30/03/2021
⭐Why Dental Care Is Important For Your Cat
and How to keep your cat's teeth clean⭐
Dental disease such as gingivitis (gum inflammation) is very common in cats but if left untreated can give rise to periodontitis (loss of the supporting structures around the tooth) with subsequent tooth loss and a range of health problems due to chronic inflammation and the immense amount of bacteria present on unhealthy teeth.
Brushing your cat’s teeth is important and a great way to avoid dental disease. Ideally, you should introduce dental care at a young age. Although kitten’s teeth don’t need to be brushed, you’ll need to get them used to having their teeth touched to prepare them.
How many teeth does kitten have?
When your cat is a kitten, they have 26 baby teeth, which are replaced by 30 (surprisingly sharp) adult teeth by the age of six months.
When a kitten’s adult teeth emerge, it is common for them to have mild inflammation of the gum and bad breath. This doesn’t usually affect their appetite and should resolve itself quickly. There can be issues if your kitten’s baby teeth do not fall out properly. In this case, they may need to be extracted.
Cats can also have issues when their teeth grow too closely together, or if they develop too many teeth. These problems may be inherited and can lead to the development of periodontal disease.
If you’re concerned about any of these issues in your cat, speak to your vet.⭐
Visiting the vet for check-ups ✅
Your vet will examine your cat’s mouth at their annual check-up, so it is important to keep this appointment. While you may not notice they are suffering from dental issues, a check-up with the vet may reveal something surprising. Owners are often shocked by the severity of the teeth problems their cat is hiding.
Obvious symptoms of cat teeth problems and dental disease include:⤵️
°Reduced grooming activity, leading to poor condition of your cat’s coat.
°Bad breath.
°Drooling
°Discomfort when eating
°Pawing at the mouth
°Bleeding and swollen gums
°Reduced appetite or weight loss
If your cat begins to display any of these symptoms, book a visit to the vet.✅🙏
What is gingivitis? 🤷♂️
Gingivitis is an inflammation of a cat’s gums. If allowed to progress, it can lead to receding gums and even loss of teeth.
Mild gingivitis is common, particularly in kittens as their adult teeth come through.
Dependent on the extent of the condition mild to severe , treatment can include the use of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medicine, dental treatment under general anaesthetic or home care management.
What is peridontal disease? 🤷♂️
Peridontal disease is the inflammation and weakening of the tissues that surrounds your cat’s teeth. It causes the development of pockets around the tooth and can eventually lead to tooth loss. This is usually caused by bacteria and plaque in the mouth.
If your cat has periodontal disease and the problem isn’t too severe, your vet will be able to clean the teeth above and below the gum line while your cat is under a general anaesthetic. Combined with dental home care and regular check-ups, this can be an effective treatment.
If your cat’s periodontal disease is advanced, it may require tooth extraction.
✅It takes about a minute each day to brush your cat's teeth once your cat get used to it—although some cats may never allow it. So grab a flashlight to take a closer look at her mouth. Wait until your kitty is mellow, and with reassuring strokes and soft praise, gently use your thumb and forefinger to lift the sides and front of her lip. Check her teeth and gums for signs of dental or other diseases
How to keep your cat's teeth clean ? ✅✅✅
Brushing your cat’s teeth is a great way to avoid dental disease. Ideally, you should introduce dental care at a young age. Although kitten’s teeth don’t need to be brushed, you’ll need to get them used to having their teeth touched to prepare them.
✅Ask your vet to show you how to brush your cat’s teeth correctly.
✅Buy specialised toothpaste for your cat. Cats should never use human toothpaste.
✅Begin by putting your cat’s toothpaste on your finger and offering it to them to lick. You can even buy toothpaste flavoured with poultry.
✅You will need a toothbrush that is designed for cats too. Have a look in your local pet shop for something suitable
✅Choose a time of day that you can stick to or you can do it during grooming or bonding time , in order to make teeth brushing part of your pet’s normal routine and ensure you are calm and comfortable.
Slowly and gently pull back your cat’s lips and touch their teeth with the toothbrush initially, before soothing your cat.
✅Repeat this daily for several days and only when they’re really comfortable, gently start brushing your cat’s teeth
✅To brush your cat’s teeth, apply the bristles to the teeth at a 45-degree angle, reaching both the tooth surface and just beneath the gum margin.
Addressing these common feline dental problems for your kitty can mean the difference between a grumpy, energy-depleted, painful cat and a happy, playful, healthy, pain-free and long-lived cat. Who wouldn’t want that? Remember Happy Cat is = to Happy FurParents 🙏🙂
☘️🌍🌤😻🇷🇺🇵🇭
