By the time I noticed my cat Sigmund pawing at his mouth and avoiding his food bowl, it was already too late. One whiff of his death breath confirmed that Siggy was in dire need of a dentist.
It’s not uncommon for a 6-year-old cat like Siggy to already exhibit the stinky telltale signs of advanced dental disease. Statistics reveal that about 85% of cats develop periodontal disease by this age, which can manifest as cavities, infections, broken teeth, or abscesses. Even more concerning, Siggy’s smelly breath might mean he was already experiencing kidney, liver, or heart problems related to poor oral health.
Luckily, I got Siggy an appointment at Community Cat Clinic right away, and the expert team there confirmed that while he did need a serious cleaning and some antibiotics, nothing more extreme was going on. I learned my lesson, though. Siggy will now be getting annual oral exams, x-rays, and cleanings just like I do.
Staying Ahead of Dental Disease
Community Cat Clinic is dedicated to every aspect of your cat’s health, and that includes providing both preventative care and more advanced treatments for teeth and gum issues. The first line of defense against cat dental disease is a regular cleaning schedule to avoid tartar buildup.
Bacteria in a cat’s mouth leads to plaque formation on teeth. Without regular cleanings, this plaque hardens into tartar that can coat the teeth and reach below the gum line, where it can cause gingivitis (inflamed gums) and periodontitis (loss of bone and soft tissue around teeth). This increases the risk of infection and damage to the jawbone and tooth-supporting tissues.
While you are encouraged to brush your cat’s teeth at home (and can learn how to do so in this video), even the best at-home care routines aren’t enough to protect every cat from developing dental and gum issues. Community Cat Clinic highly recommends an annual oral exam to look for obvious signs of trouble (loose teeth, infected gums) in your cat’s mouth. This regular procedure may also include additional bloodwork to see if oral or periodontal disease is causing problems in other areas of the body such as the liver or kidneys.
The team will take digital x-rays during the exam to see below the surface of the gum line, identify any tooth root concerns, and guide surgical procedures to remove teeth or do other work.
Your cat will be sedated during the exam and x-rays, as well as for the actual cleaning and any more invasive procedures that might be necessary like tooth extractions or gum surgery. While some clinics offer cleanings without sedation, the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) emphasizes the necessity of anesthesia for a pain-free experience and thorough examination of the teeth, including the removal of tartar below the gums. Additionally, modern anesthesia is very safe, with minimal risk to your cat.
Contact Community Cat Clinic at the Woodstock or Duluth location to get more information about the dental services they offer, find out details about pricing, and schedule an appointment.
