Why Feline Dental Health Matters More Than You Think
Pet owners sometimes overlook the importance of feline dental health and its impact on their cats’ overall well-being. Understanding the dangers of poor oral health and knowing how to keep your cat’s teeth and gums in good condition can improve your pet’s quality of life.
Professional feline dental care requires the expertise of a veterinarian in Queen Creek, Arizona. Consult our guide below to learn more about cat dental issues and treatments, then head to Revel Vet for a dental exam.
The Importance of Oral Hygiene for Cats
Like people, cats can experience a range of dental issues. Everything from tooth infections to gum disease can develop in felines that don’t receive regular oral health care. Because cats instinctively hide pain and discomfort, you might not realize that your pet has a concerning problem.
Some dental issues, like periodontal disease, can cause other health complications without proper treatment. The condition can trigger other painful problems with their teeth, which may require extraction. Bacteria from the mouth can also enter the animal’s bloodstream, spread to vital organs, and damage their liver, heart, or kidneys.
The good news is that most feline dental health problems are preventable or treatable with routine care and consistent monitoring. The sooner you address your pet’s oral health needs, the better.
Common Dental Problems Cats Experience
Cats can experience one or more feline dental health issues. Below are the most common conditions:
Tartar and Plaque Buildup
Plaque refers to the thin film that collects on teeth. It’s full of bacteria along with saliva and leftover food particles.
Cats use their teeth to rip and tear food, so particles and bacteria can easily hide between teeth and under the gumline. Although eating and the cat’s natural grooming habits remove some plaque, they won’t eliminate all of it. Remaining plaque can harden over time and become tartar.
Plaque and tartar buildup are problematic because they make it easier for bacteria to accumulate and spread. The rough surface of tartar is perfect for plaque to stick to, which gives bacteria another place to thrive.
Gingivitis
Excessive plaque buildup around the gumline can cause gingivitis or inflammation of the gum tissues. This condition causes a cat’s gums to become swollen, red, and painful.
The longer the plaque remains on teeth, the deeper into the gumline the bacteria will migrate. The painful inflammation is the animal’s immune response to the bacteria.
For cats, gingivitis is a reversible condition. Treatment options may include the following:
- Oral medication
- Daily teeth brushing
- Dental descaling at the vet to remove the plaque under the gums
Periodontitis
Periodontitis, also called periodontal disease, is what happens when you don’t address tartar, plaque, and gingivitis. Evidence of the condition is extensive gum tissue damage. The disease can also impact the ligaments that hold teeth to the gums and the underlying bone.
While treatable, periodontitis is not reversible. To avoid complications from this feline dental health issue, such as tooth loss, vets will thoroughly clean above and below the gumline after putting the cat under anesthesia. Veterinarians will also take X-rays of the cat’s mouth to better understand the extent of the periodontal disease and associated bone loss.
Tooth Resorption
Although feline dental health issues can mimic the oral health challenges humans face, cavities are not something cats experience. Instead of cavities due to tooth decay, cats develop resorption lesions.
Tooth resorption refers to the destruction of a tooth’s structure from the inside out. A cat may lose the crown of their tooth, and the gum tissue may cover the tooth root.
The actual cause of tooth resorption is unclear. However, experts think inflammation from gum disease may trigger the condition. Treatment includes surgical tooth extraction.
Stomatitis
A cat with severe oral inflammation may have stomatitis. This underlying cause of this condition is unknown, but many think it could stem from adverse reactions to an animal’s own oral bacteria. The inflammation causes significant pain, which can negatively impact the pet’s quality of life.
Treating stomatitis requires several medications, including pain relievers and antibiotics. Regular at-home oral care is also necessary. In severe cases, a vet may recommend partial or whole-mouth tooth extraction.
Warning Signs That Your Cat May Have a Dental Issue
Determining if your cat has a feline dental health issue can be difficult. It’s not uncommon for cats to hide their discomfort for a long time. That’s why it’s important to recognize potential warning signs so that you know when to take action and help your companion.
Here are common symptoms to watch for:
- Bleeding in the mouth
- Abnormal biting or chewing
- Inability to hold food within their mouth
- Teeth discoloration
- Bad breath
- Constant pawing at the head, mouth, or face
- Lack of appetite
- Refusing to eat dry food or swallowing dry food whole
- Excessive drooling
- Head shaking
It’s easy to overlook or miss some of these symptoms, especially if they don’t occur often. However, the more symptoms your pet experiences, the more progressive their dental condition may be.
Contact your veterinarian if your pet is showing possible signs of dental disease. The vet will conduct a thorough dental examination to identify the root of the issue and create a long-term treatment plan.
Treating Feline Dental Issues
It’s best to seek an exam and treatment for dental health conditions as soon as possible if symptoms are present. The longer your pet goes without a diagnosis and treatment plan, the more their teeth and gum tissues will deteriorate. In the worst-case scenario, the disease can progress enough to cause complications with the cat’s overall health.
Treatment options for feline dental problems depend on the vet’s diagnosis. Some problems, like plaque buildup, may only require a routine cleaning to remove mineral buildup and polish the teeth. Brushing your cat’s teeth at home after the professional cleaning can prevent the buildup from recurring and hardening into tartar, which you can’t remove using a toothbrush.
