If the plaque film is removed mechanically daily, it does not progress beyond that stage. On the other hand, if the plaque is left undisturbed, it grows ever thicker. Within a few days, the mature plaque film can accumulate minerals from the saliva to form hard dental tartar.
While immature plaque can be fairly easily removed (toothbrush, special diets, appropriate chew treats), once it becomes mineralized to tartar, it is much harder to remove.

Regardless of any problems, your pet's teeth should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet's mouth healthy.

Have your pet's teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems:

• Bad breath
• Broken or loose teeth
• Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
• Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
• Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
• Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• Pain in or around the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

Some pets become irritable when they have dental problems, and any changes in your pet's behavior should prompt a call to our office.  

Feline Juvenile Gingivitis refers to inflammation of the gums following the eruption of a kitten's permanent teeth (around 6-7 months). While it is not a comm problem, we see it most in kittens of oriental breeds.

Kittens suffering from juvenile gingivitis have redness, swelling, and inflammation of their gum tissue (gingiva). The cause of this disease is not known, but an exaggerated inflammatory response to tooth eruption, abnormal activity of immune cells, and viral exposure (FIV, FeLV, Calicivirus) have all been proposed as triggers.

Untreated juvenile gingivitis can lead to juvenile periodontitis. When this occurs, the immune system goes into overdrive, attacking the teeth and gums and causing bone loss.

To have any chance of halting and controlling these conditions, aggressive and early intervention is required. If left untreated, they will rapidly progress to severe periodontal disease.
It is generally accepted that the susceptibility of patients to develop this condition (juvenile periodontitis) will often subside by two years of age.    

If you suspect your kitten is suffering from juvenile gingivitis, call us to set up an examination by one of our veterinarians. 

You can do a lot at home between professional dental care to help your pet maintain healthy teeth and gums. To keep your pet's teeth healthy, it takes daily care to remove plaque and professional care, as described above, to remove tartar and treat dental disease. So we can work together to keep your pet's teeth healthy.

1. Brush their teeth. Brushing your pet's teeth may seem extreme to some, but it is hugely beneficial for your pet. Try brushing your pet's teeth twice a day. You can find pet toothbrushes and toothpaste such as Virbac C.E.T toothpaste. It has different pet flavors, including poultry, seafood, and beef. Also, brushing a dog or cat's teeth differs from brushing your teeth. Here is an excellent video from the AVMA on how to brush your pet's teeth.
2. Use tooth wipes. Tooth wipes are a faster and easier solution than brushing your pet's teeth, although slightly less effective.
3. Give them dental treats/chews. There are many treats and chew toys that you can buy for your pet that help remove plaque and improve dental health.  

Another common dental problem is broken teeth. Chewing on hard toys and treats like antlers and bones can damage your dog or cat's teeth. A broken tooth can expose the tooth's nerve, which is very painful for your pet. Additionally, the exposed nerve can become infected and cause even more problems for your pet, possibly resulting in a need for tooth extraction. 

Your Friends at
Oak Creek Small Animal Clinic