Periodontal disease is the most prevalent disease in dogs, causing chronic oral pain and systemic health effects that are largely preventable through appropriate dental care throughout life.
Periodontal disease is largely silent - dogs continue eating despite significant oral pain, leading owners to underestimate prevalence and severity. The chronic pain of advanced periodontal disease reduces quality of life every day. Prevention through consistent oral hygiene and regular veterinary dental cleaning under anaesthesia is enormously more welfare-positive than reactive treatment of advanced disease. Starting dental care in puppyhood creates lifetime welfare benefits.