Cat Oral Care Tips:

There are many different breeds of cats, and almost all of them suffer from different problems related to both the gums and teeth.



Though these teeth problems are usually not very harmful, they can make your cats suffer because of the pain and discomfort that they eventually cause. It is estimated that more than 70% of cats suffer from some or the other form of dental problems. This makes cat teeth care even more essential.

If you want to keep your cat’s teeth and gums healthy, there are two primary methods.



The first one is to have regular dental cleaning. This is a painful process and is usually performed after giving anesthesia to the animal. Cat teeth cleaning is usually done once every six months. However, home care after the cleaning is equally important.



When you take good care of your cat’s teeth at home, you will not have to make frequent trips to the veterinarian.

Regular dental care of the teeth and gums of cats includes annual examinations of the teeth. This helps the doctor to identify abnormalities or illnesses in the cat’s mouth. This annual examination can uncover bad breath, broken or loose teeth, inflamed and reddened gums, tartar build up on the teeth, and gingivitis. If the cat has not been eating well lately or is refusing solid food, a cursory examination of the mouth should be done immediately. A more detailed examination can be done at a doctor’s office if you are not able to find anything amiss.  

Brushing cat teeth on a regular basis can usually take care of most of the ailments that cats may suffer from. Older cats usually suffer from degradation of teeth and a dental problem that is known as feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions. If your cat is salivating excessively and has been bleeding from the mouth, this could present a problem. You should immediately get the cat checked for dental problems. Cat teeth grinding is often a problem with cats. Cats usually grind their teeth when they are in pain and this causes further degradation of their teeth. If you have been taking your cat to a veterinarian regularly every year for a dental checkup, it can help in identifying problems of the teeth at an early stage. Ultimately, this will prevent decay of the teeth and other dental problems. Regular brushing with a soft bristled brush can also help keep dental problems at bay.