Dental disease is the most common health problem in dogs, affecting over 80% of dogs over three years of age, but is largely preventable through daily home care.
Dental disease causes chronic, poorly recognised pain in dogs. Because dogs continue to eat despite significant dental pain, owners frequently underestimate the degree of discomfort their dog is experiencing. The welfare impact of untreated periodontal disease is substantial, affecting eating, behaviour, and quality of life. The most welfare-positive approach combines daily tooth brushing from puppyhood - building positive associations before disease develops - with regular veterinary dental assessment. Treating dental disease, often observed as a dramatic improvement in a dog's energy and demeanour after professional cleaning, reveals the extent of chronic suffering that had been occurring.