Dental problems in cats can take many forms such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. Most of these conditions are quite painful but your cat may not express this pain until it becomes very severe. To protect your cat from such discomfort, you must know how to detect dental problems and develop a regular dental care routine.
Detecting dental problems
The following are all signs of dental problems:
- Bad breath
- Visible tartar or tooth discoloration
- Exposed tooth roots
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Drooling that may contain blood
- Pawing the teeth or mouth
- Grooming less often
- Difficulty eating
- Weight loss
Preventing Dental Disease
The first aspect of prevention is to provide your cat with a well balanced diet that provides the nutrients needed to maintain healthy gums and teeth as well as a strong immune system to fight pathogens.
The second aspect is to visit the vet twice a year for dental checkups. A thorough check up will usually include blood tests and a physical examination to check for inflammation. Any problems that come up must be addressed immediately.
The third aspect of prevention is to develop a dental care routine at home. This is not a straightforward task, but we have broken it down into steps:
- You must first accustom your cat to being touched around the teeth and gums. Gently rub around the mouth to start and gradually, when your cat is comfortable with it, try slipping your finger in between it’s lips and massaging or at least touching their gums. Once your cat accepts touching their gums, you can try rubbing your finger over their teeth as well.
- The next step is to add the toothpaste. You need to use cat toothpaste. Normal human toothpaste is toxic for your cat. Put a little dab of the toothpaste on your finger and let your cat lick it.
- If the cat likes the toothpaste, it is time to introduce the toothbrush. Let your cat chew the bristles without adding any paste to it.
- If your cat is comfortable, you can now add the toothpaste and brush the outside of its teeth in small circular motions. Make sure to massage the gums with the toothpaste as well.