Insidious periodontitis: crept up unnoticed, left without a tooth

Inflammation processes in the oral cavity in cats negatively affect the entire functioning of the body. The process of chewing and further digestion of food deteriorates significantly, the body's defenses are weakened, and the load on the heart muscle increases.

A responsible, attentive cat owner should be aware of the number of teeth in the pet's mouth, know how to properly care for the pet's oral cavity, and also know when to seek advice from a veterinarian.

The cat's dental system is represented by the following types of teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines and 14 premolars. The period of replacement of milk teeth with permanent teeth ends on average by the age of eight months. It is important to note that if, when the cat reaches 12 months of age, it has not had a complete replacement of its teeth, the animal will suffer. Congenital anomaly of dental development - oligodontia, has a genetic predisposition, transmitted through generations. Such animals are discarded during breed selection and breeding.

Causes of dental disease in cats

Dental diseases in veterinary medicine have their own classification and vary in severity. There are a number of factors that negatively affect the normal physiological development of teeth in a cat. The main ones are:

• incorrect position of a row of teeth;
• dietary disorders;
• infectious diseases;
• lack of timely veterinary care for injuries and other pathologies developing in the cat’s oral cavity;
• changes in the qualitative composition of saliva and the ratio of beneficial and pathogenic microflora in the animal’s mouth (as a result, there is a risk of developing dangerous diseases);
• factor of genetic heredity (a number of cat breeds have been identified that have a predisposition to dental diseases).

Taking into account all these main factors, it is recommended to carefully carry out hygienic procedures for the cat’s oral cavity and monitor the diet so that non-soft food predominates in it. Cats with a genetic predisposition need to undergo preventive examinations by veterinarians once every six months.

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Growth on the gum: why it appears and how to treat

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Infectious diseases

Non-communicable diseases

Types of growth

Gum cancer

Lump after crown installation

Growth on the gum: how to treat

Which doctor should I contact if a growth appears on the gum?

Normally, the gums have a smooth, pale pink texture. Any change, be it a thickening or a growth, signals problems in the body that cannot be ignored, as they pose a health hazard. Why lumps appear on the gums and how to treat them, we will tell you in the article.

Symptoms of toothache in cats

The cause of dental disease in cats is a large number of external environmental factors and internal pathologies. Any attentive owner can notice the appearance of characteristic signs of problems in a pet’s teeth or gums. To do this, it is not necessary to look into the animal’s mouth. The main symptoms of the development of diseases in the oral cavity are:

• pronounced rubbing of the muzzle against furniture and things, while the animal does not show pleasure;
• the appearance of a repulsive odor from the mouth;
• gum hyperemia;
• discoloration of tooth enamel;
• display of aggression when the owner tries to look into the mouth;
• refusal to eat due to pain;
• increased secretion of salivary fluid.

Types of growth

New growths on the gums vary in shape, size, and method of formation.

• Angiomatous growth. A soft, bumpy, pink growth that grows very quickly. Often reappears after removal. This growth is diagnosed in children aged 10-12 years; as a rule, it does not occur in adults.
• A fibrous growth is a gum-colored lump. It grows slowly and does not cause pain, so patients are in no hurry to see a doctor.
• Giant cell growth. A rapidly growing neoplasm of red-blue color, from which serous fluid is secreted. The lump is easy to injure.

The most common dental diseases in cats

Pathological conditions of the cat's oral cavity are manifested by inflammatory processes in the gums, and also affect the tooth itself. The causes may be tooth decay, for example due to caries, as well as trauma to the muzzle and jaws. The most commonly diagnosed diseases of the teeth and gums are:

