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[[File:Healthy gingiva cat.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Healthy gingiva]]

[[File:Healthy gingiva cat.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Healthy gingiva]]

[[File:Gingivitis.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Gingivitis]]

[[File:Gingivitis.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Gingivitis]]

Periodontal disease is essentially an inflammatory response by the supporting structures of the [[:Category:Teeth - Anatomy & Physiology|teeth]] known as the periodontium. These structures include the [[gingiva]], [[Enamel Organ#Periodontal Ligament|periodontal ligaments]], [[Enamel Organ#Cementum|cementum]] and [[Enamel Organ#Alveolar Bone|alveolar bone]]. It is the most common [[:Category:Oral Diseases - Dog|dental disease in dogs]] and [[:Category:Oral Diseases - Cat|cats]] and the major cause of tooth loss in both species. There are numerous factors that contribute to the formation of the disease but the primary agent is dental plaque. Plaque accumulates at the gingival margin, partly due to insufficient [[Oral Hygiene - Small Animal|oral hygiene]].

Periodontal disease is essentially an inflammatory response by the supporting structures of the [[:Category:Teeth - Anatomy & Physiology|teeth]] known as the periodontium. These structures include the [[gingiva]], [[Enamel Organ#Periodontal Ligament|periodontal ligaments]], [[Enamel Organ#Cementum|cementum]] and [[Enamel Organ#Alveolar Bone|alveolar bone]]. It is the most common [[:Category:Oral Diseases - Dog|dental disease in dogs]] and [[:Category:Oral Diseases - Cat|cats]] and the major cause of tooth loss in both species. There are numerous factors that contribute to the formation of the disease but the primary agent is dental plaque. Plaque accumulates at the gingival margin, partly due to insufficient [[Oral Hygiene - Small Animal|oral hygiene]].

Periodontal disease is a collective term for a number of plaque-induced inflammatory lesions that affect the periodontium. It is a unique infection in that it is not associated with a massive bacterial invasion of the tissues. '''Gingivitis''' is inflammation of the gingiva and is the earliest sign of disease. Individuals with untreated gingivitis may develop '''periodontitis'''. The inflammatory reactions in periodontitis result in destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. The result of untreated periodontitis is ultimately exfoliation of the affected tooth. Thus, gingivitis is inflammation that is not associated with destruction (loss) of supporting tissue – it is reversible. In contrast, periodontitis is inflammation where the tooth has lost a variable degree of its support (attachment) – it is irreversible. Infection of the periodontium may cause discomfort to the affected animal. There is also strong evidence that a focus of infection in the [[Oral Cavity Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|oral cavity]] has been associated with disease of distant organs. Consequently, prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases is, contrary to common belief, not a cosmetic issue, but a general health and welfare issue.

Periodontal disease is a collective term for a number of plaque-induced inflammatory lesions that affect the periodontium. It is a unique infection in that it is not associated with a massive bacterial invasion of the tissues. '''Gingivitis''' is inflammation of the gingiva and is the earliest sign of disease. Individuals with untreated gingivitis may develop '''periodontitis'''. The inflammatory reactions in periodontitis result in destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. The result of untreated periodontitis is ultimately exfoliation of the affected tooth. Thus, gingivitis is inflammation that is not associated with destruction (loss) of supporting tissue – it is reversible. In contrast, periodontitis is inflammation where the tooth has lost a variable degree of its support (attachment) – it is irreversible. Infection of the periodontium may cause discomfort to the affected animal. There is also strong evidence that a focus of infection in the [[Oral Cavity Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|oral cavity]] has been associated with disease of distant organs. Consequently, prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases is, contrary to common belief, not a cosmetic issue, but a general health and welfare issue.

<font color ="red">(pic PD1, PD2, PD3) </font color>

(pic PD1, PD2, PD3)  

Initially, the bacterial flora tend to be non-motile aerobes or facultative anaerobes. However, as the supply of oxygen is reduced by supragingival plaque accumulation and pocket formation, the bacterial flora become more motile and anaerobic. Important bacterial flora responsible include ''Porphyromonas gingivalis, Bacteroides asaccharolyticus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinomyces viscosus'' and ''Actinomyces odontolyticus''.  

Initially, the bacterial flora tend to be non-motile aerobes or facultative anaerobes. However, as the supply of oxygen is reduced by supragingival plaque accumulation and pocket formation, the bacterial flora become more motile and anaerobic. Important bacterial flora responsible include ''Porphyromonas gingivalis, Bacteroides asaccharolyticus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinomyces viscosus'' and ''Actinomyces odontolyticus''.