Changes

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''.  

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 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 forms a brittle dirty brown covering to 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 subsequently reach the level of the [[Enamel Organ#Dentine|dentine]] and infection may enter the alveolus and loosen the ligaments holding tooth in 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]].

==Aetiology==

==Aetiology==

The primary cause of gingivitis and periodontitis is '''accumulation of dental plaque''' on the tooth surfaces. '''Calculus''' (tartar) is only a secondary aetiological factor.

The primary cause of gingivitis and periodontitis is '''accumulation of dental plaque''' on the tooth surface. '''Calculus''' (tartar) is only a secondary aetiological factor.

Dental plaque is a biofilm composed of aggregates of [[:Category:Bacteria|bacteria]] and their by-products, salivary components, oral debris, and occasional epithelial and inflammatory cells. Plaque accumulation starts within minutes on a clean tooth surface. The initial accumulation of plaque occurs supragingivally but will extend into the sulcus and populate the subgingival region if left undisturbed. The formation of plaque involves two processes, namely the initial adherence of bacteria and then the continued accumulation of bacteria due to a combination of bacterial multiplication and further aggregation of bacteria to those cells that are already attached.  

Dental plaque is a biofilm composed of aggregates of [[:Category:Bacteria|bacteria]] and their by-products, salivary components, oral debris, and occasional epithelial and inflammatory cells. Plaque accumulation starts within minutes on a clean tooth surface. The initial accumulation of plaque occurs supragingivally but will extend into the sulcus and populate the subgingival region if left undisturbed. The formation of plaque involves two processes, namely the initial adherence of bacteria and then the continued accumulation of bacteria due to a combination of bacterial multiplication and further aggregation of bacteria to those cells that are already attached.  

== Signalment ==

== Signalment ==

Pure bred cats are particularly susceptible and include: Burmese, Persian, Siamese and Maine Coon. The disease affects majority of cats over two years of age.  

Pure bred cats are particularly susceptible and include: Burmese, Persian, Siamese and Maine Coon. The disease affects the majority of cats over two years of age.  

Certain breeds of dogs are thought to be susceptible to an aggressive form of the disease and include: Greyhound and Maltese. Small breed dogs are more prone to tooth crowding, predisposing the animal to the initiation and rapid progression of the disease.  

Certain breeds of dogs are thought to be susceptible to an aggressive form of the disease and include: Greyhound and Maltese. Small breed dogs are more prone to tooth crowding, predisposing the animal to the initiation and rapid progression of the disease.  

'''Periodontitis'''  

'''Periodontitis'''  

Educate the owner of the disease process and also educate them on good daily dental home care such as tooth brushing and diet.  

Educate the owner about the disease process and also on good daily dental home care such as tooth brushing and diet.  

Perform a dental scale and polish and root surface debridement. Teeth with severe periodontitis will need to be extracted and periodontal surgery may be necessary.

Perform a dental scale and polish and root surface debridement. Teeth with severe periodontitis will need to be extracted and periodontal surgery may be necessary.

Regular examinations to assess the condition of the teeth are vital and the owner needs to be made aware of this.

Regular examinations to assess the condition of the teeth are vital and the owner needs to be made aware of this.

'''Periodontal pockets'''

'''Periodontal Pockets'''

With pocket depths below 5mm, dental scaling and polishing should be performed, and then subgingival curettage and the placement of an antibiotic gel in the pocket may help rejuvenate the periodontal tissues and reduce pocket depth.

With pocket depths below 5mm, dental scaling and polishing should be performed, and then subgingival curettage and the placement of an antibiotic gel in the pocket may help rejuvenate the periodontal tissues and reduce pocket depth.

With pocket depths greater that 5mm, surgery is needed to either expose the root for treatment or extract. Gingival flaps or bony replacement procedures for infrabony pockets can be used to decrease pocket depths in areas of alveolar bone loss.

With pocket depths greater that 5mm, surgery is needed to either expose the root for treatment or extraction. Gingival flaps or bony replacement procedures for infrabony pockets can be used to decrease pocket depths in areas of alveolar bone loss.

{{Learning

{{Learning

[[Category:Teeth_-_Inflammatory_Pathology]] [[Category:Oral_Cavity_and_Gingiva_-_Pathology]] [[Category:Expert_Review - Small Animal]] [[Category:Dental_Diseases_-_Cat]] [[Category:Dental_Diseases_-_Dog]]

[[Category:Teeth_-_Inflammatory_Pathology]] [[Category:Oral_Cavity_and_Gingiva_-_Pathology]] [[Category:Expert_Review - Small Animal]] [[Category:Dental_Diseases_-_Cat]] [[Category:Dental_Diseases_-_Dog]]

[[Category:Periodontal Conditions]]

[[Category:Periodontal Conditions]]

[[Category:To Do - Dentistry preMars]]  

[[Category:To Do - Mars Check]]  

[[Category:LisaM reviewed]]

[[Category:LisaM reviewed]]