Cat Dental Disorders
Dental Disorders in Cats Guide: Here you'll find in-depth information on Dental Disorders in cats including causes, symptoms, and treatments.
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Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of some or all of the tissues and structures surrounding and supporting the teeth. These include the gingiva, cementum, periodontal ligaments and alveolar bones. It is one of the most common diseases in companion cats, affecting all breeds and genders, and tends to worsen with age and bacterial accumulation due to poor dental care. Other terms used to refer to periodontal disease include gingivitis, gum disease and periodontitis.The
A dental home care program should be carried out. Daily care is ideal, but even twice weekly brushing of the teeth and gum has proven beneficial. Although dental care is most easily accomplished in kittens about the time the permanent teeth appear, it can be introduced gradually in older cats as well.The brushing procedure should initially be kept simple and should be followed with a pleasant reward. For example, brushing only one or two teeth
Kittens have a deciduous (baby) set of teeth that are gradually shed during their growing phase. It is uncommon for owners to notice the teeth changing over since the process is gradual, and the teeth are small. Sometimes, a shed tooth can be found on a rug or floor, but unless the owner brushes the teeth daily, it is easy to miss the transition.Sometimes you will see a loose tooth sitting over top the new
Dental disorders in cats are normally caused by genetics, diet, and age. The symptoms of these disorders depend on what type of disorder is present. Some dental disorders only result in a crooked or unique smile, and other dental disorders result in pain and possible infections. While your cat cannot tell you if he or she is in pain, dental disorder symptoms often occur if the condition in your cat is serious.If a cat has
Cats do not develop the same type of cavities that people get. Cats do get holes in their teeth, but they are generally the same color as the tooth and are the result of tooth resorption rather than decay. Most commonly seen at or below the gumline, these "cat cavities" or "neck lesions" are now termed FORLs or feline odontoclastic resorption lesions. FORLs are very painful and often lead to shearing off of the teeth
Cats have 30 permanent teeth, and at some point one of these teeth may become fractured during the cat’s life. A fractured tooth can be extremely painful, but unfortunately our feline friends cannot tell us when they are in pain. However, the symptoms that a cat with a painful fractured tooth displays may help to let you know that something is definitely wrong with your cat. If you notice any of these symptoms in your
Here are some things to expect as you prepare your pet for a dental procedure:For complicated dental procedures or conditions, a patient may be referred to a veterinary dental specialist.