At Riverview Animal Health Centre, we take your pets dental health very seriously. Did you know that by the age of two 8 out 10 cats have periodontal disease? That is because as pet owners, we often forget to look in our pet’s mouth, and when we do what we see is often just the tip of the iceberg. Our team is trained to ensure your pet’s dental health examined at each yearly visit. That way we can help prevent the problems before they start.
What is involved in a dental cleaning procedure?
Oral health is important as the mouth is the window to the rest of the body. There is a lot of bacteria in your cat mouth, which could eventually lead to tartar build up. This creates a pocket between their gums and their tooth, which provides bacteria with a direct route to the bloodstream. When your cat has a dental cleaning done, it is very similar to how your teeth are cleaned, except cats need to go under anesthetic to have the procedure done. Large tartar is removed, and then the teeth are cleaned and polished. All teeth are then graphed with the veterinarian and examined for disease.
What are signs of dental problems in cats?
Signs and symptoms of dental problems include drooling, pawing at the mouth, difficulty eating, redness around the gums or bleeding, and bad breath.
Are some breeds more susceptible than others?
All breeds of cats are susceptible to dental disease, however, some purebreds do appear to be particularly predisposed. Abyssinian cats are most notoriously affected.
What is feline tooth resorption?
Feline tooth resorption is the most common cause of dental problems in cats. It occurs when the denton (the inside, middle of the tooth) becomes destroyed, similar to a cavity in humans.
