease, which both weakens the bones that support teeth and erodes the gum tissue that holds them in place. If plaque is allowed to fester, Tiger's teeth could eventually fall out.

But a toothless doggie grin is not inevitable. Feeding your pet crunchy veggies like carrots or hard kibble and biscuits helps to remove plaque buildup. And a good daily brushing should take care of what's left over. Use a child's toothbrush or a special animal brand, moistened with warm water and spiked with a bit of garlic powder, a taste animals love. Or try pet toothpastes, which come in a variety of flavors and are available in most pet stores. If brushing turns into a battle, dab a bit of toothpaste on a piece of moist gauze and rub it on your pet's teeth to acclimate him to having his mouth handled. After a couple of weeks, switch to a real brush.

Regular toothbrushing is a good preventive measure for all pets. But it's a must if you notice symptoms of tooth or gum decay--red, inflamed or bleeding gums; lumps or bumps in the gum area; loss of appetite or favoring one side of the mouth when eating. For treatment of early periodontal disease, John Heinerman, Ph.D., author of Natural Pet Cures (Prentice Hail, 1998), recommends bringing one and a half pints of mineral water to a boil. Turn off heat, set aside and add one teaspoon each of powdered goldenseal root, myrrh gum and mullein leaves. Steep for 15 minutes and strain. Use a syringe or baster to flush bacteria from your pet's gums.

A little dental care can go a long way. And just think how much more appealing a big, wet smooch will be from a clean, healthy mouth.