Keep your cat's teeth healthy and pain-free — dental care from home

Dental health is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of your cat's overall wellbeing. Just like humans, cats can suffer from a variety of dental issues that affect not only their mouth but their entire body. Adult cats typically have 30 permanent teeth, which they use for grasping food, grooming, and occasionally for defense. These teeth are designed to last a lifetime, but without proper care, many cats develop dental problems by the time they're three years old. Cats can't tell us when they're experiencing dental pain, and they're masters at hiding discomfort. This means dental issues often go unnoticed until they become serious. Many cat owners are surprised to learn that dental disease can affect their cat's quality of life and even shorten their lifespan if left untreated. The most common dental issue in cats is periodontal disease, which begins with plaque buildup. Plaque is a sticky film containing bacteria that forms on teeth. If not removed, plaque hardens into tartar (or calculus) within days. Tartar above the gumline is unsightly but less harmful than what develops below the gumline, where it can lead to inflammation, infection, and tooth loss. The good news is that many dental problems are preventable with proper care, and Telavets is here to help you keep your cat's teeth healthy through virtual consultations, guidance on home dental care, and coordination with in-person care when necessary.

Cats can experience various dental problems throughout their lives. Being aware of these common issues can help you spot potential problems early: • Periodontal Disease: This is the most common dental condition in cats, affecting up to 85% of cats over three years old. It begins with gingivitis (gum inflammation) and can progress to periodontitis, which involves infection and damage to the structures supporting the teeth. Signs include red, swollen gums, bad breath, and tartar buildup. • Tooth Resorption: Also known as feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs), this painful condition affects up to 60% of cats. The tooth structure breaks down from the inside, creating holes in the teeth that expose sensitive inner tissues. These lesions are often hidden beneath the gumline and require dental X-rays for diagnosis. • Stomatitis: This severe, widespread inflammation of the mouth tissues causes extreme pain. It's thought to be related to an excessive immune response to dental plaque, and affected cats may drool, have difficulty eating, and show signs of oral pain like pawing at the mouth. • Malocclusion: This refers to improper alignment of the teeth and jaws. It can be congenital or develop due to injury or retained baby teeth. Malocclusion can cause discomfort and lead to other dental issues if teeth rub or press against each other or soft tissues. • Fractured Teeth: Cats can break teeth during falls, fights, or when chewing on hard objects. Fractures that expose the pulp (inner portion of the tooth) are painful and can lead to infection if not treated. • Retained Deciduous Teeth: Sometimes kittens don't lose their baby teeth when adult teeth emerge, leading to overcrowding, malocclusion, and increased plaque accumulation. • Oral Tumors: Both benign and malignant tumors can develop in a cat's mouth. Early detection is crucial, especially for malignant tumors that can spread quickly. • Faucitis: Inflammation of the back of the mouth where the upper and lower jaws meet, often seen in cats with calicivirus infection or as part of stomatitis. • Enamel Defects: Trauma, illness, or nutritional deficiencies during tooth development can cause enamel hypoplasia (thin or missing enamel), making teeth more susceptible to decay. • Gingival Hyperplasia: Overgrowth of gum tissue that can cover parts of the teeth, creating pockets where bacteria can accumulate. Signs that your cat might be experiencing dental problems include: • Bad breath (halitosis) • Decreased appetite or difficulty eating • Dropping food while eating • Drooling, which may contain blood • Pawing at the mouth • Yellow or brown tartar on teeth • Red, swollen, or bleeding gums • Missing, loose, or broken teeth • Weight loss • Behavioral changes like irritability If you notice any of these signs, it's important to seek veterinary advice. With Telavets, you can quickly consult about these symptoms and determine the best course of action for your cat's dental health.

At Telavets, we understand the importance of dental health for your cat's overall wellbeing. While some dental procedures require in-person care, we can still provide significant support for your cat's dental health through our telemedicine platform: 1. Virtual Dental Assessments Through high-quality video consultations, our veterinarians can: • Visually evaluate your cat's mouth and teeth (to the extent your cat allows) • Assess visible tartar buildup, gum redness, or obvious dental abnormalities • Identify signs of pain or discomfort related to dental issues • Evaluate your cat's eating behavior and other symptoms that might indicate dental problems 2. Guidance on Home Dental Care We provide personalized advice on maintaining your cat's dental health at home: • Recommendations for cat-specific toothpastes and toothbrushes • Proper tooth-brushing techniques and demonstrations • Alternative dental care options if your cat won't tolerate brushing • Information on dental diets, treats, and water additives that can help reduce plaque • Guidance on toys and chews that promote dental health 3. Early Problem Detection Our veterinarians can help you recognize the early signs of dental issues before they become severe: • Education on what normal, healthy cat teeth and gums look like • Warning signs to watch for that might indicate dental problems • Regular check-in consultations to monitor your cat's oral health over time 4. Prescription Medications When Needed For certain dental conditions, we can prescribe: • Pain medications to keep your cat comfortable • Antibiotics for bacterial infections associated with dental disease • Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce oral inflammation • All delivered directly to your door the next day 5. Coordination with In-Person Dental Care When necessary, we facilitate seamless transitions to in-person care: • Help determine when professional dental cleaning or extractions are needed • Referrals to local veterinary dentists when appropriate • Pre-procedure consultations to explain what to expect • Post-procedure follow-ups to ensure proper healing and pain management 6. Nutritional Guidance for Dental Health Diet plays a crucial role in dental health, and our veterinarians can: • Recommend dental-specific diets formulated to reduce plaque and tartar • Advise on feeding practices that promote good oral health • Address nutritional factors that might be contributing to dental issues Through our comprehensive telemedicine approach, Telavets helps you maintain your cat's dental health between professional cleanings and identifies potential problems early, when they're easier and less expensive to treat.

