By J. E. Davidson
Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions in cats, but is also one of the most easily prevented. Training your cat to accept tooth brushing from an early age can prevent gum disease, tooth loss and pain.
Bacteria normally found in the mouth will mix with starches and proteins in the saliva to create plaque. Plaque sticks to the teeth and is hard to see, and will turn into brown tartar if it is not removed. A buildup of tartar causes gingivitis (red, swollen gums) which may eventually lead to periodontal disease. The gum tissue becomes infected and pulls away from the roots of the teeth, allowing the roots to become infected and loosen. Periodontitis can lead to infections in the jawbone, sinus and throat, eventually spreading bacteria into the bloodstream and throughout the cat�s body, leading to heart and kidney infections.
Plaque turns into tartar in about 36 hours and cannot be removed with a toothbrush, so it is important to brush your cat�s teeth daily. Training your cat from kittenhood to accept tooth brushing is not difficult, and even older cats may allow you to brush their teeth as part of their daily grooming.
An older cat should have a dental checkup and professional cleaning to ensure that she has a clean, healthy mouth before you begin brushing her teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and veterinary toothpaste. Human toothpaste and baking soda can be toxic to cats, and veterinary toothpaste will come in meat flavors that cats will like.
The first few days just let the cat taste the toothpaste, and then rub it gently on the gums with your finger to get her used to having her mouth handled. Begin brushing the upper, back teeth first where periodontal disease is most likely to begin. Angle the brush slightly to get under the gum line. If she will only let you brush her back teeth, you are taking a step in the right direction to reduce or prevent future dental problems. In time she may let you brush all her teeth. Even with daily tooth brushing your cat may still benefit from an occasional professional cleaning.
Your cat�s diet as well as her individual body chemistry can contribute to the formation of plaque and tartar. Cats who are fed moist or canned food will develop dental disease more readily than cats who are fed dry, crunchy food. Dry food will help keep the crowns of the teeth clean but will not prevent the buildup of tartar around the gum line.
It is a cat�s nature to hide illness and if you have not been brushing her teeth regularly she may already be developing dental problems. If your cat begins refusing to eat hard food, has red, swollen, or bleeding gums, begins drooling, or has any swelling around the face, take her to the vet for a dental exam. Mild cases of dental disease can be reversed with prompt treatment and continued dental care, but more severe cases can only be arrested and may require that teeth be removed. Follow-up exams should be scheduled at intervals recommended by your veterinarian.