What is periodontitis in cats?
A disease of the periodontium is referred to in medical terms as periodontitis or periodontal disease. The consequences include, among others, loose teeth and tooth loss. The cause of periodontitis is untreated gum inflammation. This, in turn, is often due to poor dental and oral hygiene.
Cause: What causes periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a result of bacterial plaque and tartar. The bacteria destroy mainly the gingival pockets, which are responsible for holding the teeth in place. The inflammation can also spread to the tooth and lead to a painful abscess. In severe cases, inflammation-related loss of jawbone can also occur.
A very simple way to prevent dental problems and gum inflammation is to feed the →right cat food. Unnecessary additives such as sugar and grains can promote the formation of plaque on the teeth. That’s why at Pets Deli we use only high-quality meat combined with select fruits and vegetables.
Our cat food: honest, healthy, delicious.
Symptoms: How can you recognize periodontitis in cats?
An unpleasant odor from the mouth is one of the most common reasons why owners of cats with periodontitis visit a veterinary practice. Other symptoms may include:
strong mouth odor
visible plaque
tartar
refusal of hard chew snacks and toys
susceptibility to infections
Overall, periodontitis also affects the general health of your cat, as chronic inflammation puts a strain on your cat’s immune system. In addition, dangerous plaque bacteria can enter the body and organs.
Plaque and tartar often lead to severe inflammation in your cat’s mouth, including periodontitis.
Diagnosis and treatment
Since periodontal diseases are hidden below the gum line, they are difficult to detect with the naked eye. This is also one of the reasons why the disease often goes undetected for so long. To identify periodontitis, special tools from veterinarians are necessary. For this reason, if you suspect it, you should quickly visit a veterinary practice. There, with the help of a periodontal probe and X-rays, a periodontal disease is diagnosed.
The treatment is usually performed under anesthesia. First, visible plaque and tartar are removed. Then the cleaning of the non-visible area below the gum line is carried out. Finally, a polish and rinse of the gingival pockets is performed. In very advanced stages of the disease, tooth extraction may be unavoidable.
How you can effectively prevent periodontitis in your cat
Loose teeth and tooth loss are often attributed to the natural aging process of your cat. In many cases, however, the cause is poor dental hygiene. This leads to serious diseases such as periodontitis.
Daily tooth brushing is the most effective method to prevent plaque and tartar in your cat and help her maintain long-lasting, worry-free dental health. A professional periodontal treatment is only permanently successful if owners are also willing to continue regular dental cleaning at home. There are no medications to prevent the disease. However, you can have your cat’s teeth professionally cleaned by your veterinarian, for example as part of an annual routine check-up.
