How to Treat Your Cat's Dental Problems

How to Treat Your Cat's Dental Problems

 If your cat isn’t eating or has bad breath, it could be suffering from a dental issue. It might be a gum or tooth infection, tartar buildup, or even a damaged tooth. To examine your cat's teeth, gently pull back their lips or open their mouth. If you notice any concerns, it’s important to contact your veterinarian for treatment options. Your cat’s teeth might just need a good brushing, or they could require antibiotics or possibly even an extraction.

Treating Heavy Tartar or Gingivitis

1. Give your cat oral hygiene products. These help reduce the bacteria in their mouth and are beneficial for dental care, especially for cats prone to gum infections or bad breath. An example of such a product is Hexarinse. To use, dip a clean cotton tip into the liquid and wipe it over your cat’s tooth enamel and gum line. The active ingredient in Hexarinse, chlorhexidine, is a mild antiseptic that repels bacteria for up to 12 hours, so it works best when applied to already clean teeth. It will help prevent plaque buildup, but it won’t eliminate existing tartar. Repeat this treatment twice daily. Never dip a used cotton bud back into the Hexarinse to avoid contamination.

2. Note signs of tartar buildup. Tartar accumulation can affect your cat's ability to open and close their mouth properly. You may notice that your cat is spending a lot of time moving their jaw up and down, or you might hear a clicking sound when they open and close their mouth. Tartar can also contain bacteria that irritates the gums, causing infection and bad breath. If you observe red gums or bleeding along the gum line, it could indicate an infection.

3. Schedule an appointment for dental descaling. This procedure uses an ultrasonic descaler machine to remove tartar from the teeth without damaging the enamel. It’s a non-invasive process and shouldn't cause your cat any pain. To ensure all surfaces of your cat’s teeth are accessible, they will be given general anesthesia. After the initial tartar removal, the vet will polish each tooth and check for other potential dental problems.

4. Talk to your vet about giving your cat antibiotics. If your cat has an infection or severe gingivitis, your vet may recommend antibiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics like amoxicillin-clavulanate are effective because they penetrate the gum tissue and saliva. Most cats will need to take antibiotics twice daily, either in pill form or as an oral rinse. A 5-day course may be sufficient for mild gingivitis, but if the gingivitis is severe, the treatment could last at least two weeks. Keep in mind that some vets are hesitant to use antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, so this may not be the first course of action.

5. Debulk tartar. This process involves removing large amounts of tartar using dental forceps. It’s typically used for localized lumps of tartar that are causing irritation, such as rubbing against another tooth or causing sores inside the mouth. While debulking can remove these lumps, it carries the risk of damaging the enamel or scraping the gums, so it’s not always the best solution.

Addressing Other Dental Problems

1. Get antibiotics for a root infection. Tooth root infections may show signs like pus between the gum and the tooth, facial swelling near the affected area, or through dental x-rays. Antibiotics are crucial to treating these infections, though many cats experience recurrent infections even after a course of antibiotics. If this happens, tooth extraction may become necessary.

2. Arrange for an extraction if a tooth is fractured. If you notice cracks in a tooth or if your cat is avoiding eating on one side of their mouth, it’s time to visit the vet. The vet will take x-rays to determine the extent of the damage and discuss whether a root canal or extraction is needed. Your cat will be given anesthesia for the procedure and should recover fully afterward.

3. Watch missing teeth closely for infection. As cats age, it’s normal for them to lose teeth, but these missing teeth can harbor bacteria and lead to infections. Keep an eye on these areas and take your cat for annual checkups to monitor for any issues.

4. Agree to pain medications or surgery for possible jaw issues. If your cat eats slowly or struggles to close their mouth, they may be dealing with jaw problems. Your vet will likely order imaging tests to identify any issues and may prescribe pain medications or recommend surgery to strengthen the jaw.

Supporting Dental Health at Home

1. Experiment with different textures of food. If your cat is experiencing dental pain, consider offering soft or liquid foods to help them get the necessary calories without causing further discomfort. Look for high-calorie options that are easy to eat, such as pate-like foods, and mash them to make them even softer. Some cats, however, prefer dry kibble, so don’t hesitate to offer a variety of food textures and see what works best for your cat.

2. Give your cat an anti-plaque/tartar food. Feeding your cat special food designed to remove tartar, such as Hills TD diet, can be an effective way to reduce plaque buildup. These foods have a tooth-scraping action that helps remove tartar as your cat chews. However, this is only effective if your cat has healthy gums and light tartar buildup. Do not use this diet if your cat’s gums are sore, as it could worsen the condition.

3. Brush your cat’s teeth. Regularly brushing your cat's teeth can help remove harmful bacteria and debris. Use a pet-specific toothbrush and apply either water or cat-friendly toothpaste. Brush your cat’s gums and teeth gently in circular motions once a day. Start slowly, letting your cat get used to the brushing process. As your cat becomes more comfortable, you can gradually extend the amount of time spent brushing.

Checking for Dental Problems

1. Lift your cat’s lips. Gently hold your cat’s head steady with one hand and use your other hand to lift their upper lip on both sides to examine their outer teeth. Then, pull down the lower lip to inspect the lower teeth and gums.

2. Open your cat’s mouth. To help open your cat’s mouth, form a "C" shape with your left hand and gently press between the lips, so your cat slightly opens its mouth. Use your right hand to carefully open the lower jaw by pressing downwards.

3. Ask for assistance holding your cat in place. If you're at home, having someone help hold your cat still can make the process easier. Ideally, your cat should be lying on a flat surface for a more stable checkup.

4. Look for signs of healthy gums. Healthy gums should be pink and sit snugly against the teeth. There should be no bleeding or redness where the gum meets the tooth.

5. Check for signs of diseased gums. If your cat’s gums are red or bleeding, this could be a sign of gingivitis, a common dental problem. Gingivitis may also cause bad breath due to bacterial buildup.

6. Assess your cat’s teeth to determine if they are healthy. The teeth should be firm, free of tartar buildup, and not fractured. Any visible holes, cracks, or soft spots could indicate a dental issue.

7. Look for signs of diseased teeth. Diseased teeth may appear coated in tartar, loose, or broken. Cats may also develop feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORL), which are painful cavities in the tooth enamel. If left untreated, FORL can cause severe discomfort and additional lesions.

8. Set up an appointment with your cat’s vet. Your vet will assess your cat’s dental health and create a treatment plan. If necessary, a tooth extraction will be performed under anesthesia to minimize trauma to the gum and jawbone.