| How many of you forget to check the inner recess | | | | the built up of plaque. In advanced cases, the |
| of your cat's mouth regularly? According to vets in | | | | hardened tartar can be removed only by descaling, |
| United States and Canada most pet owners don't | | | | which has to be done by a vet under general |
| check regularly. Because of this, most cat dental | | | | anesthetic. In very severe cases certain surgical |
| problems come to the attention of a vet only in | | | | procedures might also be recommended. |
| advanced stages when symptoms like difficulty in | | | | Gingivitis - Stomatitus |
| eating becomes obvious. Periodontal and Gingivitis are | | | | Gingivitis is a localized inflammation of gums and |
| the two most common diseases that affect cat | | | | stomatitus is the general inflammation of the gums in |
| dental health. | | | | the entire mouth. Both these dental conditions |
| Periodontal Disease | | | | generally occur simultaneously and called as |
| Sooner or later most cats are affected by this | | | | gingivitis-stomatitus. Though this disease is most |
| disease. Symptoms include bad breadth, inflammation | | | | often acute and sudden, many cats are affected by |
| and reddening of gums, receding gums, deposits on | | | | chronic gingivitis-stomatitus, treatment for which is |
| the teeth that might be brown or yellow in color, | | | | complicated and very difficult. |
| drooling saliva sometimes with traces of blood, | | | | Symptoms for this dental disease in cats is similar to |
| difficulty to eat or chew, loss of appetite and weight | | | | the symptoms of the periodontal disease including |
| loss. | | | | bad breadth, inflamed and reddened gums, inability to |
| Causes for periodontal disease in cats are varied and | | | | chew or eat comfortably, decreased appetite and |
| builds up slowly, starting from the day the teeth | | | | weight loss. |
| came through. Every day plaque gets deposited on | | | | Causes for gingivitis-stomatitus include chemical |
| the teeth and the amount of plaque that remains on | | | | irritation, viral infections and traumatic injury. It can |
| the teeth mostly depends on the diet. While some | | | | also be caused by existing conditions like diabetes |
| believe that dry foods will help clean up the teeth, it | | | | mellitus or chronic renal failure. When periodontal |
| is not a proven fact. | | | | disease is left untreated for long it can develop into |
| Over time, the soft plaque will harden to form tartar | | | | gingivitis-stomatitus. |
| or calculus which is difficult to remove. Plaque | | | | Treatment for gingivitis-stomatitus is complicated and |
| contains bacteria which causes inflammation in the | | | | difficult. Chronic condition of this disease is extremely |
| gums. If left unattended, gums will start to recede, | | | | painful. You should consult your vet immediately if |
| loosening the teeth and eventually leads to loss of | | | | your pet exhibits any of the symptoms. Since the |
| teeth. Some of the factors that help promote this | | | | causes are numerous diagnoses can be difficult. If the |
| disease are overcrowding of teeth, retained milk | | | | exact causes are known then your vet might |
| teeth, infection and genetics. | | | | recommend a specific treatment. Otherwise, a |
| Periodontal disease develops gradually and it can be | | | | general treatment regimen will be recommended to |
| cured by timely detection and proper treatment. | | | | control the symptoms which might include antibiotics |
| Treatment for mild cases of this disease might be as | | | | and anti-inflammatory drugs like steroids. The only |
| simple as regular brushing with special toothbrush and | | | | way to prevent and keep your cat dental problems |
| toothpaste that your vet might recommend to stop | | | | in check is to follow a regular cat dental care routine. |