Dental Hygiene Flashcards
How many cats and dogs are affected by periodontal disease?
~85%
Is gingivitis irreversible?
No, it is reversible however it will lead to periodontal disease which is irreversible
What is halitosis?
Bad breath
What other areas other than the mouth can periodontal disease affect?
liver, kidneys, lungs and heart
What areas in the mouth does periodontitis affect?
periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, cementum and gingiva
What other conditions can occur other than periodontal disease?
caries - affects molars when food is fermented by bacteria (affects dogs, horses, chinchillas, rabbits)
Resorption lesions - associated with periodontitis but can be idiopathic (commonly in cats)
Retained deciduous teeth - baby teeth that don’t fall out. can cause malocclusion
Define Plaque
sticky film of bacteria on the teeth usually yellow/colourless
What is hardened plaque otherwise known as?
Calculus
What is the normal probing depth for cats?
0.5mm
What is the normal probing depth for dogs?
1-3mm
Why does the pharynx need to be higher than the mouth?
so no water or bits of debris go down the trachea or oesophagus
What does chlorhexidine do?
reduces bacteria in the air
Why do we not use the tip of the scaler?
it engraves the tooth
What is the function of the use of water in a dental?
cools the tooth and flushes calculus away
Where is the sub gingival lining?
the area under the gum line
Whats the function of polishing?
to remove the remaining plaque and smooth’s tooth surface
What instrument measures periodontal pockets/gingival recession?
periodontal probe
What allows better viewing of more difficult areas?
mirror
What does a hand scaler and curette do?
remove dental deposits, curette to be used subgingivally and scaler spragingivally
What does the ultrasonic scaler do?
vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies , removing calculus
What is used to sever the periodontal ligament to aid extraction?
luxator
what is used for tooth extraction?
dental elevators
When should you start toothbrushing?
as early as possible
