Tips to Brushing Cats Teeth Clean

Importance of Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth

Cats over the age of 4 are often exposed to the risks of dental disorders and gingivitis in cats, while senior cats commonly run the risks of periodontal and cat gum diseases in cats and other cat teeth problems. So, brushing their teeth regularly is an important chore for cat parents for the sake of the good dental health of their adorable fur babies. Additionally, brushing their teeth regularly gets rid of microbial and tartar accumulation that can cause plaque or cat tooth decay, pale gums in cats and eliminate foul smell from their mouth, keeping your kitty’s breath minty fresh for you to dote on.

Best Time to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth?

As kittens, furries are born with milk teeth which are replaced by permanent teeth as they start to grow. By the time kittens reach the age of 6 months, all of their milk teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, making it an ideal age to initiate kittens to different cat dental care measures. Most veterinarians and cat dentists recommend cat parents start brushing their furry munchkin’s teeth at a young age, as it helps them get acquainted with the process, and can make it considerably easier for you to brush their teeth for healthy cat gums, preventing dental disease in cats as they grow into fabulous adults.

Like humans, cats must also have their teeth brushed on a regular basis as they are prone to periodontal diseases. Additionally, as responsible cat parents, checking on their dental health can also go a long way.  Checking for foul breath, pale gums in cats, yellowing or decaying teeth, gingivitis in cats or slimy build-up over the exposed part of the teeth can tell you if your kitty needs some dental attention on cats teeth. This article discusses the best tips on cat dental care and tricks for a regular routine of brushing cats teeth.

What steps should I follow to teach my cat to accept tooth brushing?

• Regular Checks

  Your kitten's teeth should be clean and free from deposits. In addition to cats teeth, her gums should be a healthy pink colour. If you notice any redness around your kitten’s teeth and gums, speak to your vet – sometimes bits of food and bacteria can lead to plaque.

  Get your kitten used to having her mouth checked from an early age – it’ll make life a lot easier when brushing cats teeth!

• Cleaning your Kitten’s Teeth

  Here are some of the steps that can allow you to teach your feline little friend to accept tooth brushing and avoid cat teeth cleaning problems.

• To clean your kitten’s or cats teeth, you'll need a tiny toothbrush and some cat-friendly toothpaste. You can buy these from any good pet shop, or ask your vet. Let your kitten lick some toothpaste off the toothbrush, so it gets used to the taste. Then, quickly move the toothbrush to the back teeth on one side, then the other. Try to do this at least once a week.
• You can also use physical affection such as petting their head or stroking them under the jaw for some additional incentive for good behaviour or for reassurance before cats teeth cleaning. While not all cats can be open to the idea of having their teeth brushed on the very first day, making this a regular practice can help them grow comfortable before you can brush their teeth.
• When brushing your cats teeth, it is important to stay patient throughout the process so as to avoid stressing them. While brushing cats teeth does not require any elaborate kit, it is recommended that you use a soft brush designed for feline use, or cotton swabs and Q-tips for kitten dental care. Make sure they are comfortably sitting on your lap or some other stable surface before starting to brush their teeth.
• Start brushing your fur baby’s teeth in soft, circular motions along the tooth surface and gum muscles to get rid of any debris, food particles or plaque build-up that might cause gingivitis in cats. Each side should be brushed gently for at least 10 seconds. If you are brushing your cat’s teeth for the first time, expect light bleeding around the gums, although it is not anything to be worried about.  Once done, reward your feline munchkin for being a good kitty with some of cuddles or cat treats.

Special Food

It’s a good idea to introduce a suitable dry food into your kitten’s diet –  for example, Whiskas^® Junior Dry. Each kibble  (that’s what the little chunks of dry food are called) is the right size and shape for your kitten’s mouth, and the abrasive texture is good for its teeth and gums.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush for Your Cat

It is extremely vital to use feline toothbrushes that have been specifically designed for brushing a cat’s teeth. This is because toothbrushes meant for humans tend to have harder, sharper bristles that can easily scratch or scrape into your furry’s soft gum tissues, causing them to bleed. Toothbrushes with rougher bristles can also cause the enamel layer of your kitty’s teeth to be stripped off, leading to hypersensitivity. Here are some of the things to keep in mind while choosing the right toothbrush for your kitty:

• Choose a BPA-free (Bisphenol-A free) toothbrush for kitten teeth care to avoid any chemical allergies.
• Toothbrushes for brushing a cat’s teeth should have a 45-degree angled design, making brushing cats teeth effective and convenient.
• Choose a brush with softer bristles that are gentle on your healthy cat gums.
• Toothbrushes with double brush ends can also help in getting rid of stubborn food particles and prevents cat gingivitis treatment.
• You can also get wearable finger toothbrushes designed for kitten teeth care that allows more control over the brushing angle and pressure.

Additionally, here are some other optional products that you might consider getting:

• Dental treats

  Not only do dental treats taste great and can be offered as an incentive before brushing cats teeth, but they also have a noteworthy benefit - reducing tartar and as cat gingivitis treatment. Tartar and plaque build-up in cats can soon lead to gingivitis if left untreated. Dental treats contain zinc oxide and calcium carbonate that give them a crunchy texture to scrub the teeth and remove gingivitis in cats.

• Eco-friendly cat toothbrushes

  Eco-friendly toothbrushes for cats are made from biodegradable bamboo fibres that are not just a step towards sustainable living, but also healthy for feline use, as they are completely organic and free from chemical additives.

Benefits of Using Pet Toothpaste for Your Cat’s Teeth

Since pet-friendly toothpastes contain the agent Calprox, they are efficient in reducing plaque and tartar build-ups. Additionally, toothpaste for cats also contains potassium hydroxide and cetylpyridinium chloride, which play an active role in preventing cat tooth decay. Rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphates, and minerals, toothpaste for cats is also responsible for taking cat oral care and maintaining good enamel and healthy cat gums.

You can also consider getting dental water additives for cats that are effective in reducing tartar and plaque or pale gums in cats. Dental water additives contain anti-oxidant and anti-microbial agents that can substantially reduce the risks of gingivitis and other microbial dental and cat gum diseases.

How to Properly Brush Your Cat’s Teeth: A Step-by-Step Guide

New cat parents can appear apprehensive when it comes to how to brush cats teeth as they fear hurting their furry feline, or getting bitten. However, with the easy steps mentioned below on how to brush cats teeth, you can easily brush your feline munchkin’s teeth for cat gingivitis treatment:

• Cats often feel vulnerable getting their teeth brushed. So, it is a wise idea to brush their teeth when they are not agitated or stressed. Choosing a calm, quiet environment can help your kitty to be more accepting of you brushing their teeth.
• Start by comfortably placing your cat on an accessible surface, such as a tabletop or a counter. You can also try having your furball sit on your lap to make it easier for you. Choose a small, closed room to prevent your kitty from running away.
• If you are brushing your cat’s teeth for the first time, remember to use a Q-tip dipped in tuna water instead of a pet toothbrush. Since cats enjoy the tuna flavour, this helps in establishing positive associations with the brushing process.
• When it comes to how to brush cats teeth, once your cat is comfortable, hold its head at a 45-degree angle, and gently pull back their lips to reveal their teeth. 
• Gently rub the teeth along the gum tissue with the Q-tip to clean any debris or plaque buildup that might cause cat dental problems. You can also consider leaning along the gum and the tooth surface with a cotton swab. Once your cat is comfortable having its teeth brushed for cat dental health after a few times, you can switch to a feline toothbrush.

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