Luckily for cats who have already developed gingivitis, the condition is usually reversible. If a cat has severe gingivitis, tooth brushing can be quite painful, so consult with a veterinarian before considering brushing the teeth of a cat with gingivitis. While some cats require gradual introduction before they will allow regular tooth brushing, most cats can eventually be trained to accept this preventive measure. It is important to use only tooth gel or toothpaste designed specifically for cats, as human products can be toxic to cats. The best way to prevent gingivitis in cats is to regularly remove plaque build-up by tooth brushing (see Figure 1). In some cases, cats with gingivitis will show a preference for soft foods. Depending upon the severity of the gingivitis, cats may be hesitant to eat, may turn their heads unusually while eating, may stop eating, drool, or develop bad breath (halitosis). Gingivitis is characterized by swelling, redness, discomfort, and, in severe cases, bleeding where the gums and the teeth meet (the gingival margin). When caused by one of these systemic diseases, gingivitis may be accompanied by inflammation or sores in other parts of the pink mucous lining of the mouth, a condition known as stomatitis. ![]() Gingivitis may also be brought on by a number of infectious or systemic diseases, including feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline calicivirus, severe kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and autoimmune disease. If the cat’s immune response to these disease-causing bacteria is strong, he or she will develop gingivitis, but it is also possible the cat’s immune system will tolerate the bacteria without any detrimental effects on either. This allows the bacteria access to the connective tissue below the teeth where the cat’s immune system will probably react by making the gums inflamed and painful. It is not the calculus itself that promotes an inflammatory response, but rather the bacteria that attach to the calculus.ĭisease-causing bacteria that accumulate on and below the gums produce substances that damage the cells that form a barrier between the gums and the teeth. Calculus provides a rough surface that disease-causing species of bacteria can attach to. When plaque becomes hardened by absorbing minerals from both the saliva and from the gingiva itself, it is referred to as calculus or tartar. Tooth crowding and insufficient oral health care may contribute to plaque accumulation. Some researchers believe that the onset of gingivitis may be caused by a shift in the populations of bacteria in plaque from normal, healthy species, to disease-causing species. Eventually, plaque will migrate below this point to the subgingival region, where a cat’s immune system may mount a response to these bacteria, resulting in the inflammation that we refer to as gingivitis. If not regularly removed, plaque migrates deeper toward where the gingiva meets the base of the tooth. In cats with good oral health, the bacteria that live in this film are believed to be beneficial, and the plaque that harbors them accumulates above the line where the base of the teeth meets the gums (gingiva). This inflammation is usually the result of a process that begins with the buildup of plaque, a film that harbors bacteria, on the teeth. Gingivitis is a condition in which the gums around the teeth become inflamed (red, swollen, and painful). In many cases, dental disease causes a cat to stop eating, which leads to a variety of health problems. Dental disease in cats can cause serious pain and discomfort, which can impact a cat’s quality of life. The three most common dental diseases in cats are gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth resorption, and the severity of each of these conditions can vary significantly. ![]() Studies report that between 50 and 90% of cats older than four years of age suffer from some form of dental disease, but fortunately the most common forms of these diseases are largely preventable or treatable with appropriate preventive dental care and monitoring. Diseases of the teeth and gums are common in cats.
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