Dental issues in cats are common & can lead to discomfort, pain & other health problems if left untreated. Regular vet visits are important & never delay a dental scaling or extraction if your cat requires one.
According to Cornell University's Feline Health Center, only 10 percent of cats make it through life without experiencing some sort of dental problem.
Cats, like humans, can suffer from various dental problems. It's important for cat owners to be aware of these issues & take the appropriate steps to maintain their cat's dental health.
What are the signs of dental problems in cats?
Bad Breath
Drooling
Pawing at the mouth
Traces of blood in Saliva
Difficulty eating or chewing
Gagging while chewing
Reluctance to eat hard food
Bleeding or inflamed gums
Swelling around the mouth or face
Burst abscess (creating a sore / hole in the face)
Behavioral changes (irritability or depression)
What are some common dental problems in cats?
1. Tartar and Plaque Buildup:
Just like in humans, food & bacteria accumulates on their teeth, forming plaque. If not removed, plaque can harden into tartar, which can lead to gum inflammation & gingivitis.
2. Gingivitis:
Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums & is often caused by tartar buildup. Signs of gingivitis in cats include red or swollen gums, bad breath & difficulties or reduce in appetite due to pain.
3. Periodontal Disease:
Periodontal disease is the inflammation of the bone & connective tissues that underly the gums. This results from the progression of untreated plaque, tartar & gingivitis. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis cannot be reversed once it progresses. This can result in loss of tooth mobility & the tooth itself.
4. Tooth Resorption:
Unlike humans, cats do not develop cavities but they develop resorptive lesions - a painful condition in which a cat's body begins to reabsorb the tooth structure. Often the crown of the tooth may be lost, and the tooth root might be covered by the gums. It can lead to fractures, infection, and discomfort. There is no known reason for this, it is suspected to be genetics. Between 30% – 70% of cats suffer from signs of this dental problem. You can read more here.
5. Feline Stomatitis:
This is a severe and painful inflammation of the mouth and gums. It can lead to severe discomfort & difficulty eating and in some cases, even a FME (Full Mouth Extraction) still cannot solve this issue. I will discuss this in detail in an upcoming post.
How can I help my cat?
Regular brushing of teeth with size appropriate tooth brushes
Dental solutions in water (e.g. Tropiclean)
Dental treats (e.g. Greenie's Dental Treats)
Dental wipes (e.g. Vet's Best)
Regular vet visits (click for recommended vets)
Recovery after dental surgery / extractions?
Your cat may be given antibiotics & pain relief for a couple of days, depending on the extent of the extractions. Soft, wet food is recommended for the next few days as his mouth will still be inflamed & in pain. He may take 1-3 days to completely get over the sedation. If in doubt, bring him back to the vet.
Why is it important to do dental x-rays BEFORE any dental cleaning?
Dental X-rays in cats are similar to those taken in humans. Cats cannot tell you what pain they feel, & most cats never show that they are in pain even though they are. In many cases, X-rays are the only way for your vet to know that your cat has a dental problem.
A routine dental cleaning (without x-ray) is done without being able to see any underlying issue. However, the roots of the teeth could be rotten, but without an x-ray, the vet cannot tell from visually looking at the tooth & the cat may still be facing underlying dental issues & pain even after a dental cleaning (without x-ray). Think, going in blind.
Only an x-ray will be able to tell if the tooth has bone loss & infection, which may have gone undetected. Below is an actual dental X-ray that was taken for Kiki. She had 2 extractions for a resorptive tooth.
Your cat will be under GA (sedated) & it is recommended to do blood work prior to any anesthesia to ensure that the animal is in good health to be sedated.
Vet consult ->Blood work -> Xray -> Dental
You can find a downloadable Infographic below or on our Instagram page.
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