Contrary to popular belief, animals need to have their teeth brushed and cleaned just like humans do. This includes pet cats. If you've never had your cat's teeth cleaned and don't brush them at home, they could be on their way to significant health problems. Take a look at these issues and then make an appointment to have your cat's teeth cleaned.
Dental Problems
Cats suffer from plaque and calculus buildup just like humans do, except that some cats don't get their teeth cleaned at all. Imagine if you never brushed your teeth — they would feel horrible and would probably have problems quite promptly. Cats are the same way.
When a cat doesn't have its teeth cleaned regularly, plaque and tartar can lead to the tooth developing a cavity and ultimately dying. Without treatment, this infection can potentially spread to the bones in the jaw, causing a serious and life-threatening condition without treatment.
Bacterial Blood Infections
If that weren't enough, you should also be aware that the bacteria responsible for plaque, tartar, and gum disease can also potentially migrate to the blood. All that needs to happen is for your cat's gums to open up enough from being damaged by the bacteria. That bacteria can then slip into your cat's capillaries and migrate into the bloodstream.
Possible Kidney Problems
Finally, while it's not a certainty yet, many vets and scientists now believe that there may be a link between poor oral health and kidney disease in cats. Kidney disease claims the lives of too many kitties, and is an incurable condition, so keeping it from happening in the first place is the best possible thing to do. The theory here is that the chronic inflammation caused by gum disease and bacteria infiltrating the bloodstream may cause the kidneys to become slowly damaged over time, ultimately making them diseased.
The good news is that all of this can be avoided just by bringing your cat in to the vet to have their teeth cleaned the same way that you go to a dentist. Simply go to your local pet hospital and ask them about dental cleanings for pets. Your cat will have their teeth thoroughly scaled and cleaned while under general anesthesia. If there are any teeth that are in bad shape, they will be extracted. And just like that, your kitty's oral health will be back in tip-top shape. With regular dental cleanings at the vet's office and teeth brushing at home, you can ensure that your cat has a healthy outlook on life.
