Cat Dental Care

Dental health plays an essential role in your cat’s health. At your visit with the veterinarian, we can discuss the risks associated with dental disease and the many ways that you as a cat owner can help prevent the disease process.

What is involved in a dental cleaning procedure?

During the dental cleaning, we will scale your cat’s teeth, both above and below the gums. This ensures that we get all of the tartar buildup off and will make your cat’s teeth nice and pearly white. Following this, we will polish the teeth which smoothes over any existing ridges and scratches. It is an important step in the dental cleaning, as bacteria will build up in those edges and scratches, allowing tartar to build up. All of this is done under general anesthesia. While under anesthesia, there is a technician constantly monitoring your cat’s vital signs (heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, blood pressure).

What are the signs of dental problems in cats?

Cats are very good at hiding any issues with their health. Some common signs include red and inflamed gums and drooling. Depending on the severity of their dental disease, they could also have bleeding gums, display difficulties eating, or favour one side of their mouth. There may be tartar build up, foul odour coming from their mouth and in severe cases, some of their teeth may fall out. If you have any concerns with your cat’s dental health, having your cat examined by your veterinarian will help determine the severity of dental disease your cat may have. During the examination, the veterinary team can also develop a treatment plan to help your feline.

Are some feline breeds more susceptible than others?

Your cat’s genetics can be a factor in determining if they are prone to dental disease, but your cat’s diet and lack of regular cleaning are often bigger contributors to their overall oral health.

What is feline tooth resorption?

Feline tooth resorption is also referred to as “Feline Resorptive Lesions”. It is a common and painful disease in cats that is characterized by the gradual destruction and breakdown of teeth.