Healthy teeth give the right conditions for a healthy and happy cat. A cat with good oral health can even live longer! In this article we go through what can be important to keep in mind, which dental diseases exist in cats, and how to take care of the cat's mouth in the best way!
Why is it important to take care of the cat's teeth?
Dental disease is a common problem in many cats. Studies show that around 50-90 % of all cats over four years of age are affected by some form of dental disease. Dental disease not only means pain and discomfort in the mouth, but can also affect the cat's general health. Poor oral hygiene means constant inflammation in the body, which over time can increase the risk of other illnesses. Taking care of the cat's dental health is therefore of the utmost importance for a healthy and happy cat.
Taking care of the teeth is not only important for long-term disease prevention, but dental disease also causes pain and discomfort. It is not uncommon for cats to walk around with toothache without showing any symptoms of pain. If the cat has inflammation in the gums or poor oral hygiene for a long time, it can lead to periodontitis, that is, the cat losing teeth. If you are unsure whether your cat's teeth and gums are healthy, you should always consult your veterinarian.
What can cause bad breath in cats?
Bad breath in cats can be linked to tartar and inflammation in the mouth. Plaque is a bacterial film that forms on the teeth, which when mixed with minerals in the cat's saliva builds up into tartar. This in turn leads to infection and inflammation in the gums. Infection in the teeth and gums can cause very bad breath in the cat. In other words, if your cat has bad breath you should book an appointment with your veterinarian to have the mouth checked. If tartar and inflammation in the gums are not addressed, it can over time lead to the cat losing its teeth, that is, developing periodontitis, which we tell you more about below.
Do you have to brush your cat's teeth?
Some of the most common dental diseases can be prevented by brushing the cat's teeth. Below we go through the cat's most common dental diseases, as well as tips on how to get started with brushing the cat's teeth.
Gingivitis and periodontitis
Gingivitis is a medical term that means inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis often arises as a result of plaque and tartar, which creates red and inflamed gums. If tartar and gingivitis continue for a long time, it in turn leads to the follow-on disease periodontitis. Periodontitis means tooth loss, that is, the tooth's attachment in the tooth bone begins to loosen, and the cat eventually loses the teeth if it is not treated. Gingivitis and periodontitis can be prevented with the help of tooth brushing, when you keep the teeth clean from the plaque and tartar that cause it.
Tooth resorption
Tooth resorption, also known as TR or FORL, is a very common dental disease in cats, which causes the enamel and roots of the teeth to break down. It is not known what causes tooth resorption, but a major factor appears to be genetic, since the disease is more often seen in pedigree cats such as Siamese and Persian cats. Since the cause is not fully established, it is currently unclear whether tooth brushing can prevent the disease, but it is seen that good oral hygiene gives better conditions for healthier gums, which means it is always recommended even in cats affected by TR.
Tooth brushing prevents disease
Starting to brush your cat's teeth can feel challenging and difficult. It is important to start gradually, and slowly get the cat used to having its mouth handled, before you start with a toothbrush. The links below give you some tips if you want to start training.
Informative video showing how to brush your cat's teeth
Schedule for how you can start training tooth brushing over four weeks
How do I keep my cat's teeth healthy?
Since tooth brushing can prevent both gingivitis, tooth loss and possibly also tooth resorption, it is recommended to keep your cat's mouth healthy. If it is difficult to brush the teeth, it can still be good to make it a routine to regularly look inside the cat's mouth. Then you quickly learn to recognise if something is off, such as the gums looking red or a tooth looking discoloured or damaged.
It is also good to visit your veterinarian regularly to have the mouth checked, and cleaning when needed. Many cats benefit from having their mouth cleaned by the veterinarian at regular intervals, just as we humans need to visit the dental hygienist. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations and you can feel confident that you are giving your cat the best conditions for healthy teeth and good health!
Good luck, and psst... We are working on developing an oral care product for cats in the future, so keep an eye out!