Maintaining your cat's dental health at home is an essential part of their overall care. While professional dental cleanings are occasionally necessary, daily home care can significantly reduce the need for these procedures. Here are practical tips for keeping your cat's teeth healthy: 1. Tooth Brushing • Start slowly, introducing your cat to the process gradually • Use only cat-specific toothpaste (never human toothpaste, which contains harmful ingredients) • Begin with a finger brush or gauze wrapped around your finger • Progress to a small, soft-bristled cat toothbrush when your cat is comfortable • Focus on the outer surfaces of the teeth where plaque accumulates most • Even brushing a few times a week can make a significant difference 2. Dental Treats and Diets • Look for dental treats with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval • Consider feeding a prescription dental diet that's designed to reduce plaque and tartar • Some diets have kibble size and texture specifically engineered to clean teeth as cats chew 3. Dental Toys and Chews • Provide toys designed to promote dental health • Some toys have bristles or special textures that help clean teeth during play • Encourage chewing activities that naturally help remove plaque 4. Water Additives and Oral Rinses • Dental water additives can help reduce bacteria in the mouth • Some products help soften existing tartar • These are especially helpful for cats who won't tolerate brushing 5. Regular Monitoring • Check your cat's mouth weekly for signs of problems • Look for red or bleeding gums, yellow or brown tartar, or changes in breath odor • Watch for changes in eating habits or behavior that might indicate oral pain 6. Establish a Routine • Set regular times for dental care so your cat learns to expect it • Pair dental care with positive experiences like treats or playtime • Be consistent with your approach 7. Start Young • Ideally, begin dental care when your cat is a kitten • Young cats adapt more easily to having their mouths handled • Prevention is much easier than treatment 8. Be Patient and Positive • Never force your cat if they resist dental care • Use positive reinforcement and rewards • Progress at your cat's pace to build trust 9. Know Your Limits • Some cats simply won't tolerate certain types of home dental care • If your cat becomes stressed, try alternative methods • Something is better than nothing when it comes to dental care 10. Complement Home Care with Professional Advice • Schedule regular Telavets consultations to assess your home dental care program • Be prepared to adjust your approach based on professional guidance • Know when to seek in-person care for professional cleaning Remember, even the best home care can't completely prevent dental disease in some cats. Regular veterinary assessment through Telavets can help determine when additional care is needed.

When it comes to maintaining your cat's dental health, Telavets offers unique advantages that make caring for your cat's teeth more convenient and less stressful: • Stress-Free Evaluations: Many cats become anxious at veterinary clinics, making oral examinations difficult. With Telavets, your cat remains in their comfortable home environment, allowing for a more relaxed assessment of their dental health. • Early Detection from Home: Our veterinarians can help you identify the early warning signs of dental disease through video consultations, often before problems become severe and require extensive treatment. • Personalized Dental Care Plans: We create customized home dental care strategies based on your cat's specific needs, temperament, and your lifestyle—making dental care more achievable and sustainable. • Convenient Follow-Up Care: Regular check-ins to monitor your cat's dental health are easy to schedule without the hassle of clinic visits, increasing the likelihood that dental issues will be caught early. • Immediate Access to Expertise: Have a question about your cat's dental health or home care techniques? Connect with a veterinarian quickly rather than waiting for an appointment. • Prescription Delivery: If your cat needs medications for pain or infection related to dental issues, we deliver them directly to your door the next day. • Educational Resources: We provide video demonstrations, guides, and personalized instruction on home dental care techniques specific to your cat's needs. • Cost-Effective Preventive Care: Regular telemedicine consultations and home care guidance can help prevent costly dental procedures down the road. • Seamless Coordination with In-Person Care: When professional dental cleaning or other in-person procedures are necessary, we help facilitate the transition to ensure your cat gets the care they need. • Ongoing Support: Establishing a dental care routine can be challenging—we provide continuous support to help you overcome obstacles and adjust techniques as needed. • Whole Health Perspective: Our veterinarians consider how dental health connects to your cat's overall wellbeing, addressing related issues like nutrition and systemic health. Dental care is an essential part of your cat's health maintenance that's often overlooked until problems become severe. With Telavets, you have a partner in preventive dental care that makes maintaining your cat's oral health simpler, less stressful, and more effective. Let us help you keep your cat's teeth healthy for life!