Periodontal disease affects the majority of dogs over three years old, causing chronic pain that is frequently unrecognized by owners and undertreated by the veterinary profession.
Dental disease in dogs is a silent welfare crisis. The stoic nature of dogs means that animals with painful loose teeth, infected gums, and oral abscesses continue eating and behaving apparently normally. Owner recognition of dental pain is poor, and the cost and anesthetic risk of professional dental procedures creates barriers to treatment. Welfare improvements depend on owner education about behavioral signs of dental pain, affordable veterinary dental services, and habituation of puppies to toothbrushing as standard practice from the earliest age.