What should you pay attention to when caring for your cat's teeth?
Cat dental care requires attention to prevent the formation of diseases, such as plaque, tartar, cavities, and tooth resorption.
Problems to prevent: dental plaque
Dental plaque is a soft, transparent or milky-white adhesive substance on the surface of teeth. If not removed, minerals in saliva will cause it to turn into tartar. Tartar in cats can affect their appetite and digestion, leading to weight loss and weakened immunity. Tartar most commonly occurs on premolars, especially the upper premolars, and less frequently on molars and incisors. It can also occur on the buccal and labial surfaces, but is less common on the lingual and palatal surfaces. 
Common problem: tartar
Tartar is a breeding ground for bacteria, which cause inflammation. The bacteria that cause gum inflammation can enter a cat's bloodstream, leading to problems with the lungs, kidneys, liver, and heart. Therefore, early dental cleaning can prevent many serious problems later on.
In the early stages of tartar buildup in cats, there are no abnormal behaviors or eating habits. Only upon opening the mouth for examination can a layer of tartar, like rice grains, be seen on the upper premolars or other teeth. As the tartar gradually enlarges, causing gum damage and periodontitis, the cat or dog will experience reduced appetite due to pain while eating, will refuse hard foods, will drop food from its mouth while eating, and will drool and have a foul odor. At this stage, opening the mouth will reveal tartar of varying sizes on the premolars, red and swollen gums around the tooth roots, and teeth with severe tartar buildup may also be loose to varying degrees.
Common problem: Tooth decay
Feeding cats soft foods and canned food frequently can easily lead to tooth decay. These foods cause plaque to build up around the cat's teeth, which can lead to gingivitis. Bacteria can then enter the alveolar bone and cause periodontal disease. The result is loose teeth and necrosis of the dental nerve, at which point extraction becomes necessary.
When a cat has gingivitis, it will exhibit symptoms such as bad breath, drooling, loss of appetite, weight loss, and bleeding gums. In severe cases, the cat's mouth will be covered with ulcers and bleeding.
Common problem: Tooth resorption
The exact cause of tooth resorption is currently unknown. In our experience, once a cat is diagnosed with tooth resorption, there is a high probability that additional complications will develop. Therefore, monitoring these cats with dental X-rays to make an early diagnosis and alleviate their suffering is particularly important.
Cats are very good at masking their pain. Pet owners may notice increased plaque, inflamed gums, drooling, and changes in food preferences. Observe whether the gums are overgrown beyond the gum line or growing into the gums; whether there is excessive drooling, oral bleeding (bloodstains around the food or water bowl), inflamed gums, difficulty eating, or decreased food intake. A change from preferring hard cat food to soft, wet cat food may be a sign of oral discomfort. When brushing their teeth, pay attention to excessive plaque buildup; excessive plaque on one side may indicate that the cat is not chewing due to pain. In addition, missing or broken teeth are also signs of tooth resorption. Some cats with tooth resorption will show inflammation throughout their mouth.
Because the exact cause of tooth resorption cannot be determined, it is unlikely that it can be effectively prevented. A thorough oral examination, including endodontic exploration and dental X-rays, is the best approach to address this condition, enabling early detection and treatment.
