Client Education Flashcards
Points to remember about periodontal disease (5)
- Any animal with teeth is affected
- No cure
- Progressive, relentless
- Worse in older patients
- Worse in smaller patients
What are supplemental things you should use during client education? (5)
- Posters
- Flip charts
- Pamphlets
- Models
Signs of dental disease (6)
- Bad breath
- Yellow-brown crust of tartar
- Red & swollen gums
- Pain or bleeding when eating, or when mouth is touched.
- Decreased appetite or difficulty eating
- Loose or missing teeth
Where in the body can bacterial infections of the mouth spread to? (6)
a. Brain
b. Mouth
c. Lungs
d. Heart
e. Liver
f. Kidneys
Regarding oral infections…
1. Can bacteria cross the blood-brain barrier?
2. What disease can cause bad breath & lead to the destruction of gums and teeth?
3. Bacteria infecting the lungs can cause what?
- Yes. It can cause lots of damage.
- Periodontal disease
- Bronchial or other respiratory infections
Regarding oral infections…
1. Periodontal disease may result in ___ & damage to the ___.
2. T/F: The liver is safe from bacteria entering it.
3. How can the kidneys be affected by bacterial infections?
- Inflammation; Heart
- False. Bacteria entering the liver may result in a variety of liver diseases.
- Kidney infections & damage.
What is the progression of periodontal disease? (4)
FACT CHECK
- Plaque
- Tartar
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
How many species of bacteria of the buccal cavity are there?
Over 300!!
Bacteria in the buccal cavity, when mixed with saliva, form a “___” that coats the surface of the teeth.
This causes gum ___, working its way under the gums where further bacteria can develop in an ___-free environment.
Within ___hrs, plaque can mineralize by fixing ___ and transforming into tartar (calculus).
- “Biofilm”
- Inflammation
- Oxygen-free
- 24hrs
- Calcium
T/F: Calculus has the same origins as periodontal disease, but is not the cause of it
True
T/F: Calculus can provide a rough surface that disables the development of plaque
False. It most definitely facilitates the development of plaque!
T/F: Age causes periodontal disease
FALSE!
Disease is bacterial in origin. Can affect younger animals too.
- Is there a medicine that prevents or dissolves tartar?
- Is it possible to prolong the benefits of teeth scaling with antibiotics?
- No
- No
What is the gold standard for plaque control?
Brushing teeth!! Single most effective means of removing plaque
What does toothpaste need to contain to work in vet med? Can a client use human toothpaste?
- Can be flavored but must contain enzymes & chemicals to slow calculus.
- No. It has too much fluoride (pets don’t spit) and they don’t like our mint flavoring.
- Human toothpaste contains a small amount of Ethylene Glycol!!
How can a client train their pet to enjoy or tolerate teeth brushing? (6)
- Start at a young age
- Positive stimulus
- Reward w game, walk, meal, treat, etc - Daily ritual, same time, same place
- Start with a few teeth, then gradually increase.
- May take several weeks to get all teeth - Approach from the side
- Approach from the front is threatening to them! - Let pet be in comfortable position and give reassurance (petting, etc)
T/F: Owners should press the toothpaste into the brush as to prevent the pet from licking it off
True
T/F: Owners should begin with the incisors
False. It’s best advised to start with the side as animals don’t typically enjoy their noses manipulated. It is also easier to lift their lips.
What angle should the toothbrush be held in?
45-degree angle in relation to the surface of the teeth as to penetrate into the groove between tooth & gum
