doggie dental care

Question
We have an old (12 yrs) Mutt (terrier, mostly) we love dearly, but when we took him in for shots, the vet wanted to clean his teeth, and said it would cost us $200.  We plain don't have it.  My dad laughed and said none of his hounds ever saw a dentist and did just fine, but I'm worried I'm neglecting my best friend.  He eats fine, and his breath isn't any worse than the pampered poodle down the street.  How important is dental care?  I bought a doggie tooth brush and toothpaste, but Gus just tries to eat it, and can't figure out what I'm doing.  Thank you.

Answer
If there is plaque or tartar on the teeth, you can remove this with a damp cloth wet with hydrogen peroxide.  If the gums are red and there is calculus (rocky deposits) on the teeth, especially the molars, having the teeth cleaned can extend your dog's life by preventing bacteria from getting into the blood.