Expert Reveals How To Tell If Your Cat Has Dental Problems - More Serious Than You May Think

Dental disease is one of the most common problems to affect cats. Dental disease can be extremely painful, causing your cat to stop eating. It can also lead to infection and other serious health problems. Read below to find out what to look for.


1) Observe your cat when it eats. A cat with dental problems will have trouble chewing its food or may chew on only one side of its mouth. Take note if your cat refuses crunchy dry food or treats and primarily eats wet canned food. Your cat may also vomit soon after eating because it does not chew the food enough for proper digestion. If a cat has pain in its teeth, it will not want to chew very much and may even stop eating in extreme cases.

2) Smell your cat's breath. Wait until your cat is calm or sleepy and slip your finger into the side of its mouth to open it slightly. If you smell an unpleasant odor, your cat may have periodontal disease. Bad breath can indicate an infection of the gums due to a buildup of tartar. This condition can lead to tooth loss and other serious health problems if the infection spreads.

3) Feel the sides of your cat's mouth to check for swelling, irritation, redness or drool. If your cat paws at its mouth or drools excessively -- especially if the drool contains blood -- it can indicate a dental problem or infection. Your cat may also react to your touch with a yelp or other indication of pain. If your cat cannot close its mouth, it has a dental issue that requires examination by a veterinarian.

4) Inspect your cat's gums and teeth. If you see red or swollen gums, pus, brown or yellow deposits on teeth or exposed tooth roots along the gum line, your cat has a form of dental disease or gingivitis. Lift the lip on the sides of your cat's mouth to get a more detailed look at the teeth and gum line. Yellow or brown deposits indicate a buildup of plaque and tartar and require professional cleaning by a veterinarian. Use the flashlight and dental mirror to more closely inspect any suspicious areas in your cat's mouth.

5) Closely inspect your cat's teeth to check for black spots that indicate cavities or any broken teeth. Gently touch any teeth that appear loose to see if they move. Gingivitis can lead to a condition known as periodontitis, which leads to an infection of the tooth bed, loosening the tooth.

As you can tell, there is more to be concerned about than just bad breath or plaque build up. Dental hygiene should be taken a lot more serious than most do. I'm as guilty as anyone, I plan to take it more serious after reading this.

Source: http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_8090952_tell-cat-dental-problems.html

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