Aerobes in periodontal disease in the dog: a review.

Periodontal disease has been shown to be caused by bacteria. Periodontal inflammation results as the plaque bacteria change from a predominantly non-motile, Gram-positive, aerobic coccoid microbiotal flora to a more motile, Gram-negative, anaerobic, rod-shaped flora. A review of the literature related to aerobic flora is included. The important effects of aerobic flora as well as their importance in contributing to periodontal disease development is reported.