Dog dental care

Question
My dogs breath has gotten increasingly worse over the last six months. Can I use regular tooth paste to brush her teeth?

Answer
No, because it contains flourides and other chemicals that are toxic to pets. If your dog is over two years old she needs to have a deep cleaning done at the vet's before you start brushing her teeth at home. That is the only way to get the tartar and bacteria out from under her gums first.
The smell you describe is from her gums and the gunk that is stuck between her teeth where the bacteria live and breed.
Most dogs by the age of two if they do not have normal dental care need to have a dental done because they already have gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums, and most likely some periodontal disease too, which is the second and third stage of gingivitis.
So get her in to get her teeth cleaned first and pick up some toothpaste made for dogs at the vets.
There is compelling evidence that having a dogs teeth cleaned will prevent many terrible diseases such as kidney disease, heart disease and other diseases that are started from a constant bath of bacteria from the mouth into the bloodstream.
You will be doing both of you a huge favor!