I brush Graham's teeth 1-2 times a week. Cassie needs her teeth brushed daily or every other day because she has nasty breath. I use the toothbrush made for dogs, it's double ended. The vets do a very thorough job, with professional dental tools and the dogs are put under general anesthetic and it's a good thing to do, depending on what their teeth conditions are like now. If they have horrendous breath (like Cassie does) and inflamed gums/excess tarter they may need to have the vet do it. When Cassie goes to the vet this spring for her heartworm preventitive I am going to have the vet check her teeth and see if that smell that comes out of her mouth is normal or if something's wrong. I have never smelled dog breath like hers before, but yet her teeth look to be normal from what I can see and her gums are healthy and pink. But when that little dog yawns or pants.....watch out!! P.U.!!!

As for the floppy jowels, what I do is put her in the kitchen sink so she can't run away from me. I then grab (firmly) one lip (jowel?) then brush that side quickly but gently. I keep good hold of the jowel because it prevents them from shaking their head, if they pull away it does not feel good so they will eventually learn to hold fairly still. I then move to the other lip firmly and do that side of her mouth. Graham just holds his face up to me, he does not squirm or move so I don't have to contain him when I brush his teeth.

And yes, brushing teeth is very important for dogs' health and longevity.