What are the dental problems in cats??
Dental problems in cats as well as gum disease are common. Studies show that between 50 and 90% of cats over four years old suffer from some form of dental disease.
Cats use their mouths for all kinds of activities, such as eating, hunting, playing, biting, and grooming. Their occupied teeth are exposed to many different substances and can develop into various forms of dental problems in cats over time.
Fortunately, the most common forms of these diseases are largely preventable or treatable with preventive dental care and monitoring.
What are the dental problems in cats??
One of the most common dental problems in cats is
1- Bad breath, dental problems in cats
Bad breath in cats is a very common complaint in veterinary medicine.
Bad breath can be the result of multiple problems in the oral cavity, from minor gum disease to an infected mass.
Bad breath may also be caused by a systemic disease such as diabetes or kidney disease.
If your cat is also experiencing changes in appetite, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, or diarrhea, you should call your vet sooner rather than later. These could be signs of a more serious underlying problem that needs to be addressed quickly.
2- Periodontal disease
Gum disease is the number one medical condition diagnosed in cats – more so than weight issues, kidney disease, or any of the other problems we usually associate with cats.
By the age of three, most cats have some degree of gum disease, although we often miss the subtle signs early on when they can be easily treated.
Gum disease begins in the form of plaque and tartar buildup on the tooth. Over time, plaque spreads below the gum line, leading to inflammation, infection, and eventual tooth loss.
Starting a home dental care regimen early can make a big difference later in your cat's life by keeping the amount of plaque and tartar lower.
3- Stomatitis
Feline stomatitis is a very painful condition caused by severe inflammation or ulceration of the tissues lining the oral cavity (gum, cheek, tongue, etc.).
Although some breeds such as Himalayans and Persians may be predisposed to this condition, stomatitis appears in all breeds of cats and can start before the cat reaches one year of age.
Cats who get stomatitis have severe redness in the mouth and cause inflammation and resist having their teeth checked. They often have a lack of appetite due to the pain caused by eating, and in severe cases, they can become malnourished because it is too painful to eat.
While mild cases may respond to medical care and home care such as a toothbrush, the best results are seen with surgical cleaning, removal of affected tissue, and tooth extraction using dental X-rays to confirm complete removal of the roots.
While this may sound extreme, many cats show amazing progress and return to normal eating habits very quickly after surgery, even if multiple teeth are extracted. Learn about stomatitis in cats
4- infection
Infection in the oral cavity can occur as a secondary reaction to trauma, foreign bodies in the mouth, immunosuppression, or conditions such as dental erosion.
Generalized infection of the gum tissue leads to swelling and redness, while localized accumulation of infection and pus can lead to an abscess.
A tooth root abscess causes pain and swelling in the jaw that quickly spreads to the surrounding tissues. You may notice facial swelling or even an eye protrusion if the infection spreads to the area around the eye-opening.
You may also notice that your cat is not eating or eating less, and cats may scratch their faces due to the discomfort.
Treatment should begin as soon as the abscess is diagnosed. This includes extracting the affected tooth or a root canal procedure, treating the infection with antibiotics, and controlling pain.
5-Eat teeth
Dental erosion in cats is a common and undiagnosed condition, affecting up to three-quarters of cats over the age of 5.
A tooth consists of both the bony material (dentin and enamel) and the soft tissues of the tooth root, which includes blood vessels and nerves. For reasons that are still not fully understood, the body begins to break down dentin, which softens the tooth and causes a painful exposure of the root.
Because this erosion begins below the gum line, it may be impossible to identify an impacted tooth without a dental x-ray.
Signs are subtle, and usually include a cat suddenly showing a preference for soft food or swallowing cat food without chewing it.
Erosion can occur on one tooth or multiple teeth. Once diagnosed, the affected tooth must be extracted. This condition is very painful.
6- Fractions
Broken teeth are relatively often seen in cats. The most common fractures mentioned are at the tips of the teeth, often referred to as canines, although fractures of the premolars are also common.
In cats, the pulp tissue extends almost to the end of the tooth, which means that even small fractures can lead to drastic exposure to pain.
Mos lumbar dental fractures are caused by trauma to the oral cavity, although conditions such as dental erosion may also weaken the teeth and cause them to fracture.
Fractures above the gum line are visible to the naked eye, although some fractures may extend below the gum line. Broken teeth may also look gray.
Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture and the teeth involved and may involve the teeth on the outside or root canals.
It is important not to ignore a broken tooth. In addition to being extremely painful, open fractures can lead to abscesses, facial swelling, or systemic infection.
7- Cancer
Oral cavity cancer is the fourth most common cancer in cats.
Cancer can occur in the gums, lips, tongue, jawbone, or palate. Signs of oral cancer include lumps in the mouth, facial swelling, drooling, weight loss, sudden tooth loss, or bad breath.
While different types of cancer can be found in cats, squamous cell carcinoma makes up most of these lumps.
Early diagnosis is the key to the successful treatment of oral cancer, which can be very difficult to manage when larger masses begin to invade the bone.
Many lumps are found during a routine cleaning and oral examination while they are small and easy to manage, which is one of the many reasons why regular preventative care is so important.
Dental disease in cats can cause severe pain and discomfort, which can affect a cat's quality of life. In many cases, dental disease causes a cat to stop eating, which leads to a variety of health problems.
What are the signs of dental problems in cats??
- Yellow deposits on the teeth.
- Gums that bleed easily.
- red or swollen gums
- Bad breath.
- Pus around the tooth.
- Sensitivity around the mouth.
- scratch the face.
- Loose or missing teeth.
- Anorexia.
- Disturbances of the stomach or intestines.
- drooling;
- Difficulty chewing or eating.
- Irritability or depression.
- Loose or missing teeth.
- Age and general health - gum disease is most common in cats. Cats infected with feline leukemia virus . Or calicivirus has a much higher rate of periodontal disease.
- Diet and Chewing Behavior - Dried food is slightly better than canned food at preventing plaque build-up on the teeth. There are specialized diets available that contain ingredients to aid dental health and claim to help prevent plaque formation.
- Breeds, genetics, and dental alignment – Eastern shorthair and Siamese cats are affected more commonly than other cats, and evidence suggests that genetics may play a role, as some purebred cats are predisposed to the condition.
- Hygiene habits – buildup and ingrown hairs around the tooth can increase the development of plaque
- Home care - Regular brushing of your cat's teeth can greatly reduce the buildup of plaque and the development of tartar, which reduces the risk of gum disease and dental problems in cats.