Gingivitis around the deciduous teeth of sheep.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Animal Dentistry
• Ovine Health

Background:

• Gingivitis and sulcular epithelial changes are common in sheep.
• Dental wear patterns can vary significantly between sheep farms.
• The relationship between dental wear and oral pathology in sheep requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the severity of gingivitis and sulcular epithelial proliferation in sheep with differing degrees of tooth wear.
• To investigate the influence of farm-specific factors on the pathogenesis of oral inflammation in sheep.

Main Methods:

• Histopathological examination of mandibular incisors and premolars from 208 sheep (aged 6-141 weeks) from two farms with contrasting tooth wear.
• Subjective assessment of gingival inflammatory reactions (neutrophils, mononuclear cells) and sulcular epithelial changes.

Main Results:

• Sheep from farm G (little tooth wear) exhibited more extensive gingival inflammation and a greater tendency for inflammatory spread compared to farm W (excessive tooth wear).
• Sulcus length was greater in sheep from farm G, but sulcular epithelial proliferation (width and length) was not significantly different between farms.
• Initial neutrophilic reactions were observed in both groups, with mononuclear cell involvement increasing with age, particularly in farm G sheep.

Conclusions:

• Excessive tooth wear on farm W may arrest the severity of gingivitis at an earlier stage compared to farm G.
• The pathogenesis of sulcular epithelial proliferation might differ from that of gingival inflammation in sheep.
• Farm-specific factors influence the progression of oral inflammatory conditions in sheep.