Cat Dental Care

Dental disease is still one of the most common diseases in our cats. An oral examination is done at the annual exam and a home care plan is discussed. Sometimes home care just isn’t enough, and a dental cleaning and surgery may be required. Cats are great at hiding disease so watching for slight changes in eating behaviour such as chewing on one side, lack of interest in food, or dropping food while eating all could be signs of dental pain. We do offer complimentary dental exams to our patients as well.

What is involved in a dental cleaning procedure?

A dental cleaning procedure requires a general anesthetic in order to properly clean and assess the health of each tooth. Once your veterinarian ensures your pet is healthy to undergo anesthesia, we will use a probe to check each tooth for gum disease and cavities. X-rays may be required to ensure root health as well. Once the veterinarian and technician clean the teeth with our ultrasonic scaler, your cat’s teeth will be polished and then given an antibacterial treatment.

What are signs of dental problems in cats?

Cats are able to hide their sickness and pain so even subtle changes could indicate dental discomfort. If your cat chews on one side, drops food, has bad breath (which could also be signs of severe organ disease) or you see any changes in their eating habits, you should contact your veterinarian.

Are some breeds more susceptible than others?

Every cat is different. Their lifestyle and type of diet can play a role in dental disease. Every cat is susceptible to dental disease, therefore, yearly checkups are important.

What is feline tooth resorption?

Feline tooth resorption is another way of saying a cavity. Just like us, they can be very painful and should be treated.