Dental disease affects the majority of adult dogs and causes chronic pain. Regular professional cleaning and dental care prevents unnecessary long-term suffering.
Dental disease is among the most prevalent and most undertreated welfare problems in companion dogs. The majority of adult dogs have some degree of periodontal disease, which causes chronic pain from gum inflammation, tooth root infection, and eventually tooth loss. Because dogs cannot communicate pain verbally and continue eating despite dental discomfort, owners often don't recognize the problem until it is advanced. Post-treatment behavior changes — increased energy, improved appetite, more playful behavior — reveal retrospectively how much the animal was affected. Prevention through daily tooth brushing from puppyhood is the most effective approach, with professional cleaning under veterinary anesthesia required for established disease.