Dental disease causes chronic pain in dogs, and preventive dental care from early life can prevent significant welfare suffering throughout a dog's lifespan.
Dental disease progresses silently in dogs — early stage disease causes no visible signs to owners, yet the pathogen-laden plaque and early gingivitis are already causing low-grade chronic inflammation. By the time disease is visible, it typically represents years of progressive deterioration. The welfare consequences are significant: chronic pain, difficulty eating, systemic inflammation from oral bacteria, and eventual tooth loss. Preventive care beginning in puppyhood, including regular brushing and professional cleaning, prevents this welfare trajectory at modest cost.