How To Detect Problems In Your Cats Teeth, Gums And Mouth?

After the age of three, almost 80% of cats develop some kind of teeth, gums and mouth disease. You should not take these problems lightly as they are not only restricted to the mouth, sometimes the bacteria may enter the cats bloodstream too, which may lead to kidney or heart disease.

We generally believe that if we give the cat only dry food, it will prevent tooth decay. But the truth is that dry foods contain lesser sugar than wet food which slows down tooth decay, though eventually plaque builds up.

Examine Your Cat Yourself

Before the situation reaches irreparable stage, you can detect the problems in time by doing examination of your cats teeth, gums and mouth on a regular basis. This examination takes just 2-3 minutes and you should do it 2 to 3 times a month.

Heres how you can examine your cats mouth on your own:

• Smell your cats breath - a bad odor is an indication of teeth problems.
• Examine the mouth, by using your thumb and index finger. Make arrangements for good light; spread the side of the mouth open.
• Check the teeth for any yellowing.
• Color of the gums should be healthy pink. Shocking red or pale pink are signs of problems of the teeth, gums and mouth.
• Check your cats throat for redness and cobblestone like appearance. This is a sign of stomatitis.

Sometimes, your cat may not be comfortable and may resist this procedure. Give up at that time and try some other day. Once you and your cat establish a set procedure for teeth, gums and mouth; repeat it two to three times each month. Follow it up once in a year with your vet.

Some tell tale signs of tooth decay are as follows: bad breath, drooling, red or swollen gums, and yellowish brown tartar on teeth and dropping food from mouth etc. If your cat has any of these symptoms, better to get medical help.

Cleaning And Brushing

Prevention is better than cure in the case of cats teeth, gums and mouth problems. For this, you can brush the cats teeth gently with a cloth or baby tooth brush. You can even use a pet tooth brush, which can be fitted on your finger. Do not use your own toothpaste; buy toothpaste meant especially for pets. They come in chicken or malt flavor which cats like.

Do not forget to wash your hands before cleaning your cats teeth, so that there are no chances of germs being introduced by your hand. Include the gum line while you brush with gentle, small, circular strokes. If your cat fiercely fights the brushing and cleaning procedure, you may use the oral hygiene gel. This can be directly fed to the cat or can be hidden in the cat food.

In case of severe problems of the teeth, gums and mouth, the veterinarian can remove the affected tooth and scrape plaque from the teeth. In young kittens, there is no need for brushing but it is a good idea to get the kitten familiar with the touch of a brush. That way as an adult it will not resist brushing and will have fewer tooth problems.