Changes

[[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]]

[[File:PD3-visibleAL.jpg|200px|thumb|right|<font color ="red">Visible alveolar bone</font color>]]

[[File:PD3-visibleAL.jpg|200px|thumb|right|<font color ="red">Gingival recession of canine tooth with exposed root surface</font color>]]

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]].