Is cat dental disease a big deal?

By Ernest Ward, DVM

Are cat dental problems common?

• Cat dental problems are among the most common medical conditions seen by veterinarians.Over 68% of all cats over the age of 3 are estimated to have some form of dental disease.
• Signs of dental disease in cats include:
  • A decreased interest in food or approaching the food bowl and then showing a reluctance to eat
  • Chewing with obvious discomfort, dropping food from the mouth, or swallowing with difficulty
  • Excessive drooling, and the saliva may contain blood
  • Bad breath
  • Pawing at the mouth or shaking the head
  • Weight loss

How do cat dental problems start?

• It begins with plaque on the teeth, which leads to periodontal disease; a term used to describe inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the tooth.
• If you don’t brush your cat’s teeth, tartar and calculus accumulate on the teeth, causing gum recession around the base of the tooth.
• Infection soon follows and the gums recede further as gingivitis sets in, exposing sensitive unprotected tooth root surfaces and the bony tooth sockets
• Left untreated, the gingivitis spreads deep into the tooth socket, destroying the bone. Ultimately, the tooth loosens and falls out.

How does gingivitis develop form and why is it a problem for cats?

• The mouth is home to thousands of bacteria. As these bacteria multiply on the surfaces of the tooth, they form an invisible layer called plaque. Some of this plaque is removed naturally by the cat's tongue and chewing habits.
• If allowed to remain on the tooth surface, the plaque thickens and progresses as tartar, which accumulates above and below the gumline and presses on the gums, causing a gum inflammation called gingivitis.
• As the oral infection progresses, the bacteria can be absorbed into the blood stream and be carried to other organs. "Bad teeth" can cause infections in the heart valves, kidneys and/or liver.
• In addition, cervical neck lesions result from a progressive destruction of the tooth enamel resulting in slowly deepening "holes" (cavities or caries) in affected teeth.
• These “oral resorptive lesions” are intensely painful, and the only effective and humane treatment is to extract the tooth.
• Another serious dental problem in cats is stomatitis, which is a more generalized inflammation of the mucous membranes within the mouth, and may involve the gingivae, tongue, inner surfaces of the lips, and/or the floor and roof of the mouth.

What do I do if I see signs of a dental problem in my cat?

• Take it to your veterinarian immediately to schedule an examination. You vet will recommend the most appropriate course of treatment, which may involve having your cat's teeth examined and professionally cleaned under general anesthesia.
• In fact, to keep tartar from building and progressing to gingivitis, plan on a professional cleaning every 6 to 12 months.
• Never try to remove tartar from the teeth yourself using any form of metallic instrument. You’ll damage the tooth surface by creating microscopic scratches that provide areas for bacteria to cling.

What is a routine dental cleaning in cats?

• A routine dental cleaning includes a thorough dental examination plus a dental scaling and polishing to remove tartar and invisible plaque from all tooth surfaces. This is done while your pet’s under anesthesia so he or she won’t move.
• Prior to the procedure, your veterinarian performs pre-anesthetic blood tests to ensure that kidney and liver function are satisfactory for anesthesia. Sometimes your vet also starts antibiotic treatment before treatment.
• Once your cat is anesthetized, your vet examines the mouth, noting the teeth alignment the any tartar accumulation.
• If periodontal disease is severe, it may not be possible to save badly affected teeth. So those teeth may need to be extracted.
• Next, your vet performs tooth scaling to remove all traces of tartar.
• After scaling, teeth are polished to remove microscopic scratches in order to help prevent subsequent plaque build-up. Special applications such as fluoride, antibiotic preparations and cleaning compounds may be indicated to decrease tooth sensitivity, strengthen enamel, treat bacterial infection and reduce future plaque accumulation.
• Since it can be difficult to predict the extent of dental disease before the procedure, make sure your vet can reach you during the procedure to discuss any additional treatment that may be necessary.

Do I make an appointment with my vet for cat dental care?

Yes. Your veterinarian will perform pre-anesthetic blood tests, examine your pet for any other underlying disorders prior to the procedure, and determine if antibiotic treatment should be started in advance.

Can tartar be prevented in my cat?

Yes!

• Brush your cat’s teeth every day with toothpaste specifically designed for cats. Plus, consider a special dental diet, plus special cat dental treats and chew toys that help reduce or delay tartar build-up. See Teeth Cleaning for Dogs and Cats.
• Most importantly, have your veterinarian do a routine dental cleaning and exam once a year.

The great news is —with regular teeth cleaning by your vet and daily brushing at home, you can avoid cat dental problems.

Talk to your vet to get started on the right teeth cleaning routine.