How to remove tartar and plaque at home quickly, without harm? How to remove tartar from a dog or a cat at home? Tartar in a cat: proper care and cleaning with ultrasound

Tartar in cats is a hard formation. gray-green formed on the incisors, molars and lateral surfaces of the canines.

V natural environment the habitat of tartar in the cat family practically does not form, due to the peculiarities of their diet - solid natural food prevents them from the formation of tartar, since they have a natural process of cleaning their teeth.

Etiology... One of the main reasons for the formation of tartar in a cat is feeding the animal with "refined" foods, consisting of soft food, violation mineral metabolism substances in the body of an animal, lack of oral hygiene in an animal, violation of the location of the dentition, roughness of the teeth.

Cats of the following breeds are prone to the deposition of tartar on the teeth - Siamese, Persian, Scottish and British Fold.

Pathogenesis... As a result of improper nutrition of the cat, the oral cavity is constantly clogged with food debris, which is excellent in the oral cavity. nutrient medium for numerous microbes inhabiting the oral cavity. All this leads to the formation of tartar in the cat, which accumulates over a period of time at the base of the tooth, closer to the gum, forming tartar. Lime deposits and the microorganisms on them begin to actively produce lactic acid, as a result of which the normal acid-base balance in the oral cavity is disturbed. Tartar begins to be deposited at the edge of the gums, then covers the crown of the tooth and extends to the entire surface of the tooth. Tartar mechanically irritates and infects the gingival mucosa and alveolar edges. The stone itself does not destroy the tooth tissue.

Initially, tartar appears as a yellow-brown plaque that accumulates on the anterior side of the molars. WITH inside the plaque of a stone is less because it is scraped off when the cat gnaws solid food.

Clinical picture... On clinical examination of the cat's oral cavity, we note the presence of tartar near the gums. At the same time, under the gum, when examining the oral cavity, the tartar is not outwardly noticeable, what is the insidiousness of this disease, tk. this stone contributes to the formation of a gingival pocket, where it accumulates a large number of microorganisms, as a result, the cat has problems with the gums, and the teeth begin to loosen and fall out. The cat's gums are inflamed (gingivitis) and bleed. An unpleasant odor emanates from the cat's mouth; pain), the cat begins to refuse food, exhaustion is observed.

Treatment... The owner needs to prepare for the operation to remove tartar from a cat. If the cat is young and does not have chronic diseases, it is sufficient not to feed it for 12-24 hours before the operation. At the same time, the elderly and those with health problems require serious preparation. Such cats need a thorough clinical examination, laboratory tests of blood and urine.

Treatment of dental calculus in a cat consists in the elementary removal of calculi from the surface of the dentition. This procedure in cats is carried out under general anesthesia... Depending on the degree of tartar condition, the procedure takes about 1 hour, and sometimes more.

The very process of removing dental calculus from a cat includes 3 stages.

1st stage. Mechanical treatment of the surface of the dentition using a dental instrument.

2nd stage. Ultrasonic cleaning of dental calculus.

3rd stage. Final resurfacing of the dentition with cleaning pastes.

In veterinary clinics, the removal of plaque and serious tartar build-up from a cat under anesthesia using special dental instruments is practiced. Removal of calculus in cats with ultrasound for minor lesions and when the gingival sinuses are not affected. Grinding is usually used in the early stages of the disease. The teeth are cleaned with a special paste that neutralizes most microorganisms and partially evens out the enamel. During the grinding procedure, the veterinarian "removes" part of the enamel and sometimes injures the gums. After this procedure, the animal's oral cavity is disinfected, in some cases, if necessary, a course of immunostimulants or antibiotics is prescribed. After the procedure for removing tartar, the cat is fed a gentle warm diet, if necessary, pain relievers have to be given. In older cats, as well as in the presence of chronic diseases of the heart, kidneys, liver, central nervous system, development opportunities allergic reaction, as well as occurrence from anesthesia anaphylactic shock, teeth cleaning has to be done without anesthesia.

