Dental disease in dogs causes chronic pain affecting quality of life. Preventive care and appropriate treatment significantly improve welfare outcomes.
Dental disease represents one of the most widespread sources of chronic pain in companion dogs, and one of the most preventable. Dogs tolerate significant dental pain silently, often showing only subtle behaviour changes that owners attribute to ageing or personality. The degree of improvement in behaviour and appetite after dental treatment frequently surprises owners who did not realise pain was present. Annual dental examination from adulthood enables early intervention before advanced disease develops.