Keeping Your Cat's Mouth Healthy

You brush your cat's fur regularly, but when was the last time you brushed their teeth? Though you might not think about it much, cat oral care is important. Read on for tips on how to identify and maintain healthy cat teeth.

A Healthy Cat Mouth

Your dog will bark, lick your face, and open their mouth in a canine smile to show you their teeth, but healthy cat teeth are a little harder to see. When your cat yawns or lets you touch their face, look at their gums. Healthy gums are bright pink, according to Vetwest Animal Hospitals. If your cat's gums are white, bright red, or even tinged with yellow, they may have an infection or a serious condition such as liver disease. Keep an eye out for subtle changes in behavior and appearance, and take them to the veterinarian if something looks different.

Strong, sharp teeth are equally important for pet parents to maintain. Your cat has thirty adult teeth, and they should be white, without any signs of yellow or brown plaque or tartar (the hard, scaly, or sticky deposits that cause tooth decay and oral disease). A normal cat tongue should be pink. Cat Health writes that if your pet's tongue is pale white, they may be suffering from anemia, and you should take them to the vet immediately.

A cat with bad breath can also be a sign that your cat is dealing with some oral issues. While a fishy or meaty smell after they have eaten can be normal, constant and consistent bad breath is not normal. So, if your cat snuggling up against your face causes you to plug your nose, it is worth taking your cat in for a dental check-up at your vet to make sure there aren't any underlying issues.

Why You Should Brush Your Cat's Teeth

Regular brushing is the most effective at-home cat oral care treatment to keep your pet's mouth as healthy as can be. You may not be looking forward to chasing a sprinting furball around the house so you can stick your hand in their mouth, but with gradual training, even the wiliest cat can learn to have their teeth brushed.

Not sure how to get started? The American Veterinary Dental College advises pet parents new to cat oral care to start slowly. First, let your cat get used to having their mouth touched. Take a moment every day to gently rub their face, and lift up their lips to look in the mouth. Once they are comfortable with that, you can put a small amount of toothpaste on your finger and let themlick it off. Feline toothpaste comes in flavors like chicken and seafood, so they may even view it as a treat. Next, try gently rubbing your finger over their teeth. Once they get used to the feeling, try an actual feline toothbrush. Don't forget: You should never brush your cat's teeth with a human toothbrush or human toothpaste, which contains ingredients that can irritate their stomach and make them very sick.

The earlier you can introduce your kitten to the concept of brushing their teeth, the better, so start as soon as possible. It can be more difficult to get older kitty companions to embrace oral care. Some cats also just aren't up for regular brushing. If that's the case with your pet, you can try an oral rinse, drinking water additives, dental chews, or specially formulated products like Hill's Science Diet Oral Care cat foods, which will freshen your cat's breath and help to reduce plaque and tartar.

Professional Cleaning

Just like you go to the dentist for oral care you can't get at home, your cat should go to the vet for a comprehensive cleaning. Usually performed under anesthesia, a professional cleaning will remove plaque and tartar in areas that you can't reach with a toothbrush, such as under the gum line. Most vets suggest scheduling comprehensive dental exams every one to two years, especially as your pet gets older. Depending on the dental issues your cat is facing, they may require more frequent cleanings. 

Broken teeth are a common problem for cats, so your vet may also take dental X-rays to identify any issues beneath the gum line. Other common problems that could be identified through X-rays are periodontal disease, abscesses or infections. Although it may be worrying to place your pet under anesthesia for this procedure, it is necessary for the vet to properly check her teeth and assess her overall oral health.

Signs of Dental Problems in Your Cat

It's worth noting that many common dental issues cause intense pain. But, as Vetwest Animal Hospitals points out, cats' wild ancestors who show signs of being sick are vulnerable to predators — meaning to this day, your pet may try to hide it if she has a toothache or other ailment.

According to Harmony Animal Hospital, bad breath — also known as halitosis — is the most common clue that your kitty may be in need of some oral care. Other signs include:

• Eating difficulties
• Problem gums
• Stained teeth
• Loose and broken teeth
• Tumors on gums
• Pawing and drooling

You know your cat best and will be the first one to spot any of these unusual signs. Contact your vet if your pet's eating habits change or they seem to be in pain.

Cat Oral Health Problems

Cats are prone to a variety of dental and oral issues, especially as they age. Here are some common conditions to watch out for:

• Broken teeth: Cats of all ages can break a tooth for a variety of environmental and health reasons. Your vet will decide whether to remove a fractured tooth based on where in the mouth the tooth is located. Broken teeth will be addressed in radiographs as part of their anesthetized dental visit to make sure the root of the tooth isn't affected or that there isn't a larger oral disease lurking below the gumline.
• Gingivitis: This inflammation of the gums is caused by the accumulation of plaque. Untreated gingivitis can develop into periodontal disease, which attacks the gums and the bone holding your pet's teeth in place.
• Tooth resorption: The cause of tooth resorption is a mystery, despite the fact that it affects close to three quarters of all cats who are five and older, according to the Cornell Feline Health Center. In this condition, the tooth's inner material called dentin erodes and causes broken teeth and painful chewing.
• Periodontitis: In this gum disease that affects senior cats, the ligaments and tissue surrounding teeth recedes and exposes the root. Affected teeth often need to be extracted.
• Stomatitis: Similar to the inflammation of gingivitis, bacteria can spread throughout the mouth and infect the tissues in your pet's cheeks and throat. Veterinary Practice News warns that this condition can be quite painful for your feline companion. Stomatitis is often more common in cats that have FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), but you should contact your vet immediately if you see that your cat's mouth is red and swollen or they whimper when trying to eat.

If you notice any of these issues or suspect your cat has a dental problem, bring them in for a checkup as soon as possible. Dental health issues are painful and serious for your cat—just as they are for you. By cleaning their teeth at home and taking them in for regular cat oral care vet visits, you can help them have a healthy mouth for the rest of their life.