Gingivitis may also be brought on by a number of infectious or systemic diseases, including feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline calicivirus, severe kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and autoimmune disease. Not only do kitties with dental problems have trouble eating and experience tremendous pain, their bad teeth can even lead to potentially fatal systemic infections. Clinical Signs/Diagnosis In extreme cases, a cat may lose one or more teeth. The thing about dental disease is that it certainly can do harm to the vital organs, including the kidneys. Cats may keep their coats clean, but their teeth are a different story. Checking for Dental Problems Lift your cat’s lips. When caused by one of these systemic diseases, gingivitis may be accompanied by inflammation or sores in other parts of the pink mucous lining of the mouth, a condition known as stomatitis. Fractured teeth are seen fairly commonly in cats, especially on the tips of the sharp canine teeth, which are prone to breaking off when something firm is bitten into. Cats also need complete dental cleanings done under anesthesia at the veterinary clinic periodically. Gingivitis is characterized by swelling, redness, discomfort, and, in severe cases, bleeding where the gums and the teeth meet (the gingival margin). Periodontal disease is a gum disease that is common among cats. If you need to turn your head … In these cases, your veterinarian may consider amputating the crown of the tooth (the part visible above the gum line). Age Progression. https://www.petmd.com/cat/slideshows/8-common-dental-problems-cats Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. Given that gingivitis leads to periodontitis, most cats with periodontitis will show signs of gingivitis (redness, swelling, bleeding along the gingiva at the base of the teeth), and may also be reluctant or unwilling to eat, drool, turn their heads to the side when chewing, and develop halitosis. In extreme cases of periodontitis, extraction of teeth, sometimes of numerous teeth, may be required. Dental health is an important part of your cat’s annual visit, and your veterinarian will use that time to evaluate your cat’s overall health as … ~ Scarlet. Oral cancer in cats is typically extremely aggressive, destroying the tissue around it and delving into the bone quickly. Broken teeth are prone to developing infections and can be painful if left untreated. In cases in which a cat is showing signs of pain or discomfort and the lesions extend into the crown of the tooth, it’s best to remove the tooth. In cats with good oral health, the bacteria that live in this film are believed to be beneficial, and the plaque that harbors them accumulates above the line where the base of the teeth meets the gums (gingiva). Nowhere is this truer than with the senior cat, who often blesses us with the combination of multiple manageable conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and dental disease, among others. Regardless of the treatment, careful follow-up and monitoring are important. An Indication of Disease or Injury. The issue can develop in any of a cat’s 30 teeth. Cradle your cat from behind. Leave the brush and toothpaste out where the cat can inspect them. Broken teeth are prone to developing infections and can be painful if left untreated. In periodontitis, the tissues that attach the tooth to the underlying gums and bone are weakened as a result of damaging substances produced by disease-causing bacteria and the inflammation caused by the cat’s own immune system. Luckily for cats who have already developed gingivitis, the condition is usually reversible. If the teeth are extracted early in the disease process, the procedure generally results in significant improvement or complete resolution of the inflammation in 60% to 80% of cats. Eventually, plaque will migrate below this point to the subgingival region, where a cat’s immune system may mount a response to these bacteria, resulting in the inflammation that we refer to as gingivitis. Give a reward when your cat licks the toothpaste so he or she associates the toothpaste with an enjoyable experience. Although your veterinarian checks for these dental problems at your cat's annual wellness exam, you can look for several things that signify a veterinary visit is required. In fact, x-rays are usually done when a person is bitten by a young cat to ensure that a tooth tip hasn't been left inside the person. Initially, a bot will ask questions to determine the general nature of your concern. Veterinarian-written / veterinarian-approved articles for your cat. The cat’s temperature will also drop sharply while sedated. Dental disease in cats can cause serious pain and discomfort, which can impact a cat’s quality of life. Tooth resorption in cats is usually first identified as a pinkish defect in the tooth at the line where the tooth meets the gums. When plaque becomes hardened by absorbing minerals from both the saliva and from the gingiva itself, it is referred to as calculus or tartar. Ensure that your cat is healthy enough to endure the use of anesthetic. Dental problems are one of the most common problems vets encounter with cats. Plaque, a thin coat of bacteria, accumulates on the teeth, then it progresses to tartar, leading to gum inflammation. Dental Problems in Cats. Problems that cause toothache in cats include tooth decay, tooth resorption -- which is caused by decay below the gum line -- inflamed gums and fractured teeth. So don’t skimp on your cat’s annual checkups. This disease under the gum line eventually leads to loosening of the teeth. Week 4: Characterized by red, swollen gums, gingivitis is quite common in cats, occurring in up to 90 percent of cats once they pass their fourth birthday. The good news about the earliest phase of gum disease is that it's reversible with proper care. Gently stretch your cat's lips far enough to insert the brush gently between the lips and gums. If the cat’s immune response to these disease-causing bacteria is strong, he or she will develop gingivitis, but it is also possible the cat’s immune system will tolerate the bacteria without any detrimental effects on either. Bad breath. The destruction of the tissues that attach the tooth to both the soft and bony structures that anchor the tooth may lead to loose teeth and tooth loss. Older cats are susceptible to such problems as arthritis, obesity, vision and hearing problems and dementia, as well as a host of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, kidney or liver disease and thyroid problems. Generally, the sooner the problem is identified, the easier and quicker it is to treat. The three most common dental diseases in cats are gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth resorption, and the severity of each of these conditions can vary significantly. Cats are secretive by nature, and it can be difficult to tell if a cat is experiencing oral discomfort. This inflammation is usually the result of a process that begins with the buildup of plaque, a film that harbors bacteria, on the teeth. Cats should ideally have their teeth examined by a vet at least once every 12 months, and cats that have had dental problems should be examined once every 3-6 months depending on their condition. It is prudent for cat owners to keep a regular check of their cat’s mouth and seek veterinary attention if they notice anything amiss. Periodontitis is almost always the result of untreated gingivitis, so controlling this inciting process is crucial. Let your cat become familiar with the smell of the toothpaste. Not only that, but the rest of the soft tissue in the mouth, including the tongue, roof of the mouth, and mucosal tissues can also be affected. Gingivitis This problem is the most common oral disease found in cats, affecting up to 60 percent of domestic felines. If gingivitis is not controlled, it can progress to periodontitis, a condition that eventually cannot be reversed. Cat teeth are uniquely different from dogs; none of the teeth of cats have grinding surfaces. Tooth Resorption. The bacteria living in the plaque and tartar travel below the gum line, resulting in inflammation and infection of the gums and the tooth roots. The Cornell Feline Health Center is closely monitoring the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Excessive drooling can be a sign of a variety of diseases or injury … Pay attention to problems in your cat's mouth, such as bad breath or bleeding gums. Dental disease is a relatively common problem in pet cats (especially as they get older) and can be made more likely by many different factors such as: Age – dental disease is much more common in older cats due to wear, tear and tartar build up throughout life. Gingivitis. A mass in the mouth might be noticed and removed more quickly then, while it may still be treated effectively. Follow this four-week training program to get your cat comfortable with daily brushing. Stomatitis is treated with antibiotics, pain medications, tooth cleaning, and extraction of teeth. If a cat has severe gingivitis, tooth brushing can be quite painful, so consult with a veterinarian before considering brushing the teeth of a cat with gingivitis. 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