1. Tartar . Tartar is a layer with a porous structure. Pathology occurs when there are disturbances in feeding and untimely cleaning of plaque. As a rule, the stone forms in the base area, affecting the root and gum structures. The started process is characterized by complete coverage of the tooth body with a dense layer. resulting from untimely removal of dental plaque. Characteristic signs of the disease are a repulsive odor from the mouth, bleeding and itching in the gum area. The animal tries to make less effort when chewing solid particles of food due to the feeling of discomfort.
2. Plaque. A grayish-yellow film formed under the influence of a large number of bacterial microorganisms in the mouth, food residues and salivary fluid. At the first stages, it is not noticeable to the owner and is determined exclusively by a veterinarian using special diagnostic methods. With the development of the pathological process, the film thickens, plaque covers the entire area of ​​the tooth surface and, in the absence of hygienic procedures, turns into tartar. The formation of plaque on a cat’s teeth is determined by both genetic predisposition and an incorrect approach to feeding.
3. Caries . The process of decay, as a result of which parts of the tooth, and especially the enamel, are destroyed, forming a through cavity. There are many reasons for the appearance of pathology, but the main ones are a lack of mineral nutrients due to an unbalanced diet or disturbances in metabolic processes in the body. Various mechanical injuries with the formation of a wound surface and infection lead to the penetration of pathogenic bacteria and the development of putrefactive processes in the core of the tooth.
4. Odontogenic osteomyelitis . An inflammatory disease that damages the tooth, the soft tissue around it, the alveoli and even the bone marrow. The main cause of dental osteomyelitis in cats is advanced pulpitis, a complication of purulent processes (caries or periodontitis). Odontogenic osteomyelitis is characterized by hyperemia of the gums, pain when chewing food, edema and swelling of the muzzle. Often neglected odontogenic osteomyelitis is accompanied by the development of an abscess, with the further formation of fistulas through which purulent exudate can be released, and regional lymph nodes enlarge.
5. Periodontitis . A common disease often diagnosed in the clinical practice of veterinarians. With the development of periodontitis, the upper part of the tooth root is affected. It is diagnosed in cats after two years of age and often becomes chronic. The development of periodontitis occurs when plaque, caries, removal of molars, blows to the crown of the tooth, foreign objects stuck in the gums and not removed in a timely manner are not removed.
6. Gingivitis . An inflammatory process of a chronic nature that develops on the mucous membrane of the gums. The primary manifestations of the disease appear as a yellowish coating on the hard part of the tooth. This happens when food particles get stuck between the teeth. The tissue structures begin to become inflamed, hyperemic, bleeding and ulcerative lesions appear on the gums.
7. Tooth resorption . Pathology leading to gradual tooth loss and degenerative processes in the tissue structures around them. In veterinary sources, resorption is called odontoblastic resorptive lesion, developing from the gum area, destroying tooth tissue and replacing it with bone tissue. As a rule, premolars are affected, and then other teeth may be damaged. Resorption is not a contagious pathology, but when a tooth is lost, an infection of bacterial or fungal etiology can occur, which leads to purulent tissue lesions.

Diagnosis of pathology

If you notice alarming symptoms in your furry friend, you should be wary. These phenomena in a cat can be symptoms of both tartar and other dental diseases.

To make sure that the problem is indeed fossilized plaque, you can perform the following test. To do this, just moisten a cotton swab with Lugol's solution or iodine (5%) and rub your teeth with it, grabbing the gums adjacent to them. After performing this manipulation, the stone is clearly visible.

The plaque on the enamel may be removed after such a procedure, but the supragingival stones will remain and acquire a dark brown color. However, this method is suitable for identifying only supragingival stone. The subgingival calculus will be detected by the dentist during an examination.

It is best to entrust the diagnosis of the presence of tartar in a cat to a veterinary dentist. This is a narrow specialist with extensive experience. The examination is carried out using a special dental mirror: the mucous membrane of the cheeks and tongue is carefully checked for the presence of ulcers and lesions, and the condition of the teeth and gums is assessed.

Treatment of dental disease in cats

As a result of what has become the leading cause of dental disease in cats, the veterinarian selects individual treatment suitable exclusively for a particular animal.

If the cause of a cat’s dental problems is tartar, therapy is based on its complete removal. The optimal method of cleaning damaged tissue is selected, based on the severity and neglect of the degenerative process.

In the first stages of tartar formation, it is possible to eliminate it with the help of special gels or ointments. Advanced cases of plaque and tartar require anesthesia and removal of growths using ultrasonic equipment or a chisel.

Treatment for spotty and superficial caries involves treating the affected tooth with a special solution of sodium fluoride or silver nitrate. It is quite problematic to give a pet a full-fledged filling, so in the vast majority of cases of advanced caries, they are treated by removing the diseased tooth.

