Dental disease is the most common health problem in dogs, causing chronic pain that goes largely unrecognised while profoundly affecting quality of life.
Dental disease represents one of the largest sources of preventable chronic pain in companion animals, largely invisible to owners because dogs continue eating and behaving relatively normally despite significant discomfort. Dogs have no way to communicate localised dental pain and stoically adapt their eating behaviour to avoid using painful areas. An estimated majority of dogs in middle and old age are living with chronic dental pain that owners do not recognise because they have not been educated to look for it. Professional dental assessment and treatment can dramatically change quality of life for affected dogs. The reluctance to pursue dental treatment due to anaesthetic concerns or cost leaves many dogs in preventable chronic pain.