Dental disease is the most common health problem in adult dogs, causing chronic pain that is frequently overlooked because dogs continue to eat despite significant oral discomfort.
Chronic dental pain represents one of the most common and underrecognized welfare problems in companion dogs. Because dogs continue to eat through significant dental pain, owners routinely misinterpret this stoicism as evidence of no problem. Research shows that dogs whose dental disease is treated often show dramatic behavioral improvements — more playful, more interactive, more comfortable — retrospectively revealing the chronic discomfort they had been experiencing. Prevention through daily tooth brushing is straightforward and highly effective but is practiced by only a minority of dog owners. Making dental care a standard part of dog ownership through owner education represents a significant and achievable welfare improvement at scale.