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Feline Dental Care Recommendations

Tess Thompson

Your cat’s teeth must be cleaned regularly to avoid dental diseases, since the consequences can prove to be more serious as time progresses. If plaque is not removed on a regular basis, it mineralizes and forms tartar, which can irritate gums and lead to gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis can further lead to a more serious condition called periodontitis, which affects gums and bones around the teeth. The matter does not stop at offensive cat breath that mouth infections are liable to cause. Dental diseases often lead to tooth extraction, and diseases can potentially spread further and affect vital organs like the kidneys, the liver and even the heart.

Any dental program for your cat must first consider the present condition of cat teeth. If tartar has already built up, it is necessary to first get it removed by a veterinarian before starting regular dental care. The veterinarian will manually clean your cat’s teeth and polish them. Severe tartar build up may require removal with the aid of an ultrasonic machine, which may require anesthetizing. Once the teeth have been cleaned, you should take up a regular dental program that should include some basic elements.

Whenever you take your cat for a general checkup, make sure that the veterinarian performs a dental checkup, also. He will check the face and head for symmetry, and examine the oral cavity, oral mucosa, swellings, discharges, teeth and gums. Saliva is a great natural antiseptic, and the salivary glands and lymph nodes in the neck will also be checked to see if they are in proper shape and condition.

Besides periodic professional assessment, daily oral home care is also necessary to prevent tartar formation. Remember that brushing your cat’s teeth removes only plaque, and is ineffective against tartar. Although you may safely brush your pet’s teeth after a gap of three days, it is advisable to do it daily to eliminate chances of the early formation of tartar. Flavored toothpaste that is meant specifically for cats is available and will be easily accepted by the cat. You should also use toothbrushes that have been specially designed for pets to ensure that all parts of the teeth are cleaned.

During home care, look for preliminary signs of gum disease. In cats, while one indicator is bad breath, gum disease is also indicated by a yellowish-brown incrustation where the teeth meet the gums, as well as swollen, bleeding, or reddened gums and pain when you touch them.

Daily oral care is not only an insurance against feline bad breath, but is also helpful in early detection of other oral diseases. If you see any lump in the mouth, report it to the veterinarian immediately. This may be early sign of squamous cell carcinoma, the most common oral cancer in cats.

Sources
http://www.placervillevet.com/feline%20dental%20care.htm
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1390&articleid=516