If not regularly removed, plaque migrates deeper toward where the gingiva meets the base of the tooth. Cat’s have evolved to eat meat, and not chew or grind plant material. Tooth resorption can be very painful, so affected cats may be reluctant or unwilling to eat, may drool, turn their heads to the side while eating, and may be irritable. If the cat’s immune response to these disease-causing bacteria is strong, he or she will develop gingivitis, but it is also possible the cat’s immune system will tolerate the bacteria without any detrimental effects on either. Oral cancer in cats is typically extremely aggressive, destroying the tissue around it and delving into the bone quickly. Usually, it indicates periodontal disease or infection in the mouth, but it can also mean that the cat has a systemic problem like kidney failure. The best way to help your cat avoid periodontal disease is by brushing his teeth routinely at home with a small brush and pet toothpaste and having him checked over by a veterinarian regularly. This leads to infection and inflammation of the gums, and can sometimes cause teeth to become loose and fall out. Instead, bring it up to your veterinarian, who can do a thorough oral examination and diagnose the source of the odor. Cavities. Stomatitis is treated with antibiotics, pain medications, tooth cleaning, and extraction of teeth. In periodontitis, the tissues that attach the tooth to the underlying gums and bone are weakened as a result of damaging substances produced by disease-causing bacteria and the inflammation caused by the cat’s own immune system. Disease-causing bacteria that accumulate on and below the gums produce substances that damage the cells that form a barrier between the gums and the teeth. If he or she is shy about licking it, apply a dab near the mouth. Some researchers believe that the onset of gingivitis may be caused by a shift in the populations of bacteria in plaque from normal, healthy species, to disease-causing species. Tooth resorption is a process in which the tooth structure breaks down, beginning inside the tooth, and often progressing to other parts of the tooth. In addition to these signs, they may show recession of the gingiva, exposure of tooth root surfaces, and mobility of the teeth. Tooth Resorption They can lead to bad breath, swollen and bleeding gums, loose teeth, and oral pain, and difficulty eating. The three most common dental diseases in cats are gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth resorption, and the severity of each of these conditions can vary significantly. Knowing the subtle signs of oral problems in cats and getting prompt care is critical to maintaining your cat’s quality and duration of life. The most common dental problems seen in cats are gingivitis, periodontal, and tooth resorption. There is little or no evidence that treating gingivitis with antibiotics alone is effective. Calculus provides a rough surface that disease-causing species of bacteria can attach to. Periodontal disease in cats is one of the most common and serious cat health problems-affecting approximately 70% of cats by the time they are 3 years old. This inflammation is usually the result of a process that begins with the buildup of plaque, a film that harbors bacteria, on the teeth. Often, cats with stomatitis rub at their mouths with their paws and have decreased or absent appetites. Get your cat used to the toothbrush. As with all inflammation, this will lead to painful swelling. Typically, cat teeth problems are signaled by bad breath, drooling, pawing the mouth and sometimes sneezing and coughing. The issue can develop in any of a cat’s 30 teeth. To treat feline tooth resorption, a veterinarian will aim to manage the cat’s pain, prevent the condition from progressing, and restore the function of the tooth or teeth as much as possible. Your veterinarian may recommend careful monitoring in cases in which lesions are limited to the tooth root and obvious discomfort is not apparent. The best way to prevent gingivitis in cats is to regularly remove plaque build-up by tooth brushing (see Figure 1). When plaque becomes hardened by absorbing minerals from both the saliva and from the gingiva itself, it is referred to as calculus or tartar. If a cat has severe gingivitis, tooth brushing can be quite painful, so consult with a veterinarian before considering brushing the teeth of a cat with gingivitis. First, plaque builds up on the teeth, and then it becomes tartar. Deciding whether a senior cat should have its teeth cleaned can be difficult. Tooth crowding and insufficient oral health care may contribute to plaque accumulation. If the teeth are extracted early in the disease process, the procedure generally results in significant improvement or complete resolution of the inflammation in 60% to 80% of cats. In many cases, dental disease causes a cat to stop eating, which leads to a variety of health problems. Nowhere is this truer than with the senior cat, who often blesses us with the combination of multiple manageable conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and dental disease, among others. Brush your cat's teeth once a month to keep his mouth healthy. Cup his chin and slowly lift up his lip. This allows the bacteria access to the connective tissue below the teeth where the cat’s immune system will probably react by making the gums inflamed and painful. In cats with good oral health, the bacteria that live in this film are believed to be beneficial, and the plaque that harbors them accumulates above the line where the base of the teeth meets the gums (gingiva). 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