Unhealthy cat teeth are typically yellow to gray in appearance and covered partly or fully by thick tartar. Unhealthy gums are bright red and appear inflamed. They may bleed frequently as well. Cats with unhealthy teeth typically have bad breath.
Given that gingivitis leads to periodontitis, most cats with periodontitis will show signs of gingivitis (redness, swelling, bleeding along the gingiva at the base of the teeth), and may also be reluctant or unwilling to eat, drool, turn their heads to the side when chewing, and develop halitosis.
In cats, healthy teeth are generally white. Any variation in color indicates issues in oral health or tooth damage. Severe dental diseases can also change the color of a cat's teeth. A very large percent of cats suffer from a degree of dental issues or disease from a young age.
Wear and gum disease are more common when your dog or cat is between the ages of five and 10. Elderly pets may eventually lose teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease, and their teeth may show considerable wear.
It's ideal to begin home care when your pet is young however, it is never too late to start. There are many different methods to prevent dental disease and to assist with dental hygiene at home, some of which include: Regular brushing. Treats and chews.
Persistent bad breath can indicate severe periodontal disease that will require treatment. It is also important to be alert to any other signs that could indicate dental disease, such as drooling, difficulty swallowing, pawing at the face, or changes to your cat's eating patterns or weight.
Cats can have malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth) much like people. Cats, like people, develop teeth after birth and misalignment may begin as the teeth come in or it may occur later in life, due to injury.
It is much easier for pet parents to spot signs of unhealthy teeth if they are aware of what healthy cat teeth should look like. Healthy teeth are white and free of plaque and tartar. Healthy gums are light pink with no signs of inflammation. Breath should be free of odor.
If you notice your cat avoiding their dry cat food, chewing on only one side of their mouth, dropping food from their mouth while eating (also called quidding), or vomiting unchewed food, you might be seeing signs of a cat in pain.
Topical gels and oral rinses are viable options for reducing oral malodor and provide antiseptic action in the oral cavity and are typically used daily. Clenz-a-dent and Maxi/Guard are commonly recommended brands. A topical gel, such as HealthyMouth gel can also be used as a dentifrice in place of toothpaste.
Generally tartar in cats is easily noticeable with yellow-brown deposits on the teeth and usually doesn't need immediate veterinary treatment. However, if the deposits occur more frequently and lead to inflammation, it is very much recommended to see a vet.
With proper care and follow up preventative procedures, cats with tooth decay will lead long, normal lives.
“If at your cat's annual visit, the vet notices red gums or heavy tartar accumulation or bad breath, that indicates it's time for teeth cleaning,” says Dr. Lisa Fink, a board-certified veterinarian with a specialty in dentistry and oral surgery at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in Stamford, Connecticut.
Based on your pet's health, your vet may recommend cat or dog teeth cleanings anywhere from every six months to every two years.
Trimming needs to be done on at least a monthly basis to keep up with the incisor growth. Hauling the animal back and forth to the veterinarian's for monthly trims can become pretty costly and stressful for both owner and pet. A more definitive approach to incisor malocclusion is to surgically extract the incisors.
Persians, Maine and Burmese cats are likely to suffer from dental disease. The cat's diet is a factor in dental disease. Baby tooth retention. It can cause food and bacteria to form.
Stage 1 – This early stage is characterized by gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums in response to the presence of tartar and bacteria. You may observe some swelling of the gums. A thin red line on the gums next to the teeth may also be visible during this stage.
Most likely these dark spots are either 1) crown fracture or wear with pulp exposure or near pulp exposure, 2) chip fracture or wear with tertiary dentin, or 3) discoloration.
Cats are predators, so part of their natural diet consists of hard bones. Chewing bones knocks off tartar and helps keep their teeth and gums healthy. Since domesticated cats aren't eating mice and other animals for their daily meals, some veterinarians recommend giving them hard toys to chew on.
If not removed through regular brushing, plaque thickens and mineralizes resulting in tartar. Left untreated, gingivitis may progress to destructive periodontal disease which may be painful and ultimately lead to tooth loss. See the handout “Dental Disease in Cats” for more information on periodontal disease.
While brushing is very beneficial for your cat's dental health, it is not worth battling your cat to get it done. You and your cat should have a good relationship; we don't want them to run and hide whenever they see you coming with the brushing supplies.
Most (73%) cat owners say they never brush their cat's teeth, while few say they do so more than once a day (1%), once a day (3%) or a few times a week (3%). Others brush their cat's teeth on a weekly basis (4%), monthly (2%) or rarely (14%).
Dental cleanings are very important for kitty's health and comfort, and may be needed on a regular basis for cats who don't tolerate brushings at home. If you choose to begin brushing your cat's teeth, please note that cats require special toothpaste, as fluoride is toxic to dogs and cats.