Do you know what the single most effective way is to maintain dental heath between professional cleanings for your cat? Brushing her teeth! Why? Well, the bacterial film referred to as plaque is the chief cause of periodontal disease in cats. You can easily keep this at bay by brushing your cat’s teeth on a regular basis.
According to petmed.com, cats have 30 teeth once they are fully grown, and taking care of those teeth is no easy undertaking. Cats cannot brush their teeth or find a suitable replacement like dogs can (chewing on bones and grass). So, you have to play a strong and vital role here, and we are going to share a few helpful tips to keep your cat’s teeth and gums healthy and to possibly avoid surgery down the road:
**Be vigilant in your approach. If your cat has offensive bad breath, this is a strong indicator of some oral problems. Left untreated, it will only get worse. This could be related to gum disease and/or tooth decay.
**Maintain that yearly checkup. Regular dental checkups with your vet for your cat are just as important as the overall physical exam. Insist a thorough examination from the vet of your cat’s teeth and gums and advise your vet as to any bleeding, drooling and/or foul odor coming from your cat’s mouth.
**Develop a strict routine for cleaning your cat’s teeth. While adult cats can be somewhat resistant, kittens will quickly adapt. (But don’t avoid this with your adult cat; just be patient!) Use toothpaste made for cats and speak with your vet about the best product to use and the best approach to use.
**Tooth decay typically begins with irritated or inflamed gums, so be sure to stimulate your cat’s gums by massaging them when you can. This swill help accelerate healing as well as strengthen the gums so your cat will be less likely to have gum problems down the road. Your cat’s gums should appear pink and healthy, nor red in appearance or irritated.
**While tartar control treats and chews are fine in moderation, they are not fully sufficient for proper oral care for your cat. Consider offering your cat one of these as a reward after you have cleaned his teeth and gums.
**Please don’t wait until it is too late! Tooth decay and gum disease have been known to have a direct correlation to heart, kidney and other serious chronic illnesses. That is why preventive care and yearly checkups, coupled with a good diet, are your cat’s best defense against illness.
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
