A Cat Owner's Guide to Gingivitis Treatment and Prevention

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a localized inflammation of the gums.

Cats can develop gingivitis at any age, but if you don't look in its mouth, you probably won't notice anything wrong until your cat has problems chewing or closing its mouth. By then, the gingivitis will have progressed and a much more aggressive treatment will be needed to clear it up. Cat owners should take the time to periodically check their pet's mouth from the time it's a little kitten.

What are the symptoms of gingivitis in cats?

• Bad breath
• Yellow or brown deposits on the teeth at the edge of the gums
• Reddened gum edges
• Receding gums and exposed tooth roots
• Drooling saliva
• Lack of appetite
• Mouth pain (your cat may paw at its mouth or rub the side of his face against the ground)
• Difficulty in chewing food
• Inability to close the mouth

The majority of cats over 2 years old usually suffer from some form of dental problems. These problems are found more frequently in purebred cats.

What causes gingivitis in cats?

From the day your cat first gets teeth, bacteria start to form plaque on the slick surface of the enamel. This plaque is mostly removed by chewing. It's still not proven whether dry food is better for removing plaque than soft food.

Plaque is soft, but it hardens into tartar, which is rough. It's more difficult for bacteria to be removed from it by chewing food. The bacteria that sticks to the tartar causes the edges of the gums to become irritated and inflamed.

If untreated, the bacteria does more damage and the gum starts to recede, exposing the root of the tooth. This weakens the hold on the tooth and it might become loose.

The whole process from the first signs of plaque to loose teeth can take a couple of years, but if caught soon enough, it's reversible. That's why it's very important to check your cat's mouth regularly and take care of your cat's dental health.

Treatment of gingivitis in cats

If you see any signs of dental problems in your cat's mouth, take him to the vet for a dental check up.

Your vet will give you advice on which products to use, depending on your cat. You will probably be instructed to brush your cat's teeth to remove plaque and tartar. Never use human toothpaste for your cat. There are special toothpastes for pets that don't froth and will kill bacteria in plaque. Toothbrushes should have small heads on them. The ones available in pet stores for puppies are the right size.

It may take some work to get your cat to accept a toothbrush in his mouth. Some cats never allow it. If your cat becomes distressed when you try to brush his teeth, don't force it. There are special rinses and antiseptic gels that your vet can recommend.

If your cat's teeth are encrusted with tartar, it will need to be removed by descaling. The vet will use general anesthesia on your cat to do this. After removing the tartar, your vet might find that a tooth is seriously diseased and may have to remove it.

Prevention of gingivitis in cats

The key to preventing gingivitis is to keep plaque from hardening and forming tartar on the teeth and damaging the edges of the gums. This can only be done by regular brushing of your cat's teeth and dental check ups by your vet.

Tuft's University School of Veterinary Medicine reports, "Daily cleaning can reduce tartar formation by 95% and weekly cleanings by 76%."

Source:

Pawprints & Purrs, Inc.