Prophylaxis... Considering that tartar can form not only in adult cats, but also in young kittens, prevention of this disease should be started from a young age. You need to accustom your pet to regular examination of the oral cavity and teeth, brushing teeth with a special paste. In order to prevent the formation of tartar in your pet, you should:

visit every 6 months veterinary clinic for preventive examination;
brushing your teeth, especially if your breed of cat has a tendency to form tartar;
the diet should be varied, the diet should contain tough foods, and in summer, green grass. You can give your pets dried tendons;
practice seasonal intake of vitamins;
conduct timely treatment diseases of the gastrointestinal tract because they provoke a violation of acid alkaline balance in the oral cavity.

Tartar in cats is lime deposits on the teeth (colonies of microorganisms) that have a persistent and strong structure, as well as a tendency to overgrow. Bacteria, trace elements, phosphorus salts and food debris give tartar a yellowish or dark brown color.

How is tartar formed?

The formation of tartar begins as early as early age animal. It takes place in several stages. First, a subtle film of bacteria and saliva appears on the cat's teeth. She can sometimes disappear, but then she will definitely reappear. Over time, strong plaque forms on the canines and back teeth. Soon, "dental plaque" will appear on the remaining teeth. This is a fairly persistent formation, which is a colony of various microorganisms. These microorganisms on the surface of the tooth create favorable conditions for a chemical reaction, in which the calcium contained in the animal's saliva participates. Further, there is a mineralization of dental plaque, the development inflammatory process in the gum. Then periodontitis may occur.

Why does tartar appear?

There are several main reasons for the formation of tartar in cats:

improper tooth growth;
cat eating soft food;
increased roughness of the teeth;
salt metabolism disorders;
wrong and lack of hygiene oral cavity.

Tartar symptoms

Pronounced changes in the cat's oral cavity indicate the appearance of tartar. It is quite easy to identify them.

The main signs are:

bad breath;
brown or yellow overlays appear at the base of the tooth;
hard crusts appear on the teeth near the gums;
reddened, sometimes bleeding gums;
anxiety and soreness when eating food;

Removing tartar in cats

Tartar must be removed in cats. Do not self-medicate, but see an experienced veterinarian right away.

Removing tartar is unpleasant and painful procedure... This procedure takes about 30-40 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia. If the cat is young, then a 12-hour fasting diet before surgery will be sufficient. Doctors use a special approach to animals over five years old. First, the cat is examined (laboratory tests), making sure that there are no chronic diseases and other ailments, the veterinarian individually prescribes the amount of anesthesia.

Removal of calculus in cats consists of three stages:

with the help of dental instruments, mechanical removal of large stones is carried out;
using special device held ultrasonic cleaning;
polishing and grinding teeth with special pastes.

We can talk about high-quality teeth cleaning when all three stages are completed.

Preventing tartar in cats

The main problem in eliminating inflammation of periodontal tissues is the destruction of biofilm, which is responsible for the formation of dental plaque. Plaque can form very quickly - within 48 hours, so you need to take daily measures to prevent its appearance.

While multiplying, pathogenic bacteria form a large population immersed in a glycoprotein matrix that fills dental lacunae and canals. In such places, bacteria become invulnerable to host immunity factors and many drugs... However, mechanical action that is properly directed to the surface of the teeth can destroy the integrity of plaque and calculus. In dogs, with a lack of such mechanical influences, the formation of dental plaque is accompanied by the development of gum disease, which becomes clinically evident within 7-21 days. Daily treatment of the oral cavity and cleaning the teeth of animals ensure the elimination of gingivitis, which confirms the reversible nature of this pathology.

Dental plaque has an extremely negative effect on the condition of the teeth, although it is believed that it protects the teeth from drying out and colonization by pathogenic species of exogenous bacteria. Therefore, the most urgent task is to prevent the formation of plaque as much as possible, but at the same time, one should not expect that it will be possible to completely rid the animal of it.

