Dental Care

Oral hygiene is an often-overlooked but an important factor in your cat’s overall health. If he/she has a toothache or sore gums, they are dealing with pain and stress that you may not be aware they are experiencing. Left untreated, bacteria introduced by the problem can enter the bloodstream and affect their heart, kidneys, or liver.

What is involved in a dental cleaning procedure?

A cat dental cleaning procedure is performed under a general anesthetic. The cat is anesthetized, maintained on surgical IV fluids and closely monitored during the entire procedure by a veterinarian and a registered veterinary technologist. During the procedure, plaque and tartar are cleaned from the teeth and under the gums. Gum health and infected/damaged teeth are assessed. Dental radiographs are taken to assess the health of the tooth, root, and jaw bone. Infected or damaged teeth are often extracted. The remaining healthy teeth are finally polished.

What are the signs of dental problems in cats?

The signs of dental problems in cats include bad breath, swollen or red gums, facial swelling, drooling, inappetence, and/or weight loss.

Are some feline breeds more susceptible than others?

Although all cats are susceptible to dental disease, Persian cats tend to be at a higher risk due to their jaw structure.

What is feline tooth resorption?

Feline tooth resorption is an oral disease seen in cats. The lesion starts as a hole in the tooth, and if left untreated, the lesion will penetrate the dentin and jaw bone. Tooth resorption is very painful and affected teeth must be extracted. The cause of resorptive lesions is still unknown.