In other cases, the cat may require oral medications to relieve pain, fight infections, and reduce inflammation and swelling. Dental surgery, including extractions, may also be necessary.
How To Keep Your Cat’s Teeth and Gums Healthy
Caring for your cat’s teeth and gums should be a daily activity, much like caring for your own smile. Here’s what you can do to ensure your pet’s comfort and health.
Feed Your Pet a Healthy Diet
Healthy teeth and gums start with a healthy diet. Giving your cat nutrient-dense foods helps strengthen their immune system. A strong immune system will help them fight illnesses and speed up recovery.
Depending on your cat’s age, health, and dental condition, your vet may recommend specially formulated food to help slow the growth and spread of oral bacteria and plaque. These foods often have bigger pieces than store-bought kibble to encourage cats to chew. The chewing and grinding help the food scrape particles from the surface of the animal’s teeth.
Dental supplements are also helpful in some cases. Oral rinses can add a layer of protection to the surface of a cat’s teeth. Some supplements are mixable with water and can kill oral germs to freshen breath.
Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
Cleaning your cat’s teeth is one of the best ways to keep their mouth healthy and fresh. With the help of a cat-specific toothbrush and toothpaste, you can gently remove plaque and food particles from their teeth and gumline, which will help prevent problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease. Be sure not to use your own toothpaste to clean your pet’s teeth because human toothpaste can be toxic to cats.
Plaque can stay on the surface of a tooth for a long time, yet it only takes about three days for it to harden. Once plaque turns into tartar, brushing alone won’t be enough to remove the buildup. That’s why daily brushing is advisable.
It can take a while for cats to get used to the toothbrushing routine, and for some, they simply won’t allow it. If that’s the case with your pet, you could try wiping their teeth with a clean gauze pad every other day. Dry foods, oral rinses, and certain treats may also help with oral hygiene.
Create and Maintain an Oral Hygiene Routine for Your Pet
Once you learn the right oral health practices that work well for your cat, create a routine. Consistency is essential for preventing feline dental health problems.
Toothbrushing should occur daily, or every two to three days if your cat is not comfortable with brushing. Administer oral rinses and supplements according to your vet’s suggested frequency.
When it comes to professional services, consider scheduling preventative tooth cleanings and exams once every six to 12 months. Your veterinarian may alter the cleaning schedule depending on your pet’s condition. For instance, a cat with healthy teeth and gums may only need once-annual cleanings, but one with advanced periodontitis may require more frequent appointments.
How To Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
It takes time getting a cat used to teeth brushing, but it’s necessary. It’s best to implement oral hygiene practices while your pet is still a kitten to minimize their stress and help them get used to the process.
For optimal effectiveness, you want to make dental care a hassle-free part of your cat’s daily routine, regardless of their age. To do that, follow these steps.
1. Massage the Cat’s Teeth and Gums With Your Finger
Don’t immediately approach your pet with a toothbrush. First, gently lift their lips and massage their teeth and gums with a clean finger for a few seconds.
2. Manage Your Expectations
At first, you may only be able to massage a few teeth with your finger. The point of this process isn’t to clean the cat’s entire mouth, but to get them used to the cleaning process. Take this time to build trust with your cat, who may be agitated in the beginning.
Stay calm and give lots of encouragement. As their tolerance grows, gradually increase the time you spend massaging their teeth and gums.
3. Gradually Switch From a Finger to a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
After a while, you can replace your finger with a cat-specific toothbrush and toothpaste. Keep the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle so the bristles clean where the teeth and gums meet.
Move the brush in a gentle oval pattern to clean several teeth at once. Make about ten motions per section to ensure a good clean.
Schedule a Dental Cleaning Appointment for Your Beloved Cat Today
Taking control of your cat’s oral health is crucial for their overall health and happiness. Feline dental health problems include everything from gingivitis to excess plaque. Without regular care and routine pet dental exams, your pet could develop conditions with varying symptoms that can create discomfort.
Revel Vet in Queen Creek, Arizona, is here to help. Our veterinary hospital offers a wide range of services for cats and dogs, including dental care, physical examinations, and vaccinations. We treat animals in a calming, stress-free environment to ensure their comfort.
Contact our team at Revel Vet today at (480) 701-8609 to book your cat’s next dental exam and teeth cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Feline Dental Health
Consider our answers to common feline dental health questions to learn more about the topic.
Do I Need To Clean My Cat’s Teeth Often?
You should clean your cat’s teeth as often as they will let you, or at least a few times per week. They usually need professional cleanings once a year, but older cats at risk of periodontal disease may need more frequent cleanings.
Is It Too Late To Start Brushing My Pet’s Teeth?
It’s never too late to provide at-home or professional dental care for your cat. Before you start brushing your pet’s teeth, get a checkup with your vet to ensure they do not have feline dental health issues that could cause pain when brushing teeth.
Are There Effective Alternatives to Brushing My Cat’s Teeth?
Brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to maintain their oral hygiene. However, vet-approved dental diets, dental wipes, special chews, and certain treats can help keep teeth and gums healthy.