Teeth cleaning

Brushing your teeth is perhaps the main way to prevent and treat gum disease and periodontal disease. Observing cats for one week showed that brushing teeth once a day or twice a week reduced the incidence of calculus by 95%.

The experiment, which lasted one year, on the contrary, gave reason to believe that brushing cats' teeth is a thankless and ineffective business. Firstly, when carrying out this procedure, technical difficulties often arise, especially if it is carried out daily. In addition, in this experiment, it was observed that brushing the teeth contributed to a decrease in the incidence of gum disease on the cheek side only, but in general it did not result in a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of gingivitis.

Recently, another study was completed, during which 88 owners monitored their pets for six months, comparing the effectiveness of brushing their teeth with a special dry food. At the end of the experiment, the results were summed up - the cleaning efficiency of cats' teeth did not exceed 40%.

Manufacturers of dry food for cats are studying intensively their feeding behavior. The shape, size and texture of the croquet food are regularly checked and adapted to the different anatomical types of faces and jaws of cats different breeds to provide them with normal physiological activity of the dental system during meals. Manufacturers are especially careful to study the texture of croquettes. ready-made feed, aiming to ensure that it provides control of the formation of plaque.

Effect of textured croquetted food on tartar formation in cats

Croquet texture (especially its fiber characteristics) is most important physical property ready-made food, which helps to reduce plaque deposits. Numerous studies on dogs have shown Negative influence wet feed- this type of feeding contributes to the development of periodontal diseases.

Although very few such experiments were carried out on cats, they convincingly revealed the main laws governing the influence of food texture on the process of plaque formation:

raising kittens on wet food contributes to the formation of tartar, gingivitis, tooth loss and the appearance of bad smell from mouth;
two-week observations of two groups of cats fed wet and dry food showed that the latter significantly reduced the incidence of plaque formation;
the addition of fiber to the diet of tigers twice a week helped to reduce the incidence of plaque formation and the associated inflammation of the periodontal tissues;
15 cats daily consumption of chewing sticks in addition to dry food significantly reduced the incidence of plaque (by 20%) and tartar (by 39%) on premolars, molars and canines. It was not reported that chewing sticks in animals had any effect on the intensity or frequency of gum disease. This is probably due to the lack of statistically significant influence this factor;
in a similar experiment on 24 cats fed once a day with dry food for four weeks, chewed treats showed a significant 64% reduction in the incidence of plaque formation compared to control cats that were fed dry food alone. Statistically significant differences were also noted in the frequency of tartar formation and the value of the "gingival index" - in cats that received treats, these indicators were 15 and 11% lower, respectively.

Influence of size and shape of dry food croquettes

The influence of the shape and texture of croquettes on the condition of the teeth in cats was studied simultaneously in an experiment, according to the conditions of which the cats had Free access to several feeds. A significant (41%) decrease in the intensity of plaque deposition was noted in animals that ate large croquettes that had a quadrangular shape and a higher (25%) index of tooth deepening during chewing compared to dry food, the croquettes of which were small and triangular. Such a decrease in the intensity of plaque formation can be explained by the large mechanical effect of large croquettes of food on the teeth. If the texture of the croquetted dry food allows the animal's teeth to penetrate deeper into them before they crumble, then the duration of the chewing process is increased, which has a positive effect on brushing the teeth.

The food may also contain certain ingredients that can act on plaque and tartar. Thus, chewing them with food facilitates the prevention of periodontal disease.

A texturometer is a device for measuring the resistance of a croquette to the force of pressure exerted on it by the jaws and teeth of a cat.

Replaceable tips allow you to simulate the shape and size of animal teeth different breeds and ages.

Thanks to the specially selected structure, dry court croquettes provide deeper penetration of teeth into them during meals. This ensures greater efficiency of mechanical cleaning of the tooth surface.

