Cat Dental Care

Why is Dental Health Important? Dental health is a critical aspect of your pet’s overall health. Dental disease is painful and can lead to other health issues such as kidney disease, heart disease and bacterial infections.

What is involved in a dental cleaning procedure?

During your initial appointment we will do a complete physical exam and get a general idea of your pet’s oral health. We will then create an estimate for a cleaning and include any extractions we can predict. It is impossible to tell which teeth, if any, need extraction until your pet is under anesthesia, the mouth is explored, and x-rays are taken. During your scheduled dental procedure, your pet will be anesthetized, and their teeth will be scaled and polished and each individual tooth assessed for disease processes. Any problem teeth will be noted, x-rayed and may be extracted if necessary.

What are signs of dental problems in cats?

Dental health is a critical aspect of your pet’s overall health. Dental disease is painful and can lead to other health issues such as kidney disease, heart disease and bacterial infections.

Some signs of dental disease include:

• Bad breath
• Red, irritated gums along the teeth
• Discoloration
• Yellow/brown hardened layer on teeth (tartar)
• Loose teeth
• Fractured or worn-down teeth
• Pain or discomfort when face is touched
• Pawing or scratching at face
• Swelling or draining lumps on the face
• Lack of appetite or difficulty chewing

Are some feline breeds more susceptible than others?

Dental disease affects cats of all breeds but cats with “smooshy” faces such as Persians and exotic shorthaired cats are often more susceptible.

What is feline tooth resorption?

A Feline Oral Resorptive Lesion (FORL) is a phenomenon that often occurs in cats. Essentially the body attacks one or more teeth resulting in a lesion on the tooth. FORLs appear as red/pink areas on the tooth itself and can be very painful. On x-ray, the tooth will appear as though it is getting eaten away. It is not completely known why this occurs and the recommended treatment is to remove the tooth to eliminate the source of pain.