Feline Dental Care
Keeping your cat's teeth clean and healthy is one of the most important steps you can take when it comes to preventive health care. When your cat's teeth aren't clean, bad breath isn't the only problem your cat faces. Built-up plaque and tartar on your cat's teeth and gums can lead to periodontal disease, which results in bleeding, severe inflammation of the gums, alveolar bone loss (the bone that supports the tooth) and tooth mobility. As periodontal disease progresses, the bacteria can spread from the mouth, travel through the blood and cause damage to the liver, kidneys and heart. Periodontal disease is extremely common - more than 80% of cats have this problem by the time they reach four years of age; however, it is also preventable.
The Cat Hospital of Austin offers comprehensive dental cleanings and examinations. We use advanced dental radiology equipment to better diagnose your cat's dental health. If tartar has formed on your cat's teeth, a routine dental cleaning is necessary. Dental cleanings are vastly different for your cat than they are for you. A cleaning requires general anesthesia and a day's hospitalization.
Your cat's dental cleaning begins with a physical examination, in order to evaluate his or her general health. Next, your cat is given an anesthetic for a safe and painless sleep during the dental cleaning. Tartar is removed from your cat's teeth with a hand scaler. Next, a periodontal probe checks for pockets under the gumline where periodontal disease and bad breath begin. An ultrasonic scaler is used to clean above the gumline, while a curette cleans and smoothes the teeth under the gumline in the crevices. Next, your cat's teeth are polished, creating a smooth surface. Finally, the gums are washed with an anti-bacterial solution to help delay tartar build-up, both under the gumline and on the crown of the tooth.
Proper dental care doesn't end when your cat leaves the hospital. Brushing your cat's teeth is an excellent way to ensure between hospital visits your cat's teeth, gums and mouth are healthy. The staff at the Cat Hospital of Austin can show you the proper method of brushing your cat's teeth. Annual veterinary dental care along with home dental care can help keep your cat's breath fresh and gums and teeth healthy.