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Feline Teeth Care for Better Dental Health

Tess Thompson

Feline dental problems, much like humans, start with the accumulation of plaque. Plaque is a mixture of salivary minerals, bacteria, and food particles, and sticks as a thin film on teeth and gums. If plaque is not removed within three to five days of formation, it combines with minerals from the saliva and forms tartar, a hard incrustation that binds strongly to the teeth. Tartar irritates gums and causes gingivitis or inflammation of the gums that can be seen as reddened gums, and leads to exposure of the roots of teeth. Gingivitis is one of the major causes behind feline bad breath.

You need to tend to your cat’s teeth just as you would your own. It depends upon you whether you want to do it yourself at home or take your pet to the veterinarian every time you notice signs like cat bad breath, drooling or refusal to eat.

At home, you need to clean your cat’s teeth on a regular basis. Once you know the basics, it is not too difficult. You have an option to choose flavored toothpastes meant specifically for cats, or make due with some home remedies that are equally effective. Remember that you must never use human toothpaste for your cat.

While you are cleaning your cat’s teeth, you should also look for some food particles that may have become lodged between the teeth or gums and remove them. If you feel that removing the particles is getting tough, you must take your cat to the veterinarian for removal.

Diet also plays an important role in the dental health of pets. As much as possible, feed your cat with hard foods, raw home-prepared foods, and foods that leave little or no residue in the mouth. Your veterinarian may also suggest a tartar control diet that contains enzymes which can dissolve tartar.

While bad cat breath often depends on how you care for the teeth, is not the only consequence of improper dental care. Mouth and dental infections can progress to serious conditions like periodontitis, and also enter the blood stream to infect other organs.

The mouth chemistry of cats is also dependent on the breed, overall health, and the type of food that you feed your cat. Since dry food can not remove tartar on its own, it is necessary to get the tartar removed by a professional once tartar has formed. Despite home care, a regular complete dental checkup is necessary for maintaining dental health.

Sources
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/dental2.html