Oral health is critical to your cat’s overall health. Your cat requires their mouth, teeth, and gums to feed and vocalize, so when they are ill or wounded, they suffer pain and cannot eat or speak normally. Bacteria and infections that cause oral health concerns in cats will not survive in their mouths. Untreated illness and bacteria from your cat’s mouth can harm their kidneys, liver, and heart, compromising overall health and longevity.
What are the most common dental issues for cats?
What are the most common dental disorders in cats? Keep reading to find out more.
Periodontal Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of serious oral health problems in cats, affecting approximately 70% by three. Without frequent cleaning, plaque collects and hardens into tartar above and below the gum line, causing swelling, bleeding, or irritated gums. If left untreated, the condition can cause poor breath, gum pus, fever, jaw bone deterioration, and tooth loss. The infection may also harm the body’s primary organs. Maintaining your pet’s routine professional dental cleanings from places like Cat Clinic of Seattle is the most effective way to prevent gum disease.
Resorption of the Teeth
Tooth resorption is a painful condition produced by biological processes that erode the tooth structure from the outer enamel along the gum line to the pulp-containing inside the tooth. Lesions on the teeth can sometimes resemble caries, which are uncommon in cats. The affected teeth will almost definitely require extraction in the future.
Dental Fracturing
Cats’ teeth grow brittle and prone to shattering as they age. Teeth that have fragmented through to the dentin or pulp tissues will almost certainly need to be pulled since the afflicted tooth will be exceedingly painful and at risk of developing an infection or tooth root abscess.
Stomatitis
This painful and debilitating disorder is caused by an overactive immune system’s reaction to periodontal disease-causing bacteria. It is characterized by ulceration or inflammation of the mouth’s soft tissues. While some cats may respond to medication and attentive oral hygiene, tooth extraction is usually the most effective treatment for this problem.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in cats. It can develop in the tongue, lips, gums, and soft palate, among other areas of the oral cavity. Early detection, a good cat health care plan and treatment of illness increase the likelihood of complete recovery.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Brushing and cleaning your cat’s mouth on a regular basis is the most effective strategy to avoid the development of dental problems. The plaque will be removed from your cat’s gums and teeth before it causes harm or infection. Bring your cat in annually for a professional dental checkup and cleaning to keep its teeth healthy.
Conclusion
It is preferable to begin cleaning your cat’s teeth and gums when they are still kittens since they will adapt more rapidly. This will help prevent oral health problems from happening in the first place. If your cat would not allow you to brush their teeth, dental treats and diets can be utilized to keep their teeth healthy.
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