Articles

Why

Good dental health is an important factor in your cat's overall physical condition and well-being. Painful teeth and gums can be detrimental to nutrition, overall health, and quality of life. The long-term consequences of poor dental hygiene in cats include:

• Bad breath, often a symptom of dental disease
• Dental abscesses and tooth loss due to periodontal disease
• Pain from infected teeth and gums
• Systemic infection starting in the teeth and gums and possibly spreading—via the bloodstream—to your cat's kidney, liver, heart or lungs
• Expense of repeated dental treatments, anesthesia, extractions and surgery

The good news is that by caring for your cat's teeth on a daily basis, you can greatly reduce or even eliminate such problems.

How

First, it's always smart to bring your cat to your veterinarian for an initial dental health assessment. Your cat may need a professional cleaning before you start a home care regimen. Your veterinarian can also advise you about your cat's dental risk factors, products you should use, and even show you how to brush your cat's teeth.

Once you get the go-ahead from your veterinarian, the next step is finding products that work well for your cat. Be patient, as this can require some trial and error.

• Cat toothbrush—There are a variety of cat toothbrushes on the market. Look for one with a small, angled head and soft bristles. There are even toothbrushes that fit over your finger. These give better control but with one trade-off: Their soft latex bristles may be less effective at mechanically removing tartar. Do not attempt to use a human toothbrush.
• Cat toothpastes—Use dental products only made for cats. Do not use human toothpaste. The strong flavorings are very unappealing to cats, and the fluoride and other ingredients, if swallowed, could be harmful. Cat toothpastes are safe to swallow (since animals don't rinse) and made in yummy flavors like chicken, fish, tuna, and beef. Some contain enzymatic agents to help loosen tartar.
• Dental-healthy treats—while not a substitute for brushing, some dental treats can help reduce the rate of tartar buildup. Give these treats to your cat as rewards and also for dental hygiene. Not all over-the-counter dental treats are created equal. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Follow these steps to polish those pearly whites:

1. Get your cat get used to your fingers around and eventually touching his/her mouth. If this is new to your cat, you may need to proceed at a very gradual pace.
2. Acclimate your cat to the toothpaste and brush. Start by letting your cat lick the toothpaste off your fingers. Next time, use your cat toothbrush and, again, encourage your cat to lick the toothpaste off the brush. At this point, your cat may even look forward to this yummy habit, so it's not a bad idea to brush your cat's teeth around the same time every day.
3. When it's time for the real thing, position your cat on a counter or your lap, hugging gently with your forearms so as to minimize squirming and maximize access to the mouth. Start by lifting your cat's upper lips and slide the brush in a fine circular motion along the gum line. Focus on front teeth first, back teeth if you can, uppers first, then lowers. Brush outside tooth surfaces only (if you want to keep your fingers, that is) because cats don't build up much tarter on the inside surfaces of their teeth. As you and your cat become more comfortable with the procedure, work towards reaching the upper back molars. This is usually where plaque builds up the most. This should take about one minute once you and your cat get the routine down.
4. Follow every session with enthusiastic praise, petting, and/or playtime—whatever your cat appreciates—and possibly a dental-healthy treat. Reward your cat no matter how far you get. Over time this will become a habit; something that you and your cat can even enjoy—and smile about.

For more tips and a great video tutorial on brushing your cat's teeth, go to http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/pet/fhc/brushing_teeth.