Dental disease in cats
Is dental disease a problem in cats?
We are all aware of the importance of caring for our own teeth with twice or three times daily brushing combined with regular visits to the dentist to check on our oral health. For a cat it is just as important that they obtain regular oral care and dental check ups with your veterinary practice. It has been estimated that in excess of 80% of cats and dogs over the age of two years suffer from periodontal disease to a greater or lesser extent.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is the term used to describe inflammation and infection in the tissues surrounding the teeth. Dental plaque is the primary cause of periodontal disease. Plaque is a soft colourless material, which is largely made up of bacteria that have settled on the tooth surface. It is not visible to the naked eye unless it has been stained specifically.
Calculus (or tartar) will form on the teeth and this is visible to the naked eye as a solid deposit on the teeth, which cannot be removed by normal tooth brushing. Calculus develops due to the precipitation of calcium salts from the saliva. Once this calculus is in place it further aids the development of plaque and hence the periodontal disease will continue to develop.
Signs of periodontal disease include halitosis (bad breath), redness and soreness around the gums, receding gums, pus in the mouth and loose or painful teeth. Your pet may have difficulty in eating if their mouth is very painful, although this tends not to affect most cats with relatively mild periodontal disease.
As well as causing pain and discomfort in the mouth periodontal disease can have more widespread implications for the health of your pet. It has been shown that the bacteria in the mouth and the toxins that they produce can spread in your cat’s bloodstream and may increase the chance that your pet will develop generalised diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease and liver disease. It is clear then that it is equally important that we take care of our pets’ teeth as it is that we take care of our own.
How can periodontal disease be prevented?
The most effective way to combat plaque build up is to brush your cat’s teeth. Unfortunately this is not always easy to manage as a lot of cats will resent having their teeth brushed. It is often tolerated if the learning process can be started from a young age so if you have a kitten it is worth obtaining advice from your veterinary surgeon on the best technique. It is important that you do not use a human toothpaste as your cat will resent the foaming and is unlikely to enjoy the taste.
Human toothpastes are not designed to be swallowed and your cat will inevitably swallow any toothpaste that is used. There are a number of toothpastes available which are specifically designed for animal use and your veterinary surgeon will be able to advise you on which is the most suitable for your cat. Special brushes are available to help make the task easier for you and gentle on your cat - again your veterinary surgeon will be able to advise you on this.
If you cannot manage to brush your cat’s teeth then you may be able to gain some benefit by placing the toothpaste on a favourite toy or on your cat’s front paw to be licked off – the effects will not be as good as brushing but will be better than nothing. It has also been shown that plaque will build up more slowly if you feed your cat on dried food than tinned food, so it may be worth discussing your cat’s diet with your veterinary surgeon if you are concerned about dental disease.
What if my cat already has calculus or tartar build up?
Unfortunately once calculus is in place the only way to remove it is to have the teeth scaled and polished professionally by your veterinary surgeon. This requires a general anaesthetic but the long-term health benefits make it a well worthwhile procedure. Your veterinary surgeon will be able to carry out a health assessment of your cat before the procedure to ensure that they are happy to go ahead with the anaesthetic.
Remember - once the teeth have been cleaned it is important to keep them clean by brushing and ensure your cat receives regular dental check-ups. If the teeth are not kept clear of plaque following the scale and polish procedure then the dental disease will develop again, necessitating further dental treatment and more general anaesthetics for your cat.
Prevention is always better than cure!
