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Cat Teeth Cleaning:These days, pets are living longer because of awareness of health issues, knowledge about taking care of animals, and advancement in science.
There are a plethora of preventive medicines to screen and treat several diseases. Because of all these reasons, cats are living longer. However, several pet cats suffer from dental problems. It is important to clean cat’s teeth to prevent oral problems.
You can provide good dental care at home and also take the cat to the vet for professional care and cleaning cat’s teeth.
Dental Diseases in cats:- Plaque: While cavities are not common in cats, they can develop tartar in their teeth and are susceptible to gum disease. Plaque is formed because of accumulation of bacteria and food particles. You can remove this plaque even at home.
- Tartar: The minerals in the saliva mix with the plaque and turn into tartar that sticks to the teeth.
This process can happen a few days after the formation of plaque. The tartar irritates the gums and leads to inflammation, which is known as gingivitis. When this happens, the vet will take the tartar out with special instruments and polish the teeth. - Periodontal Disease: If tartar is not taken out, it accumulates below the gums, separating the teeth and the gums to form pockets. This increases the bacterial growth. This phase is known as periodontal disease. This is painful and can cause infection, abscesses, and loose teeth. The bacteria may get into the bloodstream and can cause infection of the kidneys, liver and heart valves. Thus, the condition needs to be treated by a vet.
- Good dental care program: It is advisable to take your cat to the vet for regular oral examinations. The vet will also clean the teeth in a professional manner and this is important even if you clean your cat’s teeth at home. Of course, you must clean the cat’s teeth at home on a regular basis too.
- Dental cleaning by the vet: You might be cleaning your cat’s teeth, but if there is tartar, then a vet will be able to remove it. Known as prophylaxis or ‘prophy,’ this is professional veterinary dental cleaning. This process involves a lot of steps and we suggest that you speak with a vet to understand the process.
- Regular home care: You need to examine the cat’s mouth regularly at home to look for signs of tooth decay or gum disease. Look out for missing, fractured or discolored teeth. You also need to brush the cat’s teeth. The vet might recommend certain foods to prevent the formation of plaque.
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