Stop and reflect for a moment, most people will brush their teeth
before they go to bed. A roughness can be felt on our teeth at the end
of the day, and this "roughness" that is felt is plaque build-up. What
if us humans didn't brush our teeth or have them professionally cleaned
for three years? This is how it is for most of our pets. Plaque consists
mostly of bacteria and if not removed from the tooth surface, will
quickly mineralize into calculus, which are the hard tan deposits on a
pet's teeth. Over time the calculus will irritate the gums and cause
gingivitis, which then in turn can cause an unhealthy and painful mouth
resulting in periodontal disease. If periodontal disease is not treated,
vital organs such as the heart and kidney can be negatively affected.
Cats have 30 teeth; 12 less teeth than their canine counterparts.
Although cats can do perfectly fine with missing teeth, they do not have
that many to spare. When your cat is sitting in your lap or in a good
mood, hold her in your arms and gently lift her lip to reveal her gums
and teeth. What you will be looking for is a red gum line (gingivitis),
tan or brown deposits on teeth (calculus), and broken teeth.
Clinical
signs without looking at the teeth would be foul smelling breath,
drooling, change in eating habits, pawing at the mouth, or shaking of
the head. If you have noticed any of these signs, it is time for your
cat to see the Veterinarian for a dental intervention.Other than
periodontal disease, cats are susceptible to an extremely painful
disease of the teeth called feline tooth resorption. This excruciating
disease starts by destroying the enamel of the teeth and slowly deepens
down to expose the sensitive areas of the teeth, such as the pulp and
root. At first the resorption can look like a small hole or cavity in
the tooth, and then eventually progresses into the gum tissue growing
over or into the tooth. The true cause of tooth resorption is unknown,
but research suggests that poor oral hygiene can be a contributing
factor because of gingivitis bringing inflammatory mediators to the
surrounding affected teeth. The treatment for a tooth affected by tooth
resorption is extraction by a Veterinarian under general anesthesia.
Since this condition affects approximately 30-40% of cats, it is another
reason why you should check your cat's mouth regularly.