The benefits of polyphosphate salts

Well known (confirmed clinical practice) that some polyphosphate salts are effective remedy prevention of dental calculus formation. Calcium cations (Ca2 +) present in feline saliva are responsible for the mineralization of plaque and its transformation into calculus. If polyphosphates capable of binding various cations (including Ca2 + and Mg2 +) enter the oral cavity, they neutralize salivary calcium ions, limiting their inclusion in the tartar matrix. The calcium bound by them is released in digestive tract and can be adsorbed through the intestinal wall if the body needs it. Cats fed dry food croquettes coated with a calcium chelator showed a significant (32%) decrease in calcium accumulation in dental plaque compared to control cats fed the same dry food, but without polyphosphate salts.

Dentists are intensively studying in long-term experiments the effect of certain oils (thymol, eucalyptus, menthol, methyl salicylate) on the condition of human teeth. There was a significant decrease in the intensity of plaque formation (by 25%) and the incidence of gum inflammation associated with it (by 25-35%) in people who regularly rinsed the mouth and teeth with solutions containing such oils.

Sodium polyphosphate food

Currently ongoing research in the field of oral health in animals is focused on finding new active ingredients that can prevent the formation of tartar.

Tests on cats of ingredients in human cosmetics ( food components removing plaque (PRN)) have shown that they can have the same effect on feline teeth. The inclusion of these ingredients in one of the dry food options in order to improve mechanical properties by optimizing the structure of the croquettes led to a significant decrease in the intensity of plaque deposition in animals. A month after the cats received the experimental food, a 12% decrease in the intensity of calculus formation on all examined teeth (canines, premolars of the upper jaw, as well as molars on lower jaw). More thorough examination teeth along the gum line showed that the intensity of plaque formation on all teeth decreased by an average of 22%. If we exclude from the analysis the maxillary premolars, as well as the mandibular molars, then this figure will be even higher - 36%. This indicates effective preventive action feed with special additive on the formation of plaque and tartar. In addition, the results of this experiment showed that such foods can prevent the formation of plaque and tartar even on the most vulnerable teeth of cats - the maxillary premolars, as well as the mandibular molar.

Probably, in the future, the development and testing of new components of the diet of cats will continue, with the help of which it will be possible not only to inhibit the processes of aggregation of bacterial cells in dental plaque, but also to affect its physical interaction with teeth, ensuring the exfoliation of such formations.

The combination of size, texture and composition of dry food croquettes has already made it possible to significantly reduce the intensity of plaque and tartar formation in cats (by approximately 30 and 50%, respectively). Cats have a very peculiar mechanism of chewing food, which provides for the strongest squeezing of it with wolf teeth. Therefore, food intended for the prevention of the formation of plaque and tartar has the greatest effect on wolf teeth. The inclusion of special additives in the composition of dry food that prevent the formation of plaque contributes to the spread of such positive effect and on the rostral part of the dental arch (canines and incisors).

Food with polyphosphates

An index characterizing the total level of plaque deposition before and after a month of consumption of dry food by cats, enriched with a special additive PRN.

Usually, the incidence of oral inflammation in cats is highly underestimated. Clinical significance this group of diseases is much more than previously thought. In fact it is infectious diseases number one in cats Contrary to popular belief, periodontal disease varies considerably between dogs and cats, and even manifests itself in different ways. Research carried out in Lately showed that inflammation of the periodontal tissue in cats has a pronounced secondary effect on other organ systems and on the body as a whole. Such observations provide a fresh look at the benefits of preventing oral and dental diseases. Its goal is not only to eliminate bad breath from animals, but also to improve their health and increase their lifespan.

Adequate treatment can eliminate chronic toothache and infections associated with diseases of the oral cavity. Owners are usually amazed at the effect that occurs as a result of proper oral care of their pets. Toothache greatly alters the behavior of cats. After treatment, they become more active, eat better, and their general well-being is significantly improved.

Particular attention should be paid to the prevention of plaque formation. It is now generally accepted that specially formulated foods can help maintain oral hygiene in small pets. They are especially useful for cats, given that it is quite difficult for them to brush their teeth on a daily basis, and they usually do not show much interest in objects that can be chewed.

Undoubtedly, the effectiveness of this approach will be improved through the development of new shapes and textures of croquettes and the search for new means of removing plaque.

