Dental disease affecting the majority of adult dogs causes chronic pain that is largely preventable through home care and professional treatment.
Dental disease is simultaneously the most common and one of the most preventable causes of chronic pain in companion dogs. The pain of periodontal disease is analogous to what humans experience with severe gum disease and infected teeth: persistent, often throbbing, affecting every meal. Dogs that stop chewing hard food, become food-selective, or stop playing with toys are often communicating dental pain through behavior change rather than vocalization. The prevention pathway is straightforward: daily brushing prevents most disease development. The treatment pathway is clear: professional cleaning addresses established disease.