Now that your cat’s teeth are sparkling it is important to begin a dental care regime to prevent them from getting into the same condition again. We understand that this can be difficult, so below are some tricks and information which should help.
After a dental scale and polish it only takes 3 months before a cat’s teeth form plaque and tartar again if the dental care regime is not changed.
Caring for Your Cat’s Teeth
As a cat-only clinic, we know that daily tooth brushing with an appropriate oral gel is the absolute best way to care for your cat’s smile. Even cats on a dry food diet only use a few teeth to chew, leaving the rest of the mouth untouched.
Plaque vs. Tartar
- Plaque: This is the yellow, filmy layer of bacteria on the teeth that can be removed through brushing or chewing.
- Tartar: When plaque is left on the teeth, it hardens and calcifies into tartar.
- Treatment: Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and requires professional veterinary scaling to remove, though continued brushing is vital to stop the condition from getting worse.
Why Dental Health Matters
Cats are excellent at hiding pain and will often continue eating even with significant dental disease. Keep an eye out for these health risks:
- Abscesses and Pain: Tooth abscesses are incredibly painful and can be difficult to treat.
- Bad Breath: “Smelly cat breath” is not normal and indicates halitosis.
- Grooming Changes: Excessive salivation can make grooming distressing, leading to depression and a lack of self-care.
- Stomatitis: This painful autoimmune reaction to plaque causes inflammation down to the throat and is common in FIV patients.
- Organ Dysfunction: Severe dental disease is linked to heart disease, kidney failure, and a weakened immune system.
A 3-Step Guide to Brushing
Start gradually to help your cat accept this new routine. Always choose a time and place where you both feel relaxed.
Step 1: Get them comfortable (Week 1)
- Sit with your cat on your lap, facing away from you.
- Gently massage their head and cheeks, occasionally lifting the lips on one side at a time.
- Keep these sessions very short and repeat once a day.
Step 2: Introduce the toothpaste (Week 2)
- Always use a pet-specific toothpaste, as the fluoride in human toothpaste can make cats very poorly.
- Try pet-friendly flavours like poultry or fish.
- Let them lick a pea-sized amount off your finger or their front paw once a day.
- Alternatively, use a cotton bud to gently massage a small amount of paste onto their teeth and gums.
Step 3: Start brushing (Week 3+)
- Use a pet toothbrush, a finger brush, or a small child’s toothbrush.
- Press a pea-sized amount of paste deeply into the bristles.
- Start by brushing just one or two back teeth in a circular motion.
- Add another tooth every few days until you build up to 30 seconds on each side daily.
Top Tips for Success
- Focus on the back teeth: Start with the molars and pre-molars, as these are less sensitive than the front teeth and are more prone to tartar build-up.
- Go slow: Always be gentle and stop if your cat begins to fuss; we don’t want them to view this as a bad experience.
- Watch for pain: If you notice signs of pain or reddening gums, stop brushing and book a dental check with the vet.
- Reward them: Follow up with a play session or a dental treat.
- Watch their weight: If you use treats or food as a reward, remember to adjust your cat’s daily food allowance.
- Stick to a routine: Cats love routine, so try to brush their teeth at a similar time every day.
Alternatives to Brushing
If brushing simply isn’t suitable for your cat’s character, consider these alternatives:
- Gels and Pastes: These can be rubbed directly onto the teeth with your finger or placed on paws to be licked off.
- Dental Diets: Specially shaped kibbles help remove plaque by chewing, and some contain plaque-breaking enzymes.
- Oral Hygiene Rinses: These safe liquids are designed to be swallowed and are added to your cat’s drinking water daily.
- Plaque Off: A seaweed-based granule sprinkled onto food that helps the cat’s own saliva break down plaque.
Need help? If you are struggling, we are happy to give you a demonstration. We are here to help with any questions, no matter how small. Call us at 01223 880707.