Periodontal disease affects most dogs over 3 years old and causes chronic oral pain. Prevention through home care dramatically reduces welfare impact.
Dogs with periodontal disease live with chronic oral pain that owners rarely recognize. The progression from gingivitis to bone loss occurs largely silently, yet affected dogs experience ongoing discomfort that reduces quality of life. Prevention through early habit establishment is far superior to treating established disease - and far more welfare-positive than accepting dental disease as inevitable.