Cats often do not exhibit obvious symptoms of dental disease until advanced periodontitis has set in, when bacteria has severely inflamed gum tissues causing them to swell and recede, leading to unstable teeth that eventually need extraction.
Prevention of gum disease can be straightforward. Regular dental cleanings by your veterinarian to remove hardened plaque can help, as can commercially available dental diets that contain larger or irregularly-shaped kibble that encourage chewing and can reduce plaque build-up.
Brushing
Your cat should have its teeth professionally brushed on a daily basis with pet-specific toothpaste designed specifically to do just that, using an appropriate toothbrush designed for cats. Accustoming them early on to having their mouth touched will help avoid gum disease, tooth decay and other dental complications in later years.
Gingivitis-causing bacteria accumulate at and below the gumline where gums meet teeth (gingiva). Once there, they attack cells that serve as protective barriers between gum tissue and tooth roots.
Every year, every pet should undergo an oral exam and dental cleaning with their veterinarian in order to detect and address any potential issues that may arise. A vet will use ultrasonic and manual scaling methods to remove plaque and tartar build-up while probing for signs of inflammation around gums, polishing teeth and taking x-rays during this procedure.
Dental Rinse
Dental rinses, combined with a dental diet and chew toys free from rawhide (which could block their tongues or cause digestive issues), can significantly decrease plaque accumulation in cats. Consult your veterinarian about which products would work best.
Plaque is a soft grey or white film that forms on tooth surfaces and contains bacteria. If left unchecked, plaque can combine with saliva and minerals in saliva production to form tartar which cannot be removed via brushing alone but requires a full oral exam with anesthesia in order to be successfully eliminated.
Untreated gum disease can quickly progress into periodontitis, which destroys the bone and tissue supporting teeth, ultimately leading to their loss and organ damage (such as heart disease). Early diagnosis with daily brushing, regular cleanings, and routine X-ray exams can stop or reverse its progress.
Dental Food
Gingivitis and periodontitis arise when bacteria build up beneath the gum line, inflaming soft tissues that anchor teeth as well as bones supporting them, ultimately resulting in loosening and eventual loss of teeth. Cats suffering from advanced periodontitis may display symptoms such as mouth pain, drooling and difficulty eating.
Veterinarians can examine red and inflamed gums, press gently on them to assess bleeding, and look for tartar buildup on teeth. But, for an accurate assessment of damage done to an animal’s periodontal health, dental X-rays performed under anesthesia are the best way to assess damage: They’ll show that underlying dental structures have lost normal density and definition, indicating serious periodontitis which often requires extraction of some teeth.
Dental Cleaning
Unless plaque — a sticky film of bacteria — is removed promptly, gum infection (gingivitis) occurs. Gingivitis causes red, swollen and painful gums and may lead to periodontitis; additionally, bacteria from plaque may enter the bloodstream and attack organs like the lungs, liver and kidney.
Cats suffering from severe gum disease (periodontitis) may stop eating, drool excessively and paw at their mouths in discomfort; weight may drop off drastically as a result. A veterinarian should be called immediately as treatment usually involves scaling and polishing as well as antibiotics if necessary; extractions may be required in cases with severely damaged or infected jaws.
Dental Extractions
Though tooth and gum disease in cats is irreversible, preventive measures can significantly enhance its health. Proper feeding (dry food as opposed to wet), regular dental cleanings, daily brushing with an appropriate cat toothbrush, mouth rinses, and safe chew toys all help minimize plaque buildup and bacteria accumulation in their mouths.
Left untreated, plaque hardens into tartar (calculus). Tartar cannot be easily removed by brushing alone and requires professional dental scaling with local anaesthetic for its removal. After that is completed, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, immunomodulators and oral home care treatments may also be administered; additionally x-rays may also be utilized to determine if additional services such as root canal therapy is necessary.https://www.youtube.com/embed/KyKnh6DvFYI