What Is Feline Periodontal Disease? A Vet Explains Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

It is said that many cats suffer from some form of oral trouble.

Among these, periodontal disease is extremely common, and data even exists showing that 70% of cats up to 2 years old have periodontal disease. If left untreated, feline periodontal disease can prevent them from eating and may even become life-threatening.

In this article, we will explain feline periodontal disease.

What is the cause of feline periodontal disease?

First, let's explain the structure of a cat's teeth.

A cat's teeth are supported by the periodontium. The periodontium consists of the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, and cementum. There is a slight groove between the tooth and the gum, which is called the "periodontal pocket."

When plaque and tartar accumulate in the periodontal pocket, inflammation occurs in the periodontal tissue. This inflammation is called "gingivitis."

Cats are said to be less prone to cavities but more prone to periodontal disease. While the human mouth is weakly acidic, a cat's mouth is alkaline. An alkaline environment makes it difficult for cavity-causing bacteria to develop but makes it easier for periodontal bacteria to thrive. Furthermore, cat saliva contains almost no amylase, which breaks down starch into sugar, so sugar does not easily accumulate in the mouth, creating an environment where sugar-feeding cavity bacteria struggle to grow. For this reason, cats are less prone to cavities and more prone to periodontal disease.

Most feline periodontal disease is caused by the accumulation of "plaque" (made from food debris, etc.) in the periodontal pockets, where bacteria then multiply.

When plaque accumulates, it combines with minerals in the saliva to form tartar. Tartar is very hard and cannot be removed by brushing alone. While it takes about 20 days for tartar to form in humans, it turns into tartar in about 7 days in cats.

As tartar accumulates, inflammation gradually occurs in the gums. The gums become red and bleed easily. The teeth may also become loose.

If it progresses further, it reaches a state known as pyorrhea; the roots of the teeth and the bone supporting the teeth dissolve, causing the teeth to fall out. This condition is also called periodontitis.

As periodontal inflammation intensifies, it becomes painful. This can lead to a loss of appetite, and if not treated properly, it can even lead to death.

While periodontal disease can occur in healthy cats, it also occurs—and becomes difficult to treat—in cases of infectious diseases like feline AIDS or feline leukemia, which lower the cat's immune system.

What are the symptoms of feline periodontal disease?

Symptoms of periodontal disease include loss of appetite or an inability to drink water due to the pain caused by inflammation. Because of the pain, they may also dislike having their face touched.

They may also start drooling foul-smelling saliva. Because they use their front paws to scratch around their mouths, it is common to see their fur matted with saliva.

If it worsens further, the entire face may swell up, or the bone may dissolve, causing a hole to form under the eye.

Periodontal disease is caused by bacterial infection. It is said that in gums affected by periodontal disease, blood vessels expand due to inflammation, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream and affect various organs in the body, such as the kidneys, heart, and joints.

How is feline periodontal disease treated?

The main treatments for feline periodontal disease are tartar removal, extraction, and medication. Let's explain each of these.

Tartar removal

The cause of feline periodontal disease is plaque and tartar in the periodontal pockets. Therefore, it is important to remove plaque and tartar under general anesthesia. Tartar removal requires general anesthesia and is performed using a machine called a scaler. After tartar removal, the teeth are rough and become prone to tartar buildup again, so they are polished with abrasive paste and coated. Because tartar removal is painful, it must be performed thoroughly under general anesthesia. Some salons may advertise "anesthesia-free" dental cleaning, but you cannot remove tartar without anesthesia. Dental procedures should be performed at a veterinary clinic where anesthesia can be administered.

Extraction

If gingivitis has progressed, inflamed gum tissue may be excised or removed. Also, if the teeth are in a state of pyorrhea and the roots are rotting, they will be extracted. If teeth that require extraction are left in place, the jaw bone itself may rot, potentially leading to a mandibular fracture.

Medication

Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are used before and after surgeries such as tartar removal or extraction. Also, many pet owners are resistant to surgery. In such cases, management with anti-inflammatory drugs or interferon preparations may be used.

How to prevent feline periodontal disease

Preventing feline periodontal disease requires dental care, just as it does for humans. Here is an explanation of effective methods.

Brushing

Brushing is the most important part of feline dental care. It is especially necessary to prevent the re-attachment of tartar after it has been removed. However, brushing a cat's teeth is very difficult, and if you try to force it, they may never let you do it again. Start by practicing touching around their mouth, and give them a treat if they succeed.

It is best to use a toothbrush. The bristles reach into the periodontal pocket to scrape out plaque. Also, as air enters the pocket, it creates an environment where periodontal bacteria struggle to live. When using a toothbrush, start by stroking around their face; once they get used to that, move on to stroking around their mouth. Once they reach that stage, begin actual brushing by gently applying the brush to their front teeth first, then moving to their canines and molars. When brushing, pet-specific toothpaste is convenient. They come in flavors cats like, making brushing an enjoyable experience. The key to brushing is never to force it.

Dental Chews

There are dental chews available for cats. Giving them one after a meal can help prevent plaque from adhering to their teeth. These are recommended for cats that cannot be brushed.

Liquid Type

There are products that can be applied directly into the mouth or mixed into drinking water. By keeping the oral environment balanced, you can prevent the proliferation of periodontal bacteria. They are also effective for bad breath.

Toothpaste

As mentioned in the brushing section, there is pet-specific dental paste. Because it comes in flavors cats like, many cats will happily lick it off. A feature of some dental pastes is that they can help prevent plaque buildup just by being licked.

Human toothpaste contains xylitol, which is toxic to cats, so you must absolutely use pet-specific dental paste.

Summary

Feline periodontal disease is quite uncomfortable for cats, and if left untreated, it can become life-threatening. While periodontal disease can be improved through procedures under general anesthesia, it is also important to perform preventative tartar removal, such as once a year.

Daily dental care is, of course, also important. Take care of your cat's teeth by using methods that don't cause them stress.