Here at Cherrydown Vets, we understand that your cat’s dental hygiene is just as important as any other routine and preventative treatment. This is why we recommend preventative dental care.
Like humans, cats can develop a build-up of tartar, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing your cat’s teeth once or twice a day is the best option for good oral hygiene. Here at Cherrydown Vets, our team would be happy to assist you with answering any questions you may have, as well as advising you on the recommended products or dental diets for your cat.
Cherrydown Vets Pet Health For Life members can enjoy 10% discount on dental procedures. Join online today or contact us for more information.
Symptoms of dental disease in cats
Cats can be very good at hiding signs of pain and often, owners aren’t aware that their cat has dental disease; this is why our vets and nurses perform a dental check at each general consultation.
Some cats with severe dental disease, root exposure, severe gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), or tooth root infections will continue to eat, showing only subtle signs that there is a problem. Catching dental disease early can reduce the number of extractions required from not noticing earlier signs of dental disease.
Plaque can be removed by tooth brushing; however, tarter will not be removed by brushing alone; if this is already present, the best action for this is a scale and polish to remove this, followed by tooth brushing to prevent the buildup from occurring again.
A general anaesthesia is required for all dental procedures; however, a scale and polish procedure is much shorter with a faster recovery compared to your cat having multiple extractions.
What are the signs of dental disease in cats?
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Visible tartar buildup on teeth
- Red or inflamed gums (gingivitis)
- Discoloured teeth
- Drooling
- Loose teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Slowness or reluctance to eat
- Chewing on one side of the mouth
- Dropping food from the mouth when eating
- Swelling around the mouth (from potential tooth root abscesses)
If you detect any of the above signs, please call Cherrydown Vets in Basildon on 01268 533636, Cherrydown Vets in Stanford-Le-Hope on 01268 533636 or Cherrydown Vets in Wickford on 01268 533636 to book an appointment for a vet to examine your cat as soon as possible.
How can dental disease in cats be prevented?
The best way to maintain healthy teeth is to brush your cat’s teeth daily. The Cherrydown Vets team would be happy to help with advice on introducing this to your cat.
It can also be beneficial to have a scale and polish performed regularly to clean the teeth thoroughly. This is similar to the treatment we would receive from a dental hygienist. These are done under a short general anaesthetic as cats won’t sit in one position for a prolonged period and we must ensure their safety and the team’s safety when in the vicinity of sharp teeth!
Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs)
Cats also get another form of dental disease known as feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs). It has an unknown cause, but 75% of cats are thought to be affected. It is particularly common in cats over five years but can occur at any age.
In these lesions, part of the tooth is eaten away by the tooth itself, forming a small hole in the enamel close to the gum line. These lesions are very painful for cats and can lead to tooth fractures as they weaken the teeth. They require extraction to resolve.
