Learn the key difference between home brushing and professional cleaning. See why both are important for strong teeth and gum ...

Q: "My Shih Tzu is 12, has some minor health problems, but also has dental problems. Our veterinarian wants to clean and polish his teeth. I am worried about putting him under anesthesia at his age.

Meera Pal is a Northern California-based writer with a background in journalism and books. She covers pets, real estate, tech, and everything in between. You can follow her on Twitter @Meerakat Kelly ...