Relevance of periodontal disease as a precursor to systemic disorders in companion animals

Abstract

Periodontal disease (periodontitis) is an oral condition characterized by the involvement of the periodontium, that is, structures that protect and support the teeth. It is commonly diagnosed in small animals, especially in the elderly, and is a frequent cause of tooth loss in both dogs and cats. The etiological factor of periodontal disease is the organized sub- and supragingival plaque and numerous factors are responsible for the predisposition of the disease such as age, race, size and immunity of the patient. The symptomatology of the affected animals varies according to the degree of involvement of the disease, but they usually include halitosis, hyperemia, bleeding and gingival retraction, odontoliths, contact gingival ulcers, furcation exposure and tooth loss. The diagnosis is based on history, complete anamnesis, thorough examination of the oral cavity associated with extra and intraoral x-rays. The periodontal treatment has the purpose of eliminating the causal agent, removing dental stones, tooth extractions and polishing the remaining dental elements. In addition to local changes, periodontal disease can cause systemic damage, due to the rich vascularization of the periodontium and tooth movement in the tooth socket, allowing bacteria and their metabolites to enter the lymphatic and blood vessels during patient chewing, causing organ failure. In view of the high incidence of periodontal disease in pets and the consequent local and systemic changes, the objective of the current work was to carry out a bibliographic survey on this oral condition in dogs and cats, highlighting the damage to other organs due to bacteremia. In this context, the scientific literature emphasizes that the systemic immune response secondary to bacteremia predisposes the formation of immune complexes in the bloodstream that adhere to the walls of the endothelium causing local inflammation and endothelial lysis of the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, bones, among others, reflecting on diverse symptomatology. Thus, it is assumed that early diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease can prevent the establishment and local progression of oral disease and, consequently, systemic impairments that directly affect the quality of life and survival of the affected.