Dental disease affects the majority of adult dogs and causes chronic pain that is often unrecognized; prevention is far more effective than treatment.
Dental disease is one of the most prevalent yet underrecognized welfare problems in companion dogs. Chronic periodontal pain affects quality of life significantly — altering eating behavior, sleep, and mood — but dogs rarely show obvious signs that owners recognize as dental pain. Prevention through regular home brushing, annual dental check-ups, and appropriate chew items is far more effective and less expensive than treating advanced disease. Veterinary practice that incorporates dental welfare assessment into routine visits dramatically improves outcomes for individual dogs.