Dental disease affects a large percentage of cats at some point in their lives. It is reported that 50-90% of cats over the age of 4 years have dental problems and unhealthy feline teeth.
Poor dental health can negatively impact your cat’s overall well-being and put them at risk for other health issues. Luckily, routine veterinary care and vigilance on the part of pet owners can help reduce the risk of unhealthy feline teeth and keep our furry cats’ mouths clean and pain-free.
What Do Unhealthy Cat Teeth Look Like?
It is much easier for pet owners to spot the signs of unhealthy teeth when they know what a cat’s healthy teeth should look like. Healthy teeth are white and free of plaque and tartar. Healthy gums are light pink with no signs of inflammation. The breath should be odorless. In cats with dental disease, the mouths are completely opposite. Unhealthy cat teeth are usually yellow or gray and are partially or completely covered with thick tartar. Unhealthy gums are bright red and look inflamed. You may also bleed frequently. Cats with bad teeth usually have bad breath.
Signs of Unhealthy Cat Teeth
There are many signs pet owners should look out for that could indicate underlying dental disease in their cat. These symptoms include bad breath. Because dental disease involves active inflammation and bacteria, cats with unhealthy teeth often have very bad breath. Food falls out of the mouth while eating. Cats with unhealthy teeth often experience pain when trying to eat. They may not be able to chew hard pieces of food or avoid closing the affected part of their mouth completely to avoid discomfort. This leads to food loss from the affected side of the tooth. Not eating because of pain. Cats can skip a meal because their mouth is sore. They may skip meals, eat only a small portion of a meal, or begin to prefer only soft or wet cat food. It can also lead to significant weight loss. Picking at the mouth or rubbing of lips. Cats with oral discomfort will often stroke their face or rub the affected side against the floor or other objects to try to relieve the pain. Excessive Burr. Cats with unhealthy teeth often drool excessively. Saliva may collect in and around the mouth and puddles of water may be visible on the floor where the cat is resting. Saliva can also be stained with blood. Loose or missing teeth. Cats with periodontal disease often have loose or missing teeth. Sometimes pet owners find a missing tooth in the house, which could indicate a dental problem. Sometimes it is not obvious to pet owners that there are problems in their cat’s mouths. When this happens, routine veterinary care is helpful in identifying these health issues early.
What Causes Unhealthy Cat Teeth?
There are many reasons why cats can develop unhealthy teeth and gums. A lack of routine veterinary care can predispose cats to develop dental disease and progress quickly without proper intervention. Some cats are simply genetic. Certain diseases can contribute to the formation of plaque on the teeth and subsequent gingivitis. Viruses such as feline leukemia virus, calicivirus, and feline immunodeficiency virus can play an important role in the development of dental problems in cats. Kidney disease and diabetes can also contribute. Age can contribute to tooth decay. In fact, dental cleaning and home care are not performed regularly.
The Dangers of Unhealthy Cat Teeth
Bad teeth can cause a variety of problems for your cat. Dental problems can contribute to poor quality of life for cats, as problem teeth are extremely painful. Cats can lose weight because it is too uncomfortable to eat when their mouth is so sore. It is important to remove decayed cat teeth to prevent this pain and suffering in cats. As previously mentioned, unhealthy teeth can lead to gingivitis due to the high levels of bacteria that build up in the mouth. These bacteria can spread through the bloodstream from the mouth to the heart valves, which can lead to heart disease. The liver and kidneys can also be negatively affected by poor oral health.
What to Do If Your Cat Has Unhealthy Teeth
If you believe you studied your cat has a bad tooth, convey him to the veterinarian as quickly as you can. Your veterinarian will carry out a radical examination to locate any difficult regions in your cat`s mouth. If there are any regarding regions, an expert dental cleansing and dental X-rays can be encouraged so as to higher investigate the volume of disease. If necessary, a few teeth can be extracted throughout the dental cleansing. This process is performed below preferred anesthesia, and it includes the use of unique contraptions to cast off calculus from the tooth which can be healthful and sufficient to live, and eliminating the crown and root of the tooth which can be too diseased to keep. Appropriate medicinal drugs to lessen contamination and irritation can be prescribed following the process. Cats who’ve had a huge quantity of teeth extracted can be not able to chunk a dry food regimen and might want to interchange to moist food.
How to Prevent Tooth Decay in Cats
Pet dads and moms can brush their cats` teeth every day and offer dental treats to save you as a good deal plaque buildup as possible. Tooth brushing ought to best be executed with a cat-particular toothbrush and toothpaste. If your cat is presently ingesting moist meals best, switching to a dry weight loss program can assist scrape the tooth smooth whilst he eats. There are diets in particular formulated for dental fitness that your veterinarian can advise or prescribe as well. If teeth problems are springing up from underlying fitness situations, which include FeLV or FIV, it’s miles essential to manipulate the one’s illnesses first. Your veterinarian can offer a quality remedy plan to cope with any underlying situations in addition to any issues surrounding oral fitness. Annual to semi-annual veterinary take a look at ups can assist pick out any teeth problems early and save you from the development of superior periodontal disease. Yearly expert dental cleanings are the quality manner to save you dental disease. Regular veterinary care coupled with diligent domestic care is important in retaining a cat`s tooth as wholesome as they are able to be.
Related Post: Eye Infections In Cats