Dental disease is a reality for most cats. By age four, many cats have significant gingivitis and many also have periodontal disease. It is a serious disease that progresses slowly, causing pain and affecting the overall health and wellbeing of your pet. Today we’re going to discuss what you – as a cat owner – need to know about feline dental care in Idaho Falls.
What Is Proper Dental Hygiene For Your Cat’s Teeth?
There are several ways to ensure proper feline dental care in Idaho Falls. All of them involve diligence and commitment from you as a cat owner. Your feline friend will not tell you if he or she needs dental care, so it is up to you to proactively address their needs.
Some facts:
- Good nutrition is the foundation for good dental health;
- When possible establish a cat teeth cleaning routine when your cat is young;
- Schedule semi-annual exams;
- Watch for signs of possible dental issues such as bad breath;
- Tell your vet during the checkup about any behaviors you’ve noticed, or concerns you have;
- Early prevention is extremely important to avoiding or treating serious dental issues.
Proper cat teeth cleaning consists of an oral exam and x-rays under anesthesia in order to properly diagnose any dental disease that may be present. Some dental issues in cats include gingivitis and periodontal disease that may require medication and or dental work to alleviate the pain.
The importance of annual exams cannot be underestimated. In order to remain healthy, feline dental care in Idaho Falls is something you should trust to your veterinarian.
How Often Is It Necessary To Clean A Cat’s Teeth?
The recommended frequency of cleaning your cat’s teeth depends upon several factors such as age, genetics, diet, lifestyle and the presence of other health conditions.
Regardless of signs or symptoms, your cat should have a dental checkup annually at a minimum. While you should be looking at your cat’s teeth periodically yourself, it is easy to miss the types of problem signs that a trained and experienced veterinarian will pick up on.
It is significantly easier to address and resolve dental issues that are spotted early, compared to dental issues that go unnoticed and are allowed to further develop. Therefore, a proactive approach to feline dental care in Idaho Falls is recommended.
Gum Disease In Cats
Gum disease, also known as gingivitis and can become periodontal disease if it spreads into the tooth. These conditions affect a cat’s gums and the portions of their teeth below the gum line. Periodontal disease is considered the most prevalent illness in cats over three years of age. However, it is also the most under diagnosed, because many cat owners unfortunately just do not realize the importance of cat dental care.
Cat Tooth Extraction
Cat tooth extraction is necessary in several cases, including advanced stage gum disease. Advanced periodontal disease can cause loss of viable teeth. The teeth that are severely affected should be extracted before the damage is permanent.
Common Cat Dental Problems include:
- Plaque build-up;
- Gingivitis;
- Periodontal disease;
- Tooth loss;
- Mouth sores and ulcers;
- Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORL);
- And, like in humans, kidney, liver, and heart disease.
Cats are very adept at hiding symptoms of pain and illness. Bad breath is the only symptom of dental problems that you are at all likely to observe in your cat. If your cat has noticeable bad breath, you should schedule a dental exam with your veterinarian.
Call our office today to schedule an appointment to ensure that your cat is receiving the best feline dental care in Idaho Falls. Our staff is here to help make taking care of your pet’s oral health easy for you, while making it as painless and comfortable for your feline friend as possible.
