Periodontal disease in dogs does not just affect oral health - it has serious systemic effects on heart, kidney, and liver function that compromise overall welfare.
Dental disease is pervasive in companion dogs yet dramatically under-treated due to both cost barriers and owner under-awareness of its welfare significance. Periodontal disease causes chronic oral pain that many owners mistake for normal aging or personality - dogs rarely refuse food even when mouths are severely diseased, masking the problem. The systemic effects extend welfare consequences beyond oral pain to organ dysfunction. Regular preventive care and early intervention substantially improve quality and length of life for affected dogs.