Mary Allen
brushing teeth in cats? Is that really necessary? Many people are still amazed when told that regular dental care is just as important for cats as it is for humans.
In fact, unkempt teeth can also have serious consequences for cats: After every meal, food components stick between and on the teeth. These residues are fodder for bacteria. They decompose the leftover food and feed on the released nutrients. Bad breath – even if it can put the good human-cat relationship to the test – is one of the harmless consequences of this feast for bacteria. In addition to foul-smelling gases, acids and plaque are also produced. The acids primarily attack the gums. The sensitive gums react with inflammation. It swells and gets a rough surface.
Without Cleaning, There Is A Risk Of Inflammation
If the inflammation is not stopped, the gum will separate from the tooth over time. A pocket forms between the tooth and the gum. These gum pockets are an ideal breeding ground for other bacteria – a vicious circle begins that can eventually lead to tooth loss. Bacteria and food residues from greasy deposits on the tooth itself. Minerals from the saliva combine with the plaque and tartar forms. These hard yellowish to brown deposits aggravate the inflammation of the gums, especially if periodontal pockets have already developed. Around 70 percent of all cats over the age of three suffer from tartar. House tigers are particularly susceptible to these unaesthetic “fossilizations” because they drink relatively little and their saliva contains many minerals.
Indoor Cats Are More At Risk
Because cats that feed on mice rarely suffer from tartar formation – but with various other health risks. On the other hand, cats that drink a lot of milk build-up significantly more tartar than those that quench their thirst with water. Those who only eat wet food are more likely to risk plaque than cats who nibble on dry food or other chews with their teeth. The breed and hereditary factors also play a major role in the disposition to have too much or little tartar: With extremely narrow-headed Orientals, also with Abyssinians and Somalis, the teeth are often very close together or not correct, which promotes food residues in the gaps and thus the formation of bacteria and – gingivitis. The flat-headed Persians, on the other hand, sometimes have problems eating and/or malformations or missing teeth. Here, too, oral cavity problems are inevitable. After all, kittens inherit the annoying predisposition to early tooth loss from their parents.
How To Prevent
Cats with tartar and mouth sores suffer from pain. In acute processes, they salivate profusely and refuse to eat. The tartar and gum pockets are also constant sources of bacteria from which germs can constantly be swept through the bloodstream into all organs of the body. In particular, they endanger the health of the heart and kidneys. Once tartar and gum pockets have formed, brushing alone no longer helps. The veterinarian must clean the teeth with ultrasound and possibly remove the periodontal pockets. But after that, brushing your teeth prevents the problems from starting all over again. Most owners are also of goodwill and would like to brush their cat’s teeth daily. Unfortunately, many cats cannot be persuaded to brush their teeth regularly. But one should not immediately throw in the towel. Young cats are the easiest to get used to the teeth cleaning procedure. You proceed carefully step by step. Take advantage of the moment when your cat relaxes and cuddles with you. By the way, you touch her lips while caressing. During the next cuddling session, playfully and tenderly pull up one lip and then the other and gently massage your gums with a finger. Watch your cat closely – at the slightest sign of protest, stop and pet her favorite spot instead. After a few times, most cats even enjoy the gum massage. Then they can take it a step further and smear a little cat toothpaste on your finger. At the vet, there are meat-flavored pastes. If that also works well, you can try it with a soft brush.
If You Chew Well, You Help Yourself
It’s true, of course: only a cat that gets used to regular brushing of teeth at an early stage will put up with it without massive resistance. If you have neglected to do this, or if your cat didn’t eat until it was older, it will have to polish its teeth itself with your help. In these cases, e.g. B. tooth-cleaning feed or treats to clean the teeth to some extent. There is also toothpaste for animals at the vet that is either put directly on the gums or in the feed. These pastes contain cleaning particles that practically clean the teeth while eating. Even the best food cannot remove tartar that is already stuck, only the vet can do that. Most of the time he has to put the animal under anesthesia in order to thoroughly remove all deposits with ultrasound. However, this is still less dangerous than the possible consequences without this intervention. If all 30 teeth, or at least those that have not fallen out or been extracted, are sparkling clean, let it get that far for as long as possible or never again. At the latest at the annual vet check, you can have it checked to see whether your countermeasures have taken effect.