Although you may be familiar with cat tooth disease, how frequently do you think about the state of your cat's teeth?
As with humans and dogs, the state of our cats' mouths and teeth is crucial to their overall health. Dental health in cats is sometimes overlooked. Because they are such resilient animals, cats will typically prefer to feed over starvation, regardless of the anguish and suffering it causes them.
Cats can therefore have fairly serious dental issues without ever exhibiting any symptoms. We are responsible for taking the same care of our cats' mouths as we do with the rest of them.
Why Does Cat Dental Care Matter?
Like humans, cats naturally collect germs and food residue on their teeth. A common, unhealthy cat gum issue is plaque. It is a complex biofilm that sticks to teeth. Without frequent plaque removal, gum irritation is called gingivitis.
A thorough dental cleaning can reverse gingivitis. Unfortunately, untreated gingivitis can cause irreparable oral tissue and bone damage. Dental illness is linked to kidney, liver, heart, diabetes, and other significant systemic diseases.
Dental care is one of the finest things cat owners can do for their cats' long-term health. Cat dental problems can be prevented with at-home care and routine mouth exams.
Many cat owners are astonished to find that cats, like people, need at-home dental care to prevent periodontal disease. Read on to learn how to enhance your cat's oral hygiene and prevent dental disorders.
Cats may be unable to eat or drink due to oral pain and inflammation, and germs can enter their bloodstream and damage their kidneys and other organs.
The most frequent dental problem in adult cats and dogs is "periodontal disease," which destroys gums, teeth, and tooth-supporting tissues.
Fortunately, periodontal disease is preventable. You must take steps to preserve your cat's dental and general health. These include home and yearly veterinary dental care.
What cat toothache symptoms should you look for?
Cats have a complex jaw-tooth relationship, making their oral cavity more complicated than dogs' or humans'.
Gum disease
Many microbes devour food particles and stick to tooth surfaces in the mouth. Biofilm on teeth is called 'plaque'. When plaque hardens and collects food particles, it becomes 'tartar'.
Infection and tooth attachment weakness result from plaque and tartar under the gum line, known as 'periodontitis' or 'periodontal disease'. Teeth sensitivity makes the treatment uncomfortable.
Slow deterioration of tooth structure
A disease can cause cats' teeth to fuse with their jawbone. Additionally, they may develop 'neck lesions' or cavities. This illness causes severe cat dental problems and may be difficult to cure.
Psychological anguish
Due to their outside mischief and battles, cats often suffer from trauma. Broken teeth, especially in cats' extended cats, might worsen their dental health due to pain and infection.
Immune system disorders
Sometimes a cat's immune system reacts too strongly to oral bacteria. Despite having healthy teeth, some cats may develop 'cat chronic gingivostomatitis', a severe form of gingivitis and stomatitis. Young cats may develop this condition due to cat infections, including calicivirus and herpesvirus. The pain is severe.
How do I clean cat teeth?
To keep your cat's teeth and gums healthy, brush daily or twice a week. Adult cats may dislike having their teeth cleaned, so start by getting them used to it with your fingers in their mouth as kittens. Use a finger cot or cat toothpaste-covered gauze to ease your kitty into the experience. Covering your fingers with tuna water will also make them happier.
Can I use human toothpaste on my cat's teeth?
For your cat's frequent teeth cleaning, you need the correct tools. Veterinarians and pet retailers sell complete dental kits. Never brush cats' teeth with human toothpaste.
Human toothpaste contains high quantities of fluoride, which can make your cat very sick. Since you can't regulate how much toothpaste they take, avoid this. Cat toothpaste with beef or chicken flavour is commonly available and fluoride-free.
You may brush your cat's teeth with sterile gauze strips or a cat-specific rubber toothbrush or finger brush. Cradle them from behind to calm and support them, softly tilt their head back, and lift their chin to open their jaws and make tooth checking easier.
Avoid dental floss. Swallowing and intestinal injury are serious risks for cats with this popular home item.
Dental disease consequences: Can periodontitis kill my cat?
Most cats will have dental disease, which we can only control. Dental illness causes symptoms of toothache in cats. As noted, cats are hardy and may not exhibit their pain until it's severe. Pain will make it difficult to eat, and they may starve.
Dental disease can cause renal and cardiac issues in senior cats. Even though dental disease seldom kills cats, you must treat it seriously for these reasons and their quality of life. All of these cat oral disorders are treatable, but they need early management.
What Should You Do If You Notice Cat Teeth Problems?
Veterinarian guidance should be sought early once you detect cat dental problems. Early detection makes management and repair easier. Your vet will examine your cat, including the mouth (if feasible), and help you create a strategy to return its mouth to health.
Sedation or anesthesia may be needed to completely examine a conscious cat, especially if the mouth is uncomfortable.
Your vet may recommend a general anaesthetic dental operation or COHAT (complete oral health evaluation and treatment) to fix the teeth. Your cat's other medical concerns may need to be evaluated and treated first.
Brush cat teeth
Brushing your cat's teeth removes plaque the best. Remember that plaque causes many symptoms of toothache in cats and costly dental issues. Veterinarians recommend daily brushing, but many cat owners cannot afford it. We recommend cleaning their teeth twice a week, since it's easier than you think.
Cat Teeth Inspection
To peek inside your cat's mouth, carefully raise their lips while they're sleeping. Sneak a peek when they're playing with a toy. Just glance inside your cat's jaws.
Check their teeth for chips and debris. Unhealthy cat gums are detectable by checking the gum line. It should be pink and devoid of bleeding, swelling, or redness.
Check the back of their mouth for sores, swelling, and ulcers. These symptoms may suggest stomatitis, which affects 10% of cats.
Keep the cat's mouth microbiome healthy.
Your cat's mouth has a diverse oral microbiome of bacteria and other microbes. Your cat's teeth must be cleaned regularly to remove bacteria, especially bad breath-causing ones.
However, your cat's mouth includes good microorganisms that prevent disease and plaque.
How Can I Inspect My Cat's Mouth for Cat Dental Issues?
Although your cat may not like it, it's necessary to inspect its mouth often. If your pet is upset or you can't properly inspect their mouth, take them to the doctor.
Clean, white, chip-free cat teeth are healthy. Their gums should be pink and healthy, without ulcers, lesions, redness, swelling, or bleeding.
Check the rear of your cat's mouth for symptoms of toothache in cats, swelling, sores, or strange lumps and ulcers, and the inside for scabs. Any abnormalities should be checked by a professional immediately.
Your cat's breath shouldn't smell bad. If it occurs, it may indicate an illness in their mouth or elsewhere in their body, so take them to the vet if their breath smells different within a short period of time. Bad breath may signal a serious periodontal disease that needs treatment.
Watch for additional indicators of dental illness, such as drooling, trouble swallowing, face pawing, or weight or feeding changes in your cat.