Cat dental care - a cat owner's guide
Here at Blythwood Vets, we consider your cat’s dental hygiene just as important as any other routine and preventative treatment. This is why we recommend preventative dental care. Like humans, cats can develop a build-up of tartar, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing your cat’s teeth once or twice a day is one of the most effective routines to ensure good dental and oral health. If you require further support regarding cat dental care for your feline companion, here at Blythwood Vets, we are happy to advise and help regarding the recommended products or dental diets for your cat.
Symptoms of dental disease in cats
Cats can be very good at hiding signs of pain. As such, even the most vigilant of owners aren’t aware that their cat has dental disease; this is why our vets and nurses perform a dental check at each general consultation. Some cats with severe dental disease, root exposure, severe gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), or tooth root infections will continue to eat, showing only subtle signs that there is a problem. Catching dental disease early can reduce the number of extractions required from not noticing earlier signs of dental disease.
Plaque can be removed by tooth brushing; however, tarter will not be removed by brushing alone; if this is already present, the best action for this is a scale and polish to remove this, followed by tooth brushing to prevent the buildup from occurring again. A general anaesthesia is required for all dental procedures; however, a scale and polish procedure is much shorter with a faster recovery compared to your cat having multiple extractions.
What are the signs of cat dental disease?
- bad breath (halitosis)
- visible tartar buildup on teeth
- red or inflamed gums (gingivitis)
- discoloured teeth
- drooling
- loose teeth
- bleeding from the mouth
- slowness or reluctance to eat
- chewing on one side of the mouth
- dropping food from the mouth when eating
- swelling around the mouth (from potential tooth root abscesses).
How can cat dental disease and issues this be prevented?
The best way to maintain healthy teeth is to brush your cat’s teeth daily. The Blythwoods Vets team would be happy to help with advice on introducing this dental care routine to your cat.
It can also be beneficial to have a scale and polish performed regularly to clean the teeth thoroughly. This is similar to the treatment we would receive from a dental hygienist. These are done under a short general anaesthetic as cats won’t sit in one position for a prolonged period, and understandably, the safety and comfort of your cat and our vets during procedure are top priorities.
Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs)
Cats also get another form of dental disease known as feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs). It has an unknown cause, but 75% of cats are thought to be affected. It is particularly common in cats over five years but can occur at any age.
In these lesions, part of the tooth is eaten away by the tooth itself, forming a small hole in the enamel close to the gum line. These lesions are very painful for cats and can lead to tooth fractures as they weaken the teeth. They require extraction to resolve.
If you have concerns for you car, book a cat dental care appointment today.