It so happened that cats suffer from about the same diseases as humans. Often they are faced with the problem of calculus deposits. What is dental calculus? These are lime deposits with a fairly persistent structure, which grow rapidly and give the tooth a yellow or dark brown color.

These are lime deposits formed due to the presence of microorganisms, dark brown or yellow color and firm to the touch. Tartar in cats begins to form in childhood... At the initial stage of the disease, plaque is formed due to plaque accumulated on the surface of the teeth and harmful microorganisms... As a rule, it is found on the canines and molars, growing over time and giving a rather unattractive appearance.

Reasons for education

In veterinary medicine, several reasons are known that affect the formation of tartar:

Not properly balanced diet cat. Lack of natural food leads to the formation of microorganisms, which, when interacting with saliva, lead to the formation of deposits.
Malformed bite.
Metabolic disorders in the body of a cat lead to improper salt metabolism, as a result of which tartar grows.
Insufficient oral care.
The presence of an inflammatory process of the gums.

Types of dental calculus

Tartar, as a rule, forms in places where saliva is washed, incisors and molars are susceptible to it. Sometimes these formations cover not one, but several teeth in a row. Dental calculus are classified according to their location. They are:

Supragingival. This type of deposits is located above the gum. It can be seen during examination of the animal's oral cavity.
Subgingival. These deposits are located at the root of the tooth, under the gum. It is impossible to notice it during inspection. It promotes the formation of places in the cat's gums where bacteria can accumulate. As a result, loosening and tooth loss occurs.

Symptoms

Even the most inexperienced owner will understand that the cat has formed tartar. The most common symptoms are:

Extremely unpleasant odor from the mouth.
Growths formed on the surface of the teeth.
Inflammatory processes of the gums.
The cat is extremely irritated while eating, shakes its head, growls.
Profuse salivation.
Looseness and loss of teeth.
Your cat regularly rubs its cheek on something.
Yellow or dark brown plaque at the base of the tooth.
Swelling of the oral mucosa.
Puffy eyes.

Diagnostics

If you find any of the listed symptoms, you urgently need to contact your veterinarian in order to accurately diagnose and begin qualified treatment. Diagnosis of the disease includes only a visual examination by a veterinarian and dentist. As a rule, after examination, it is a question of urgent treatment of the pathological process.

How is the removal

Removing tartar is a rather painful procedure that lasts from 30 to 60 minutes. As a rule, cleaning is carried out in three stages, only observance of all stages will help to qualitatively clean the formed growths on the teeth. If the procedure was of poor quality or without any item, then the stone will form again, and the animal will have to go through this again unpleasant procedure including:

Mechanical removal of large stones with dental instruments.
Ultrasound cleaning is performed to remove small stones.
Grinding and polishing of teeth is carried out using special pastes.

If the animal is old or sick and cannot withstand general anesthesia, then the veterinarian develops a step-by-step treatment of the growth, which is performed without the use of anesthesia, under the influence of painkillers. In this case, the stone is removed gradually, over several visits to the clinic.

Can tartar be removed at home

Treatment for dental calculus can only be performed in the clinic. Removal at home is impossible, since this is a rather complicated procedure, which is done mainly under anesthesia in a veterinary clinic.

Do not under any circumstances remove tartar at home, as this can cause severe pain cat and cause damage to health.

How to prepare a cat for surgery

If, after examination, the veterinarian prescribed surgery using general anesthesia, then the owner at home must prepare the pet for this unpleasant event:

The young animal should prepare by fasting for 12 to 24 hours.
Elderly cats, or those pets that have any health problems, should be prepared with the help of laboratory research and a close examination by a veterinarian.

Caring for a cat after removal

After the treatment has been carried out, the cat will need careful care, which includes:

Pain relievers that can be given at home.
Food should be semi-liquid, gentle and lukewarm.

