Doggy breath and drool may be a common occurrence in some households, but what happens when they make the jump to our feline friends? If you’re noticing signs of bad breath and excessive salivation from your normally pristine cat, don’t blame her association with the dog. Halitosis and drooling are two key indicators of dental disease in cats. Here’s what you need to know about four of the most common oral issues seen in cats.

 

Gingivitis

Considered the earliest stage of dental disease, gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, can be reversed with treatment. Removing plaque buildup, especially under the gum line, and preventing more from forming allows the gum tissue to return to normal. A cat’s immune system reacts to the bacteria found in plaque, which can begin to form within 24 hours after a pet’s teeth have been cleaned. Watch out for these signs of gingivitis:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Oral discomfort
  • Bleeding along the gum line
  • Drooling
  • Bad breath

While a large portion of gingivitis cases seen are caused by plaque, there are quite a few other diseases that can cause inflamed gums in your cat, such as:

  • Feline leukemia virus
  • Feline immunodeficiency virus
  • Feline calicivirus
  • Kidney disease
  • Diabetes
  • Autoimmune diseases

 

Periodontitis

Next on the dental disease path is periodontitis. If gingivitis is not treated, it can escalate to periodontitis, a condition that is not reversible if it becomes too severe. Damage-inducing bacteria in plaque weakens the tissues that attach the teeth to the gums and bone, potentially leading to loose or missing teeth. In addition to the signs that appear with gingivitis—since gingivitis almost always leads to periodontitis—gum recession, tooth root exposure, and loose teeth will also become apparent. In an attempt to save teeth damaged by periodontitis, a thorough oral examination and veterinary cleaning is required to evaluate and remove sources of infection. In severe cases of periodontitis, extraction of the damaged, loose teeth is necessary.

 

Stomatitis

Cats are mysterious creatures, and there are many things about them we don’t understand. For instance, they can become allergic to their own teeth, and we have no idea why this happens. Affected cats develop a hypersensitivity to plaque buildup, causing a severe inflammation within the oral cavity, or stomatitis. This extremely painful condition can cause your cat to drool, avoid food, or paw at her mouth. Treatment is challenging and can involve lifelong steroid use to suppress the immune system from attacking the entire oral cavity. It can also escalate to require extraction of all the teeth to remove the source of infection.

 

Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions

An estimated 70 percent of cats over the age of 5 suffer from feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions, or FORLs. These lesions appear as overgrown gingiva, but are actually areas of inflamed gum tissue filling in holes in affected teeth. A simple cotton swab may help clue you in on the source of dental pain. When running the swab over your cat’s gum line, wincing or “chattering” may indicate your cat is suffering from FORLs. Contact us if your cat appears painful or is not eating well. With a thorough physical examination, we can accurately determine the cause of your feline friend’s oral pain.

 

How you can prevent dental disease in your cat

Preventing dental disease from taking hold within your cat’s mouth is a lifelong battle, since 50 to 90 percent of cats older than 4 years of age suffer from some form of dental disease. Fortunately, with a good home-care routine and regular veterinary checkups, many of these oral diseases are preventable or treatable. Follow these pointers to keep your cat’s teeth in tip-top shape:

  • Shop smart. Do your research before filling your cart with dental treats, water additives, wipes, and foods. Spend some time investigating dental care products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to get the most bang for your buck. These products have scientific evidence backing up their tartar and plaque prevention claims.
  • Establish a routine. Get into the habit of regular oral care for your cat. While convincing your feline friend that a toothbrush is not the enemy can be difficult, training your cat to tolerate daily tooth brushing sessions will do more to prevent dental disease than any product.
  • Watch closely. Keep an eye on your pet’s eating habits. Does she suddenly back away from the food bowl or eat more slowly than normal? How about dropping kibble or pawing at her mouth? These changes can point to dental issues.
  • Enlist help. You’re not alone in your battle against tartar buildup within your cat’s mouth. Schedule checkups at least annually to allow us to fully examine your pet’s teeth, gums, and tongue.

 

Is your cat showing signs of dental disease? Schedule an oral examination to get to the “root” of the problem.