Dental disease affects over 80% of dogs over three years old and is the most common preventable health condition in companion dogs, causing chronic pain that significantly reduces quality of life.
Dental disease in companion dogs causes chronic pain that most owners do not recognize because dogs continue eating despite oral discomfort. The progression from early gingivitis to advanced periodontitis with bone loss, tooth root infection, and loose teeth occurs over years of accumulated plaque, during which the dog experiences gradually worsening oral pain without access to treatment. The connection between dental disease and systemic organ damage — documented in veterinary research — extends the welfare consequences beyond the mouth to whole-body health. Early intervention through prevention is dramatically more effective and less costly than treatment of advanced disease, making dental care one of the highest-impact routine welfare investments for companion dog owners.