Gum Disease In Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment Options
Cats develop gum disease when there's a build-up of bacteria in their mouth. Bacteria combine with food debris to form plaque, which sticks to the gum line and damages tooth enamel. Your cat's white blood cells recognise plaque as a foreign invader and launch an attack on it, which creates inflammation around the affected teeth. This inflammation can damage delicate gum tissue and lead to dental abscesses when the gum line recedes and bacteria infect your cat's soft tooth pulp and roots. Here's an overview of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for this painful condition:
Symptoms
Symptoms of gum disease in cats include the following:
- Swollen gums
- Difficulty eating hard food, and gums may bleed after eating
- Bad breath
- Pain, which your cat may communicate by pawing at their mouth
Diagnosis And Treatment
Your vet will diagnose gum disease by examining your cat's mouth for signs of inflammation and tissue damage. They will use a dental probe to check for spaces between the gum line and your cat's teeth, which will allow them to determine if your cat's gums have started to recede. X-rays may also be required if your vet suspects there may be damage to the roots of your cat's teeth. Your vet will recommend a treatment approach based on the current condition of your cat's gums and teeth.
As a first step, the vet will scrape away the plaque around your cat's gum line to prevent further damage and reduce the levels of bacteria in their mouth. If there's any sign of infection, your cat will require a course of antibiotics to kill the offending bacteria. Once this is taken care of, if the gum disease was in the early stages, your cat may not need any further treatment. Your vet may recommend they have a fluoride gel coating applied to their teeth as a protective measure, as it's difficult for plaque to stick to the strong barrier created by this gel.
If gum disease has left your cat with gaps between their gum tissue and teeth due to their gums receding, your vet may recommend pocket reduction surgery. This involves the gum tissue being lifted and resealed in the correct place and prevents bacteria being able to attack your cat's tooth pulp and roots. If your cat's teeth are severely decayed due to plaque damage, or if their gum tissue is damaged beyond repair, they may have to have those teeth extracted. This approach may not be the outcome you'd like for your cat, but it will resolve their pain.
If your cat has any of the symptoms of gum disease, or if you'd simply like them to have a dental examination, book a consultation with your vet as soon as possible.