Periodontal disease affects the vast majority of adult dogs and causes chronic pain that is largely preventable through consistent dental care.
Canine periodontal disease is arguably the most widespread untreated source of chronic pain in companion animals. The vast majority of adult dogs have some degree of disease, yet most receive no preventive dental care and many never receive professional dental treatment. Dogs with moderate to severe periodontal disease are experiencing daily, chronic oral pain - the inflammation, gum recession, and loose teeth create a persistent discomfort that affects how dogs eat, play, and interact. Despite this pain, most dogs continue eating and showing normal behavior, leading owners to assume no dental problem exists. The behavioral changes after dental treatment - renewed enthusiasm for chew toys, more energetic play, greater interaction - often reveal retrospectively how much the pre-treatment pain was affecting quality of life. Daily tooth brushing, begun in puppyhood, prevents most periodontal disease.