If you give your dog regular home check-ups and follow the tips below, you’ll have a contented pooch with a dazzling smile.

These tips from ASPCA.org apply to cats as well.

1. The sniff test

Normal dog breath doesn’t smell like a field of lilies. That’s OK. But if the dog’s breath is particularly offensive, a visit to the vet is in order. This is particularly important if your dog is displaying a loss of appetite, vomiting or drinking or urinating excessively.

2. Lip service

To check your dog’s oral health, sit with your dog facing you. Lift its lips and examine the gums and teeth. The gums should be pink, not white or red, with no signs of swelling. The teeth also should be white, not brown, which would indicate a build-up of tartar.

3. Tooth cleaning kit

Assemble a tooth cleaning kit for your dog. Include a canine toothbrush, which is smaller than a human toothbrush and has softer bristles. A clean piece of soft gauze wrapped around your finger will work as well. Purchase a toothpaste and mouthwash made especially for canines from your veterinarian or specialty pet store. You can also make a paste of baking soda and water.

4. Danger zone

Oral hygiene products made for humans can injure dogs. Human toothpaste can irritate a dog’s stomach, and toothpaste containing fluoride can interfere with enamel formation in dogs younger than 6 months. Also, human mouthwash may contain artificial sweetener that can be fatal to dogs.

5. Get comfortable

If your dog is not used to having its teeth brushed, it may react negatively when you try. You can get the dog used to the process by first massaging its lips with your finger in a circular motion for 30 to 60 seconds once or twice a day for a few weeks. When the pet becomes comfortable with this process, move to its teeth and gums. Then put a little bit of pet toothpaste on your finger to get the dog used to the taste.

6. Brushing technique

At this point, your dog should be ready for its first tooth brushing. Apply the toothpaste to the dog’s teeth and hold the brush at a 45-degree angle. Using a gentle, circular action, work on one area of the mouth at a time, lifting the dog’s lips as necessary. Note that the outside of the tooth that touches the dog’s cheek usually has the most tartar, so pay special attention there. If your dog resists having the inner surfaces of its teeth cleaned, don’t fight it — only a small amount of tartar accumulates there. Once you get the technique down, go for a brushing two or three times a week.

Note: If your dog’s gums are inflamed or the dog has mild gingivitis, brushing too hard can hurt its gums. In such a case, a visit to the vet may be in order before you introduce a toothbrush.

7. Chew on this

Chew toys can satisfy your dog’s natural desire to chomp, while making his teeth strong. Gnawing on a chew toy also can help massage the dog’s gums and help keep its teeth clean by scraping away soft tartar. Ask your vet to recommend toxin-free rawhide, nylon and rubber chew toys.