The initial stages of osteomyelitis can be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, sulfonamide medications and immunomodulatory drugs. More advanced cases of the development of dental osteomyelitis include surgical intervention under local or general anesthesia, opening of the resulting fistula, removal of purulent contents from the cavity and treatment with special antibacterial solutions.

Periodontitis can be treated by spraying the cat's mouth with disinfectant solutions. In the affected area, the tooth is treated with iodine-glycerin or a 5% alum solution. Treatment for gingivitis depends directly on the stage of neglect of the pathological process. Sick animals must undergo daily cleaning and treat the affected gums with medicinal ointments. Advanced cases require antimicrobial and hormonal therapy.

Removing stones at home

Weak and loose plaque can be removed independently. The most difficult thing in this matter is to cope with the cat, which clearly will not like this procedure.

Special treats and dry food

At the moment, pet supply stores offer a fairly wide range of special treats. The principle of their operation is to soften when exposed to saliva. The consistency of the hard treat becomes like plasticine. It is recommended to treat your pet to such a delicacy at least twice a week.

Veterinary feeds have a special composition and structure of granules. Unfortunately, they cannot remove tartar, but they can remove plaque.

Toys designed to clean a cat's mouth are impregnated with catnip. They have a rough surface that polishes the teeth when the cat bites into the item.

Veterinary wipes

There are many home remedies for removing tartar in cats. One of the most popular is veterinary wipes. Typically, they are soaked in a solution containing baking soda and peppermint.

Wipes have an antimicrobial effect and are also able to soften loose stone (at its initial stage). The principle of operation is very simple - take a napkin, wrap it around your finger and wipe your pet’s teeth.

Of course, it will not be possible to completely remove tartar at home, but this remedy has proven itself to be effective as a preventive measure.

Special means

You can try to remove tartar in cats using special products that soften the plaque and allow you to remove it with a brush or scaler. One of the most popular folk remedies is hydrogen peroxide. It can remove plaque from your teeth, but you must be careful not to touch your gums. Take a cotton swab, moisten it with peroxide and treat the tooth where plaque is visible.

To soften plaque, you can use a variety of gels, pastes and sprays from a veterinary pharmacy. They are applied to cats' teeth using a dispenser. Over time, the stone “moves away” from the tooth enamel.

Not all animals allow you to brush your teeth. In this case, liquids will help - you can add them in the form of drops to a bowl of water. There are also products for oral administration. Tartar under the influence of the product becomes porous, loosens, and can be easily removed from the surface of the teeth - just let the cat chew on a special treat or dry food.

Mechanical cleaning

You can remove plaque at home, but you need to have the skills to work with a scaler. The plaque is pre-softened with a special product from a veterinary pharmacy or hydrogen peroxide. You need to use peroxide as carefully as possible - you need to apply it so that it does not get on your gums. A cotton swab is generously moistened with the solution and applied to damaged teeth.

Next, the scaler is carefully passed from the base of the tooth, that is, from the gums, downwards, scraping off plaque. You need to be very careful not to damage the delicate mucous membranes. In this case, it is better to enlist the help of a relative: one will hold the cat, and the second will carry out the procedure.

After completing the manipulation, it is advisable to treat the pet’s mouth with a weak chamomile decoction. If you have never removed plaque yourself, you can consult a veterinarian about this.

Growth on the gum: how to treat

The treatment plan is developed by the doctor based on the nature of the growth, so in no case should you self-medicate. It is important to understand that if you do not contact a specialist in a timely manner, serious complications can arise.

If the cause is an infection, then it must be removed. In case of periodontal inflammation, professional oral hygiene is performed. If the cause is periodontitis and complicated pulpitis, then first the lump is opened and pus is pumped out of it, and then conservative or surgical treatment is carried out.

If there is no pain, for example, with epulis or ecostosis, then the decision about surgical intervention is made together with the patient.

Gum cancer

This dangerous neoplasm is worth highlighting separately. Mutation cells begin to divide uncontrollably, which is why a red tumor forms on the gum. The disease progresses quickly and over time can develop into jaw cancer.

What are the symptoms?

• General weakness;
• increased body temperature (37 C°);
• loss of appetite;
• constant drowsiness.

The doctor makes an accurate diagnosis after a detailed examination. As a rule, treatment is long and painstaking. With timely medical intervention, the outcome is favorable.