Peridontal Disease Flashcards
What factors predispose dogs to periodontal disease? (8)
- breed (toy, small dogs and dogs with short muzzles are predisposed to over crowding, rotation of teeth and misalignment)
- Age – the older the dog the longer dental disease has to accumulate
- Immune system health. Nutrition can contribute to mouth environment and feeding dry food alone is not god enough to prevent dental disease
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Pemphigus
- Pregnancy
- Renal disease
What factors predispose cats to periodontal disease? (12)
diabetes, FIV, Felv, FCV, pregnancy, renal disease, pemphigus, tooth alignment, diet, oral dental care, breed (Somalian, Siamese, abysinnian) and genetics (85% cats >3yo have some form of dental disease)
What are the periodontal tissues?
- Gingiva, cementum, alveolar bone and periodontal ligament
What is periodontal disease?
- comment on the inadequacy of the description ‘rotten teeth’.
- Dx process that begins with gingivitis and progress too periodontitis when left untreated
- What is the difference between gingivitis & periodontitis? – make sure you can describe the disease progression
- Gingivitis – inflammation of the gingiva without the loss of supportive structures
- Periodontitis is a destructive process involving the loss of supportive structures of the teeth – periodontium, gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum +/- alveolar bone
- In veterinary practice what should a “dental” consist of?
- How would you educate owners to understand what this entails and to encourage them to perceive they are getting value for money?
- Dental: scale, polish, general exam, GA
- Added costs – extractions, radiographs, analgesia, antibiotics
- What is a “scale & polish”?
- How is it done, why is it done & how long does any beneficial effect last?
supragingival scaling – removal of plaque and calculus about gingival margin
subgingival scaling (below gingival margin),
root plaining (removal of the superficial layer of cementum from the root)
forceps to remove large pieces of calculus
ultrasonic scaler to scale the tooth
polish with fine grit polishing paste with soft rubber cup
Home dental care is vital
- What advice should you give?
- Regularly brushing of teeth = gold standard (owner compliance poor)
- Hard Kibble
- Grooming habits – hair round teeth increases tartar buid up
- Specialist diet if problem
- More important in older animals – esp. older cats
Mrs Crompton-Smythe is not happy. Fluffles, her 11year old poodle has just been for a routine geriatric appointment and the young vet claimed there were a few rotten teeth and that Mrs Crompton-Smythe needs to brush Fluffles’ teeth. This seems ridiculous! Only a year ago she paid for a dental by her favourite senior partner, (wonderful Mr Lightyear) and he made those teeth sparkle! Fluffles also had a check-up and booster vaccination with the other partner (Katrin) a few months ago and she didn’t mention any problems then.
Mrs Crompton-Smythe worries that young vets are just out to make money and is off to reception to make a complaint.
- Client education & avoiding complaints- what went wrong in this scenario and how can we deal with it now?
- Teeth weren’t correctly checked at prior clinical exam
- Clarify what is going to be done in the ‘full dental’ and what the findings were
- Make clear that one time dental is not going to cure the dental disease for ever – need regular management
- Offer free dental consult
- Stress how important dental hygiene is for animals
- Consistency – all vets should follow the same protocol, same advice should be given from every vet and nurse they speak to
- Gingivitis and periodontitis are more important to focus on than tartar built up
- What opportunities are available in general practice to educate owners about dental care?
- First time you meet them/ puppy consult to speak to them about the important of dental hygiene – relate back to human oral hygiene
- Nurse appointments/ dental clinics to help educate owners on the importance
- Consistency – make sure all vets and nurses are giving the same advice
- End up saving money in the long term – dentals are expensive
