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Brushing your dog’s teeth can be a bit of a chore; some dogs are not at ease with having anything placed in their mouths, so having their teeth cleaned can take some getting used to.

However, according to a report by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), millions of pet dogs across the United Kingdom may be suffering from avoidable dental aches and pains caused by a combination of a bad diet and their owners failing to care for their teeth. The problem is now so bad the charity’s chief vet has issued advice for dog owners instructing them on how best to care for their pet’s teeth, thus avoiding any needless claims on your dog insurance .

The research carried out by the PDSA has highlighted how widespread the problem is in the UK. According to data collected from 13,000 dogs between 2007 and 2009, there was a 5 per cent increase in the number of animals with dental disease. Nearly a quarter of all dogs in the study – 24 per cent – had tooth problems by 2009, meaning that around 2 million dogs in the United Kingdom may be suffering. The problem was particularly bad in Wales and Northern Ireland, where 30 per cent of dogs have some form of dental disease. In contrast, only 7 per cent of dogs in London and 6 per cent of dogs in Scotland had poor dental hygiene.

The report states that the main causes of dental disease in dogs are a poor diet and lack of care. Senior vet Sean Wensley advises that a good diet involves avoiding sugary treats such as chocolate, peanut butter, biscuits and cereals. Such food can stick to the teeth, and when mixed with bacteria and saliva can cause plaque. If left untreated, the gums can become inflamed which can lead to tooth decay and eventual loss. A trip to the vet to sort out the problem can be expensive if you do not have dog insurance , so regular brushing is the best preventative of this, and Wensley advises that you start your pet as young as possible so he or she gets used to it.