What is involved in cat dental care?
Cat dental care starts at home with the owner. They can brush the teeth. There are also supplements that you can give them to help with their oral health, but then also here at the clinic, when they come in for their annuals, we do check their teeth. Sometimes we do recommend dental cleanings, which are common throughout their life.
How does dental health impact the overall health and well-being of my cat?
Oral health can affect mostly their comfort with eating and drinking and things like that, but also their systemic health. Advanced periodontal disease can lead to cardiac conditions and systemic infections.
What types of dental care should I be giving my cat at home?
A couple of different things. You could try brushing your cat's teeth. That would be the best thing to do. There are some enzymatic toothpastes for cats. There are also dental treats like chews, like Greenies and whatnot. Then as far as supplements, we do sometimes recommend that they have a supplement for oral health as well.
What are some signs and symptoms of issues with oral health in my cat?
The first thing you might notice is bad breath or halitosis. That would be one thing. You could actually see that there might be some gingivitis, which is redness of the gums. Advanced periodontal disease can lead to pain. We do see some cats have difficulty chewing or eating. They might pick up their food and drop it, not chew as well. In some worse cases, they might even drool or have really bad breath.
How do veterinarians diagnose dental problems in cats?
Firstly, we do an exam. We actually try to lift the lip and look at the teeth. We're looking at the health of the gums to see if they're red and inflamed, if they're receding, if there's any swelling, things like that. Primarily, it's just through the exam. After that, if we do recommend a dental cleaning, we actually take x-rays and we can look below the gum line.
What are some possible conditions caused by poor cat dental care, and what are the treatments?
Gingivitis and periodontal disease, which just mean infection of the gums and the underlying tissues like the tooth root, can actually lead to tooth loss and things like that. It can be painful, but we also see oral masses and tumors in the mouth. As far as the treatment, generally we recommend a fully anesthetic dental cleaning to do treatments and further diagnose.
What is the vet looking for during my cat's dental exam?
Primarily, we're looking to see if your cat has gingivitis or signs of periodontal disease, maybe even some lesions on their teeth that can be painful.
What kind of dental and oral problems can cats have?
They can have something as simple as gingivitis, which is the first stage of periodontal disease, or they can have advanced periodontal disease, which means that infection has set in and has tried to compromise the integrity of the teeth. They can also have some really painful lesions called feline oral resorptive lesions. They can also have masses or tumors.
Why does my cat need x-rays?
We do dental x-rays to look below the gum line. It's important to look below the gum line because that's where periodontal disease impacts the teeth the most, and infections can hide there. We need to know if the tooth is compromised and needs to be extracted because of an infection.
Why would my cat need extractions?
Basically, because of periodontal disease. Advanced periodontal disease causes infection below the gum line, which can get into the tooth root and be very painful. Another reason would be if they have what's called resorptive lesions. Resorptive lesions are a feline-only kind of oral disease that we know will eventually result in tooth loss, and that process is very painful, so we extract the tooth to prevent that.
Are issues addressed during my cat's initial oral exam or do I need to schedule a follow-up appointment?
Sometimes, it can be addressed during the initial oral exam, depending on the severity of the disease. Sometimes medications such as pain medications or antibiotics are warranted, but in a lot of cases, we do recommend the next step being a fully sedated or anesthetized dental cleaning, with the x-rays and the oral assessment done then, and the treatments that are necessary would be taken care of at that time.
How often should I brush my cat's teeth?
Technically, we should brush our cat's teeth every day, but I usually tell people to set a realistic expectation or goal in their household and maybe aim for three to four times a week.
Are there any tips for making brushing my cat's teeth easier?
Basically, you're just trying to make it a positive experience for them. You do want to find something that they are willing to participate with, such as flavored toothpastes and things like that that are made for cats.
What products should I use to brush my cat's teeth?
There are specific cat- and dog-only toothpastes that are flavored. There's CET brand, there are these enzymatic toothpastes. Basically, you can purchase them either here at the vet clinic or at pet stores.
Can I use human toothpaste on my cat?
Definitely don't recommend human toothpaste. I don't think many cats would actually tolerate the taste of it, and we also don't want them swallowing it.
Do I still need to brush my cat's teeth even if I give them Greenies?
Yes, brushing is recommended over chewing, but in lieu of brushing, we do recommend chewing as the next best thing. The Greenies are a really good idea.
Can cats get cavities?
They can. It's not as common as in humans. We don't diagnose cavitary lesions in cats as often, but they do get them, and it is caused by a lack of oral care at home and whatnot.
Are there chew toys that can work to also brush my cat's teeth?
They do make toys for cats that are chewable. I don't know if many cats like them, but it depends on your cat. There are some available. It just kind of depends on the temperament of your cat and if they like it or not.
Cat Dental Care at Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
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