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Cat Dental Care

Over time, a cat's teeth accumulate tartar, just like our teeth do if not cleaned regularly. This can cause tooth deterioration, and infection, gum disease, and tooth loss. In turn this causes pain and difficulty in eating and grooming.

As they age, nearly all cats develop bad breath and tartar followed by gum disease and loose, infected teeth. Simple things you can do now while your cat is young and healthy make a big difference later on.

How often should your pet have a dental? Each animal is different. Even cats from the same litter, who eat the same food, may have very different dental needs.

When your vet examines and cleans your pet's teeth, he will anesthetize him, as dogs and cats are no fonder of a visit to the dentist than are their owners. You may want to schedule other care that may require anesthesia at the same time.

How about the cost of the vet-specialist? - Your veterinarian is a trained pet dentist, using the same tools your dentist does to clean your teeth. In addition to the time and skill involved, there is the cost of anesthesia, which is based on weight.

If your pet's teeth have not received regular care, and need extra treatment, including removal, the cost may be more.

It is important to know dental disease can spread to other organs of the body, causing serious and dangerous illness to your pet.

Some Problems that May Happen to Your Cat's Teeth:

Tartar buildup

Cats, like humans, have tartar buildup on their teeth called plaque. An accumulation of plaque can lead to peridontal (gum) problems, and the eventual loss of teeth.

Plaque is that stuff that forms on teeth between brushings. A mixture of bacteria, minerals from saliva, and gummy food particles, Plaque is soft at first, but gradually hardens and turns brown. This hardened material is called tartar.

Tartar gets up under the gums, causing periodontitis. In time teeth loosen, become painful, and eventually fall out. If you can prevent plaque from forming or remove it while still soft, you can prevent dental problems.

Plaque is a whitish-yellow deposit. Cats seem to accumulate plaque primarily on the exterior face of their upper teeth. Reddened gum lines can indicate irritation from plaque.

Some cats are more prone to plaque buildup than others. Some never need dental care, others need to have their teeth cleaned at regular intervals.

Rootwork

Cavities in cat teeth often occur just at or under the gum line. If your cat has an infected tooth, you will have to have root work done on it. It is typical to do x-rays after such a procedure to ensure that all of the roots have reabsorbed. If the roots haven't done so, then the infection can easily continue on up to the sinus and nasal passages and from there to the lungs. Such infections require long-term antibiotics.

Smelly breath

If your cat has smelly breath, there are various possible causes. Teething: at about 6 months of age, cats will lose their baby teeth and get permanent ones. If the gums are red and puffy and you can see the points of teeth breaking through here and there, the cat is just teething and the odor will subside as the teeth come in.

Gingivitus

if the gums appear red and puffy and you've ruled teething out, your cat may have a gum infection of some sort. Take the cat to the vet.

Diet

Certain foods, usually canned foods or prescription foods, can make your cat's breath smell. If possible, try changing your cat's diet.

Abscessed tooth

These may show no symptoms other than smelly breath. Drooling sometimes occurs in conjunction. The cat must be taken to the vet to have the abscess drained and possibly the teeth involved removed. If this is not done, the infection can easily spread to the sinuses and cause the face to swell, especially just under the eyes.

Tooth cleaning

You can brush your pet's teeth yourself. Special brushes that fit over the index finger and pet dental paste are available from your veterinarian or local pet store. However, it will take time and patience for your pet to become comfortable with this procedure: see the tips below!

Except of tooth brushing you can use an oral antibacterial. Next best is to treat you cat's mouth and teeth with a chlorhexidine antibacterial gel. This quite effective and a lot easier than brushing. Put a little get on a Q Tip or on the end of your finger and put a little between the cat's cheek and back teeth. Alternate sides each day. Or try to use enzyme-treated dental chews. An easier alternative is to give one or two enzyme-treated dental chew biscuits every day.

Many vets encourage you to bring your cat in annually for teeth cleaning, using a general anesthetic. The cost, which can be considerable, and the risk of the anesthesia itself are both good incentives for doing some cat dental care at home.

If you must have the vet clean your cat's teeth, see if your vet is willing to try a mild sedative (rather than putting the cat under entirely) first when cleaning the teeth. If your cat is an older cat (5 years or more) and it must be put under, see if the vet will use a gas anesthesia rather than an injected form.

If your pet does not take to tooth brushing, or you just don't have the time or patience plan on taking your pet in for regular dental care! Or try to do it by yourself with the help of following tips:

Brush your cat's teeth once a week. Use little cat toothbrushes, or soft child-size toothbrushes, and edible cat toothpaste (available at most vets or pet stores).

Cats often hate to have their teeth brushed, so you may have to use a bath towel straightjacket and a helper. If you are skilled and have a compliant cat, you can clean its teeth using the same type of tool the human dentist does.

Time and patience are the key:

1. Start with gently teaching your pet to be accustomed to your placing your finger in his mouth, on his / her teeth.

2. Then accustom your pet to the toothbrush - for cats, try using water-pack tuna juice on the brush.

3. Then begin to use pet dental paste.

Be sure to only use pet dental paste, NOT human toothpaste!

CAT TOOTH BRUSHIG STEP BY STEP

Step 1 - Select an appropriate time.
Find a quiet, convenient time when you and your cat are both relaxed.

Step 2 - Acquaint your cat with the process.
For the first few sessions don't even use a toothbrush. Hold your cat the same as when you are cuddling her. Gently stroke the outside of her cheeks with your finger. After she becomes comfortable with that, place a dab of toothpaste on your finger and let her taste it. We usually suggest starting with C.E.T. poultry flavored toothpaste, because pets like the taste.

Step 3 - Introduce the Toothbrush.
Place a small amount of toothpaste on the brush. In a slow circular motion, brush one or two teeth and the adjoining gum line. The purpose of this step is to get your cat accustomed to the feel of the brush.

Step 4 - Begin Brushing.
Over the next several days, gradually increase the number of teeth brushed. It is important to eventually brush the rear teeth where plaque and tartar have a greater tendency to accumulate. Go slowly and gently.. Stop brushing when you decide to stop, before your cat begins to fuss. If she learns to dislike the procedure and finds out that more fussing makes you stop quicker, then this brushing business is going to get harder, not easier. Build up to about 30 seconds per side. Cats don't get much tartar on the inside surfaces of their teeth, so you only need to worry about the outside surfaces, especially the big teeth way in back.

Make tooth brushing a pleasurable experience.
Proceed slowly and gently. Stop each session while it is still fun and praise your cat afterwards. She will soon start looking forward to tooth brushing and it will become a pleasant activity for both of you.