You & Your Pet by Dr. Wise

Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association 11 South Angell Street #347 · Providence, RI 02906 (877) 521-0103 (866) 277-0238 Toll-Free ·Fax

Why do cats need dental care?

Did you know that a kitten has its first tooth at 2-3 weeks of age?  Or that a young cat will have all 30 permanent teeth by the time they are six months old?  Dental care is an often overlooked, yet it is a very important aspect of your cat's health.  Veterinarians promote oral health in many ways, from teaching you how to brush your cat's teeth to filling defects in damaged teeth. 

When you look in your kitty's mouth, you may notice a brown discoloration on his or her teeth.  This is plaque, which is a soft deposit made up of bacteria (the odor producers) and proteins in the saliva.  When plaque hardens, or calcifies, it becomes tartar.  Plaque and tartar formation promote gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontal disease (inflammation of the tooth and bone around it).  These conditions can lead to pain and tooth loss for your cat.   Cervical line lesions or neck lesions are a unique dental disease in cats.   Defects form in the neck of the tooth, which then becomes sensitive and can break at the gumline.  Foul breath, trouble eating, drooling, facial swelling or the desire to eat only soft foods may be signs that a visit to the veterinarian is warranted.  Your veterinarian will determine if a dental cleaning will help your pet, or if more extensive dental work needs to be done.  In  many cases, the diseased tooth will have to be removed or extracted.

Fortunately, preventative dental care can help you avoid dental disease in your cat.  Yes, you can brush your cat's teeth.  The mechanical and abrasive act of using a toothbrush removes plaque before it has time to harden and cause disease.  Home care should consist of daily brushing of the teeth with a toothbrush and paste labeled for felines.  Plaque-retardant oral rinses can also be used instead of toothpaste, but don't skip the brushing!  Hard foods also promote dental health because they are abrasive.  Don't forget to proceed slowly.  Your cat will be less compliant if you start off attempting to brush all 30 teeth.  Begin by dipping your finger in warm water and rub the finger gently over your kitty's mouth and front teeth (the incisors).  This process should be repeated until your cat feels comfortable before progressing to a longer time and further distance into the mouth.   Gradually work up to introduce gauze over the finger and scrub all of the teeth in a circular motion.  A soft toothbrush can then be introduced, but only after many days of the previously mentioned regime.  So if you notice that your favorite feline has kitty halitosis, don't wait until the problem worsens -- visit your veterinarian and begin preventative care today.

This information, prepared as a public service by the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association, answers problems Rhode Island veterinarians currently are seeing in their practices, as well as new developments in animal care.