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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 the result of the inflammatory response to dental plaque, i.e. oral bacteria, and is limited to the periodontium. It is probably the most common disease seen in small animal practice, with the great majority of dogs and cats over the age of 3 years having a degree of disease that warrants intervention.  

Periodontal disease is the result of the inflammatory response to dental plaque, i.e. oral bacteria, and is limited to the periodontium. It is probably the most common disease seen in small animal practice, with a large majority of dogs and cats over the age of 3 years having a degree of disease that warrants intervention.  

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.

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 of the mouth 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''.  

Gingival inflammation starts because of dental calculus (tartar) from diets high in minerals and diets consisting of soft rather than hard crunchy food. Dental plaque becomes calcified and whole [[Enamel Organ#Crown|crown]] may become covered in brown chalky material. Calculus gives brittle dirty brown covering to tooth which may not affect [[Enamel Organ#Enamel|enamel]] at all but may produce mild gingivitis round edge and the gum may start to recede. This exposes more of crown, may reach level of [[Enamel Organ#Dentine|dentine]] and infection may enter the alveolus and loosen ligaments holding tooth in and ultimately the tooth will become loose and fall out.

Gingival inflammation starts because of formation of dental calculus (tartar) from diets high in minerals and diets consisting of soft rather than hard crunchy food. Dental plaque becomes calcified and the whole [[Enamel Organ#Crown|crown]] may become covered in brown chalky material. Calculus is a brittle dirty brown covering the tooth, which may not affect the [[Enamel Organ#Enamel|enamel]] at all but may produce mild gingivitis around the edge and the gum may start to recede. This exposes more of the crown and may reach the level of the [[Enamel Organ#Dentine|dentine]]. Therefore infection may enter the alveolus and loosen ligaments holding the tooth in place and ultimately the tooth will become loose and fall out.

'''Gingivitis''' - Reversible inflammation of the marginal gingival tissues that does not affect the [[Enamel Organ|periodontal ligament or the alveolar bone]].

'''Gingivitis''' - Reversible inflammation of the marginal gingival tissues that does not affect the [[Enamel Organ|periodontal ligament or the alveolar bone]].

'''Periodontitis''' - Inflammation and irreversible destruction of the tooth's supporting structures that includes the [[gingiva]], periodontal ligament, alveolar bone and root cementum. It usually occurs after years of plaque accumulation and gingivitis. The epithelial attachments of the tooth regress apically and there is absorption of the associated alveolar bone, resulting in permanent loss of tooth support.

'''Periodontitis''' - Inflammation and irreversible destruction of the tooth's supporting structures that includes the [[gingiva]], periodontal ligament, alveolar bone and root cementum. It usually occurs after years of plaque accumulation and gingivitis. The epithelial attachments of the tooth regress apically and there is absorption of the associated alveolar bone, resulting in permanent loss of tooth support.

'''Periodontal pocket''' - this describes the area of tissue destruction left by periodontitis. It is an attachment loss due to destruction of the fibres and bone that support the tooth which results in a pathological deepening of the gingival sulcus.

'''Periodontal Pocket''' - this describes the area of tissue destruction left by periodontitis. It is an attachment loss due to destruction of the fibres and bone that support the tooth which results in a pathological deepening of the gingival sulcus.

==Aetiology==

==Aetiology==