Brushing your dogs teeth does more than just whiten them. Healthy bodies and healthy teeth are linked. The same bacteria that causes stinky dog breath could also lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease and may increase your dog’s risk of heart, liver and kidney problems.  So by providing your dog with good dental care, you could also improve his overall health. Unfortunately, most dogs don’t get the dental care they should.  Many end up needing a costly, professional tooth cleaning. To minimize such bills and to minimize your dog’s risk of developing disease, brush his teeth regularly and give him plenty of dental toys to promote chewing. Dry food and dental treats may also be helpful.