Tartar in cats

Tartar in cats

What causes tartar
Occurs when the plaque tartar petrified under the influence of saliva. Dental plaque is almost across the mouth of the cat before, so scaling can occur anywhere at any tooth. But especially where the salivary glands in the mouth of the cat sitting is the greatest accumulation of tartar. The speekeselklieren are among others to the back of the lower incisors and the big choice. Plaque itself is not harmful to teeth. But because plaque has a rather rough surface, bacteria can easily settle there. This is gingivitis gum pulls back and teeth can rot and fall out. In the worst case, the bacteria through the small blood vessels in the teeth spread in the body and cause problems with the kidneys, liver, spinal discs and heart valves. Tartar is a serious problem and should be treated.

Symptoms of tartar
Dental plaque is generally easy to recognize and then there are also a number of symptoms.

* Kat smells from his mouth
* Brown or yellow attack on the edges of the teeth and gums
* Inflamed gums (red edges at the gum
* Gums are retired, you see the root surfaces
* Kat has no appetite
Kat * drools a lot (possibly with mucous blood)
* Kat has difficulty chewing
* The mouth can not be closed
* Pain in the mouth (Cat rubs with the leg along the mouth, or rubbing the beak on the ground)


Treatment against tartar
If the cat once tartar is detected, it must be eliminated. This chemical can not happen, because it solves because the teeth on. The plaque should be removed in a mechanical way. A little bit of tartar is usually (if the cat to leave) immediately removed with a tongue scraper. Many tartar get the cat a light anesthesia. With special equipment (drills and ultrasonic devices) become all teeth cleaned and examined whether there is any holes and rotten teeth are. Possibly there are also X-ray pictures of the teeth, to see whether the roots and jaw were no ignitions. If everything is checked and cleaned, the teeth are polished with a polishing drill.

Prevent tartar
The best course is to prevent tartar. Unfortunately this is not feasible. But of course you can do as much as possible to prevent tartar. The best is the cat to brush your teeth. Unfortunately, most cats that nothing and they will not allow it. Do you have a cat from childhood, then you have to get used to it. Give your cat as much as possible and preferably soft food only hard food. By properly chewing hard food, chewing them say their tartar away. There are even special pieces for sale with many fibers the plaque, as it were, the choice and buck teeth. This also provides food for additional enzymes that counteract the plaque. Finally, your cat regularly checked by the vet. Let it immediately if your cat do his annual check and get immunizations. If you prevent problems and keep your cat to old age, healthy teeth.