As a pet owner, you are very concerned about the well-being and health of your cat. These velvety four-legged friends are particularly often affected by diseases in the mouth. Veterinarians assume that around three quarters of all cats suffer from dental diseases. In addition to FORL, cat caries, gingivitis is one of the most common dental diseases in cats. Gingivitis - its scientific name is gingivitis - usually begins with typical signs of inflammation such as redness and swelling and causes considerable pain for the animal. If left untreated, the inflammation can spread to the periodontal ligament and lead to tooth loss in the form of periodontitis. To prevent this from happening to your cat, good dental hygiene is also essential for four-legged friends.
How gingivitis develops in cats
Healthy teeth contribute significantly to the well-being of cats. Especially since every house cat, even if it comes along on four velvet paws, is first and foremost a predator. A look into your cat's mouth makes this clear. If your cat lets out a hearty yawn, the teeth are clearly visible. The conspicuous fangs and canines of cats are primarily designed for grabbing, killing and dismembering. While your cat may no longer be responsible for finding food independently when it is in your care, teeth are still vital for cats. Cats also need their teeth to care for their fur and claws. Young kittens are born toothless, and the first milk teeth break through at the age of three to four weeks. Cats develop their final set of teeth, which consists of 30 teeth, after the change of teeth at six to twelve weeks.
As with humans, after meals, food particles stick to the teeth of cats, where bacteria attach themselves. Plaque forms. Minerals in the cat's saliva cause the plaque to harden over time into tartar. Tartar is one of the main causes of gingivitis in cats. The bacteria that settle in plaque and tartar attack the gums and lead to painful inflammation. But some viral diseases such as leukemia, cat flu and FIV as well as injuries to the gums can also cause gingivitis in cats.
From gingivitis to periodontitis
If the gingivitis progresses without treatment, the inflammation will spread further in the cat's mouth. Periodontitis can develop, in which the cat's gum tissue is irreversibly destroyed. Receding gums, pockets under the teeth and exposed tooth necks are clear warning signs that the gingivitis is spreading to the periodontal ligament. As the inflammation progresses, it can then spread to the knee bone, the teeth lose their hold in the bone and are lost.
The bacteria from untreated gingivitis can also damage other organs via the blood. The causes of many heart, kidney and liver diseases are often tartar and plaque - a cause that is rarely associated with such a disease.
Detecting and Treating Gingivitis in Cats
Because cats cannot communicate, it is difficult for pet owners to recognize developing gingivitis in time. However, the animals do show symptoms that indicate gingivitis. If the cat's mouth smells unpleasant, this is usually a sure sign that the animal is suffering from gingivitis. Other symptoms include increased salivation, which may also contain blood, and drooling. If the cat allows a visual inspection, you can also recognize gingivitis by hard plaque and brown discolored teeth. If the cat refuses to eat and becomes increasingly thin, a visit to the vet is essential. In addition to untouched food, shaggy fur in a cat can also indicate gingivitis.
If gingivitis is discovered early, your cat's chances of being treated are good. During a professional dental cleaning, the vet can remove plaque and tartar. The cat is treated under general anesthesia. Your cat's gums then have the opportunity to recover from the inflammation. If the inflammation is already at an advanced stage and the tooth roots are already inflamed or destroyed, the teeth must be extracted. The vet will polish healthy teeth during dental treatment to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to form again. In most cases, antibiotics and cortisone are also administered.
How to prevent gum problems in cats
As an animal owner, you can do a lot to prevent gingivitis in your cat. The most important thing is to prevent your cat from developing tartar and plaque in the first place. The most effective method for this is good dental care, which involves brushing your cat's teeth regularly. This is particularly thorough and gentle with emmi®-pet, the world's first ultrasonic toothbrush for animals. With emmi®-pet, you can even brush your cat's teeth if your little four-legged friend already has sensitive and inflamed gums. The ultrasonic toothbrush cleans your cat's teeth without brushing - gently, painlessly - but still thoroughly. At the same time, the brush stimulates blood circulation in the tissue and encourages the cat to release its own body energy. In addition, unlike conventional toothbrushes for cats, the ultrasound also reaches the gums and gum pockets and can clean them thoroughly. Thanks to the ultrasound technology, the emmi®-pet works without noise and vibration, which is why cats are more likely to tolerate brushing. In this way, you can make an important contribution to your cat's dental hygiene and therefore health.
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