According to some recent reports, two-thirds of cat owners do not regularly clean their pet’s teeth. However, proper dental care is just as important for cats as it is for humans.

Good dental health is essential to ensure the overall health of your beloved feline. Poor dental health can affect your cat’s ability to chew their food or hunt. In addition, teeth are a crucial toolset for cats to help protect themselves if they find themselves caught in a quarrel.

And just as equally important, securing comprehensive cat health insurance plan and routinely visiting your local vet will help your maintain your cat’s pearly whites.

Is there any link between dental care and general health?

Dental health is relative to the overall wellbeing of not just us humans but also of our pets. Studies have proven that dental health is a necessity, as periodontal disease is one of the most common dental problems found in cats. It is estimated that 8 in 10 cats over the age of three have some degree of periodontal disease.

To understand the situation's graveness, you must know that periodontal disease is irreversible and should be avoided at all costs. Early diagnosis of the disease might help you control it, and you would require a veterinary dentist to deal with this specific issue. Treatment can be expensive but necessary.

It is highly recommended that you find the best pet medical insurance for your pet's best care. Also, since early symptoms of the disease are minimal, regular check-ups with your vet may be necessary to keep this devastating disease at bay.

Once the disease progresses, your cat may experience: severe pain, tooth loss, and prolonged infection.

These infections quickly enter your cat’s bloodstream and affect other vital organs putting your pet in significant danger. Causing a range of chronic and severe general health problems, we should not forget that it all started with a common dental problem.

You can avoid dental disease by securing comprehensive medical insurance, paired with regular cleaning and visits to the vet.

Telling signs your cat may have a dental problem.

Here are some common symptoms your cat may be displaying if they are experiencing any dental problem.

-        Yellow, brown, or discolored teeth

-        Bad breath

-        Teeth that look damaged or broken

-        Swollen gums

-        Infection of the mouth, jaw, or face

-        Drooling or discharge from the mouth

-        Loss of appetite

-        Pain

-        Tooth loss

In case your cat is showing one of these symptoms, make an appointment immediately with your vet for an examination. Early detection can ease your cat's pain and slow down advanced development of the disease. 

Importance of brushing your cat’s teeth

Your best line of defense is brushing your cat's teeth regularly. It is vital to commit to brushing your feline’s teeth once a week to ensure a healthy mouth and prevent the development of the periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease and tooth decay can be directly attributed to the accumulation of plaque on the teeth, and it needs to be brushed away. The bacteria in the plaque can produce acid that erodes the teeth and cause infection in the gums.

You can choose to go for a proper dental appointment, and some pet insurance plans will cover the cost. 

Will brushing the cat's teeth be difficult?

It is understandable to think that your cat would be irritated when you bring a toothbrush near.

Cats get irritated easily but they are also animals that love all the attention they receive. Moreover, when you brush their teeth regularly, they often will become used to it, making the task more manageable.

You can take proper training from your vet to learn the right way. Videos on YouTube are a good starting point to become familiar with how to go about brushing your cat’s teeth.

Ideally, it would be best if you started cleaning your feline’s teeth when their adult teeth begin come in. Use a toothbrush with a small head to ensure you can maneuver comfortably inside their mouth. In addition, the toothpaste you use should be cat friendly.

Some toothpaste products contain harsh chemicals causing severe illness in cats. We recommend using  a cat toothpaste that is chicken flavored, as there’s no denying they’ll more than likely love the taste and open up wide for each brushing!