Problems in gums and teeth are quite common in cats. Some studies have found that almost 90 percent of cats have some type of dental issue. The good news is that these common types of problems are preventable and treatable. By following the right preventive dental care, pet owners can help keep their kitty from losing their teeth.
Gingivitis
Just like human beings, cats too can suffer from a common condition which is known as gingivitis where the gums around the cat’s teeth become inflamed. This mainly happens because a coating builds up in the area containing bacteria is called plaque.
This plaque must be removed regularly, else, the plaque will move towards the base of the cat’s tooth, near the gum. The immune system then responds to the bacteria and thus causes inflammation, which is gingivitis.
Some studies have found that when the bacteria shift from normal to harmful, gingivitis can begin. If the cat’s teeth are too crowded, then the plaque starts to accumulate. The good news is that timely oral care for the cat can help to prevent and reverse the harmful condition.
The experienced vet can clean the plaque from your pet’s teeth and prescribe an antibiotic that will help in killing the bad bacteria that are there on the teeth. In more advanced stages or in adverse stages of gingivitis, the infected teeth sometimes need to be removed which can be prevented by regularly visiting the vet for oral cleaning.
Periodontitis
If you are not able to control the cat’s gingivitis, it can further cause periodontitis, also known as gum disease. In worse cases, if periodontitis is not treated quickly, then it may not be possible to reverse. During this condition, the tissues that attach the cat’s teeth to the gums become weak. The bacteria and inflammation from the cat’s immune system can further produce damaging substances that can further attack the gum tissue.
The tissues that support the teeth and which attach them to the bone gets damaged and resulting in tooth loss. Uncontrolled gingivitis is the result of this kind of condition. The experienced vet can clean the teeth and remove the teeth that are highly infected. The cat parents must be aware that these conditions can be painful, which can result in a decrease in the cat’s diet and which may further cause issues for your kitty’s health.
Tooth Reabsorption
Tooth reabsorption is a disease when the tissue inside the tooth begins to break down. This problem progresses to the other parts of the tooth and it is a common cause of tooth loss in cats, affecting around 30 to 70 percent of cats.
The vet may notice any pink defect in the kitty’s tooth where the gums and teeth meet. When the defect shows up, the tooth during that time is already damaged and during this time the condition becomes painful, so, when you notice that your cat is unwilling to eat or turning its head to the one side immediately reach your local vet. The treatment involves managing the cat’s pain and preventing the condition from continuing further.
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