Most cat parents don’t realize that dental disease affects over 70% of cats by age three, making it one of the most common health problems our feline companions face. Unlike dogs who may show obvious signs of dental pain, cats are masters at hiding discomfort, often suffering silently with painful teeth and infected gums that can significantly impact their quality of life and overall health.
At Pawtown Veterinary Care, we understand the unique challenges of feline dental care and the importance of gentle, stress-free treatment for our cat patients. Our comprehensive veterinary services include specialized dental care designed specifically for cats, performed by experienced veterinarians Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer who recognize that every cat deserves personalized attention in a calm, welcoming environment that reduces anxiety for both pets and their families.
Understanding Your Cat's Dental Health Needs
Cats have specific dental anatomy and behaviors that make their oral health needs different from dogs. Their sharp, pointed teeth are designed for tearing and cutting rather than grinding, and they’re prone to unique dental conditions like tooth resorption, which affects up to 75% of cats over five years old.
Dental disease in cats typically begins with plaque buildup along the gum line, just like in humans. However, cats are particularly susceptible to gingivitis and periodontal disease because they tend to accumulate tartar more quickly than other animals. Left untreated, bacteria from dental disease can enter the bloodstream and affect vital organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys. One of the most challenging aspects of feline dental care is that cats instinctively hide signs of pain and illness. You might notice subtle changes like:
- Eating more slowly
- Preferring soft food
- Dropping food while chewing
However, many cats continue eating normally even with significant dental pain. Bad breath, excessive drooling, and pawing at the face are more obvious signs that warrant immediate veterinary attention.
Regular dental examinations are crucial for early detection of problems before they become painful or require extensive treatment. During wellness visits, we carefully examine your cat’s teeth and gums, looking for signs of tartar buildup, gingivitis, tooth damage, or other abnormalities that might not be visible to pet parents at home.
Common Dental Problems in Cats
There are various types of dental problems we commonly see in our feline patients. These include the following:
Tooth Resorption
Tooth resorption is one of the most painful dental conditions affecting cats, causing the tooth structure to break down from the inside out. These lesions often appear as red, inflamed areas along the gum line and can be extremely uncomfortable. Unlike cavities in humans, tooth resorption in cats typically requires the extraction of affected teeth to eliminate pain.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease progresses through several stages, starting with gingivitis and advancing to more serious conditions that destroy the tissues and bone supporting the teeth. Early-stage gum disease may be reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care, but advanced periodontal disease often requires tooth extraction to prevent ongoing pain and infection.
Stomatitis
Stomatitis is another serious condition that causes severe inflammation throughout the mouth, making eating extremely painful for affected cats. This autoimmune condition often requires aggressive treatment, including multiple tooth extractions, but cats typically experience dramatic improvement in comfort and appetite once the painful teeth are removed.
Fractured Teeth
Fractured teeth can occur from trauma or chewing on hard objects, exposing the sensitive pulp inside the tooth. These injuries are painful and provide an entry point for bacteria, requiring prompt treatment to prevent abscesses and more serious complications.
Professional Dental Cleaning and Treatment
Professional dental cleaning under anesthesia is the gold standard for maintaining your cat’s oral health and treating existing dental disease. We understand that the thought of anesthesia can be concerning, but modern anesthetic protocols are extremely safe, and the procedure allows us to thoroughly clean below the gum line, where most dental disease occurs.
Before any dental procedure, we conduct a comprehensive pre-anesthetic examination and may recommend blood work to ensure your cat is healthy enough for anesthesia. This careful screening helps us identify any potential risks and tailor our anesthetic protocol to your cat’s specific needs, including considerations for senior cats or those with underlying health conditions.
During the dental cleaning, we remove tartar and plaque from all tooth surfaces, including areas below the gum line that cannot be reached during awake examinations. We take dental X-rays to evaluate the tooth roots and surrounding bone, identifying problems that aren’t visible during visual examination alone. If we discover diseased teeth that require extraction, we perform these procedures while your cat is already under anesthesia to minimize stress and recovery time.
Post-operative care focuses on pain management and monitoring healing, with most cats recovering quickly and showing improved appetite once painful dental problems are resolved. We provide detailed aftercare instructions and schedule follow-up visits to ensure proper healing and discuss ongoing dental care strategies.
Managing Dental Care Costs For Your Cat
We understand that dental procedures can represent a significant expense, which is why we offer transparent pricing and flexible payment options to help manage veterinary costs. Our practice accepts Care Credit and Scratch Pay, which provide financing solutions that allow you to focus on your cat’s health rather than worrying about upfront expenses.
The investment in your cat’s dental health pays dividends in improved quality of life, better overall health, and often fewer expensive emergency treatments down the road. Cats with healthy mouths typically eat better, feel more comfortable, and have a reduced risk of systemic diseases caused by dental bacteria entering the bloodstream.
We work with you to develop a dental care plan that fits both your cat’s needs and your budget, discussing all treatment options and their associated costs upfront. For cats requiring extensive dental work, we can often stage treatments over time to make care more manageable while still addressing the most urgent problems first.
You can learn more about our approach to personalized, compassionate veterinary care by visiting our about us page and reading about our commitment to treating every pet like family. We also offer convenient access to prescription medications through our online pharmacy for ongoing dental care needs.
Professional Cat Dental Care at Pawtown Veterinary Care
Your cat’s dental health is too important to ignore, and early intervention can prevent painful, expensive problems while maintaining your feline friend’s comfort and quality of life. Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer have extensive experience in feline dentistry and understand the unique challenges of providing gentle, effective dental care for cats in a stress-free environment that prioritizes your pet’s well-being.
Our locally-owned practice combines advanced dental capabilities with the personal attention and individualized care that sets us apart from larger corporate veterinary clinics. We take time to explain procedures, discuss treatment options, and work within your budget to provide the best possible dental care for your cat. Whether your feline companion needs routine dental cleaning or treatment for an existing dental disease, we’re here to help them maintain a healthy, comfortable mouth throughout their life. If you’re ready to prioritize your cat’s dental health, request an appointment online or call us directly to discuss your cat’s specific needs. Contact Pawtown Veterinary Care today through our contact page to schedule a dental consultation and take the first step toward better oral health for your beloved feline companion.