We often joke about doggy breath, but in real life canine dental disease is no joking matter, and in fact, can cause serious health consequences. Dental disease is the most commonly diagnosed problem seen in veterinary medicine.

Infected, inflamed gums and oral tissues are not only painful, the pet can lose teeth that are necessary for chewing and many other tasks (teeth are like hands) and internal organs like the heart can be slowly poisoned by bacteria that are pumped into the blood stream with every bite. Not only that, if you're sleeping nose-to-nose with pets at night, or if they sit next to you on the couch, hound-halitosis can seriously threaten the bond you share with your pet.

A recent analysis by DataSavant, the information and knowledge branch of Banfield, The Pet Hospital, looked at 45,000 dogs with advanced periodontal disease and compared it with the same number of pets having no recorded dental disease. The two groups were matched one-on-one for gender, breed, age and location. The analysis showed that dogs with periodontal disease had more than eight times the incidence of endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart) and five times more heart murmurs.

The good news is that by practicing preventive home dental care with your dog as directed by your veterinarian (may include brushing, dental wipes, sealants, dental diets, enzyme impregnated chews, even an exciting new dental disease treatment that's on the horizon from Pfizer Animal Health) and professional teeth cleanings as needed, your dog will have a kissable breath, good oral health, and a healthier heart.

On average, dogs with good oral health live 15 percent longer, or an average of 2 years!