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Cat Facts: Bringing Up Kitty: Good Grooming Feline Dentistry From the Editors of Cat Facts |
 Problems involving the gums and teeth are very common in cats. In fact, surveys have shown that as many as 70% of all cats over the age of two suffer from significant dental disease. Far from being harmless or isolated, oral disease can eventually lead to serious systemic problems for your cat.
How can you help your cat's teeth and gums stay healthy? The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends a full dental cleaning, under anesthesia, every six months. But the most important ingredient of dental health is home care. Consistent attention to your cat's teeth at home can result in less frequent veterinary cleanings. Home Dental Care First, teach your cat to accept daily brushing or wiping of the teeth. Such training should ideally be started at a young age. Using a toothbrush designed for cats (human toothbrushes are too large and stiff), apply the bristles to the teeth at a 45-degree angle to the gums, reaching both the tooth surface and the area just beneath the gum margin. Do not use human toothpaste, which is not formulated to be swallowed. Instead, try specially formulated pet toothpaste, which is flavored appropriately for your cat and is harmless if swallowed. Pet toothpastes contain enzymes that help remove plaque, and do not require rinsing. Alternatively, you can use no toothpaste and simply allow the mechanical action of brushing to remove build-up. Use small circular motions with the brush, taking care to get the bristles under the gumline. Because plaque does not build up on the inside surfaces of cat teeth (as it does in humans), only the outside surfaces need to be brushed. Alternatively, a gauze pad wrapped around a finger can provide an adequately abrasive surface for wiping teeth; however, wiping is less likely to reach beneath the gum margin, an important area for plaque accumulation. Since the goal of dental home care is to remove plaque before it hardens into calculus, success depends on your ability to brush your cat‚s teeth each day (or at least twice a week). Start slowly and try to end on a positive note; your cat is likely to learn to enjoy brushing if you are persistent and gentle. Veterinary Dental Care Your cat's teeth will be examined as part of her annual check-up. Evidence of gum or tooth disease may require therapeutic care such as antibiotics, cleaning (beneath the gum line as well as the visible surfaces of the teeth) and, if needed, extraction of some teeth. Clinical signs of advanced gum disease, or gingivitis, include bad breath, reddened gums, yellowish-brown tartar on teeth, and drooling. When gingivitis is severe, cats may be reluctant to eat, even dropping food from their mouths, and may lose weight. A very common dental problem in cats is feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORL), sometimes called cervical or neck lesions (referring to the "neck" of the tooth). Most middle-aged and older cats are afflicted with some degree of this painful disorder. While the exact cause of FORL is not known, it is believed to be an allergic reaction to dental plaque (rather than a result of bacterial invasion, implicated in human cavities). Symptoms may include excessive salivation, bleeding from the mouth, and reluctance to chew food (which may lead to weight loss). Some cats, however, show no symptoms at all, although it is assumed that they feel some pain or discomfort. Your veterinarian can help determine whether your cat‚s teeth show signs of FORL, and will discuss the best approach for treatment. When needed (and it probably will be needed at some point), your veterinarian will suggest a professional cleaning. Performed regularly while the cat is under anesthesia, this procedure is the best way to ensure dental health in adult cats. First, your cat's mouth is examined methodically, with each tooth evaluated for its individual health. Plaque and calculus are entirely removed, both from visible tooth surfaces and from the gingival pocket between teeth and gums. If needed, subgingival (below the gumline) procedures such as root planing and curettage are performed to smooth any roughened surfaces and remove deposits at the tooth root. Any loosened or fractured teeth are extracted or otherwise stabilized. Finally, teeth are polished and irrigated to smooth uneven surfaces and remove any remaining plaque. Finally, fluoride is applied to teeth for lasting protection. Your cat may be sent home with a medicated or fluoridated oral spray or gel to help with aftercare. The practice of professional veterinary dentistry -- both preventive and therapeutic -- is growing very quickly as pet owners realize the importance of oral health. With the help of good veterinary care and some simple attention at home, you can increase the odds that your cat's teeth will be as healthy as possible. |
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