Prevention of dental disease in dogs requires consistent daily home care that starts in puppyhood to establish habits before plaque and tartar accumulate.
Dental disease causes chronic pain that most affected dogs tolerate stoically while it progressively worsens over years. Prevention through daily brushing - if consistently maintained - almost entirely prevents periodontal disease. The gap between what is achievable and what most dogs receive is substantial: the majority of dogs receive no dental home care despite dental disease being the most prevalent health condition. Starting dental home care in puppyhood establishes acceptance and habits that persist throughout life. The welfare cost of preventable chronic dental pain across the dog population represents one of the largest and most addressable welfare problems in companion animal care.