Prophylaxis

To prevent the cat from having such a problem, it is necessary to prevent tartar at home, which includes simple rules:

Regular brushing of your cat's teeth will help avoid these troubles. Moreover, it is necessary to start accustoming the kitten to oral hygiene, because they get used to it more easily than adult cats.
Balanced feed also prevents stone problems. Dry food has proven itself very well, they include alimentary fiber, which have a beneficial effect on the surface of the teeth and produce additional cleaning.
Currently, there are commercially available foods that have added polyphosphate, which creates a protective film on the teeth that prevents plaque.
Taking vitamins that contribute to the full preservation of the health of the pet, and the oral cavity is no exception.
Gastrointestinal diseases lead to an imbalance in the alkaline balance in the mouth of a cat, therefore regular check-ups are necessary to monitor the pet's health.
Regular check-ups with a veterinarian dentist are recommended as prevention different diseases oral cavity.

Dry food is not a panacea for the formation of tartar, they protect well from the formation of plaque only if oral hygiene is observed.

At-risk groups

Tartar in cats usually forms when it reaches the age of five years, especially if the animal's oral cavity has not been properly cared for. Recently, this problem has begun to occur in young individuals, there is a relationship with the unbalanced food of the animal.
In veterinary medicine, there is evidence that the most common breeds, such as Persian, Siamese, Scottish, are most prone to this disease. This is because sometimes unskilled breeders can weaken the gene pool of these high-demand cats.
Yard cats living in countryside and those who eat natural food are less susceptible to this disease. They have stronger immunity than their elite counterparts.

By taking good care of your cat, problems such as tartar formation can be avoided. If such a nuisance touches your pet, then the help of a qualified specialist is needed.

It is important for every owner to remember that tartar is found not only in people, but also in their pets. Cats are no exception to this rule. With age, more and more deposits accumulate on the teeth of our pets, which tend to harden and turn into stones. Such formations can cause significant harm to the health and well-being of the animal, if they are not eliminated in time. About what methods are used to remove tartar in cats, and in what conditions it can be carried out this procedure we will tell further.

The assumption that a cat's teeth do not require any maintenance is deeply flawed. Despite this, not every owner is engaged in prophylactic cleaning of his pet's teeth at least once a month. As a result of the lack of care, the teeth of the animal naturally "overgrow" with layers of plaque, which gradually collects into what dentists call stones.

Tartar itself is a collection of several main components:

calcium and phosphorus contained in the cat's saliva;
iron;
non-chewed food particles left after each feeding;
waste products of bacteria inhabiting the oral cavity of the animal.

Of course, not all bacteria in a cat's mouth are harmful. However, those of them that belong to the pathogenic group gradually destroy the enamel of the teeth, as well as their soft body... Therefore, in addition to the manifestation of stones, in cats, whose teeth no one has dealt with, stomatitis, pulpitis and other diseases of the oral cavity can be found that cause great discomfort.

How does tartar appear?

Tartar passes through several stages in its development. The very first one is yellow bloom, which may be completely invisible to the owner. However, the appearance of yellowness in itself suggests that it is desirable for the animal to undergo teeth cleaning (at home or in a veterinary clinic).

Over time, the plaque begins to darken. This is most likely to be found in those areas of the jaw that do not involve frequent friction between the teeth, contributing to their natural cleansing. The discoloration of plaque as it flattens is explained by the fact that tartar consists of pores that well absorb various food colorings... The stone acquires hardness due to the vigorous activity of microorganisms that release insoluble mineral compounds.

Timing of tartar formation

It is difficult to name the exact time it takes for this or that cat to form tartar. The timing is influenced by both the peculiarities of feeding and the structure of the jaw of the animal, and its breed. It is believed that it takes from three months to six months to "create" a formed dental calculus.

Cats are more prone to tartar formation in adulthood. Young pets up to three years old are rarely threatened with such ailment. However, in last years this claim is disputed, and veterinarians begin to cleanse teeth stones belonging to kittens who are not even one year old.

Tartar location

In total, there are only two options for the location of calculus:

In most cats, stones are primarily covered by the incisors and canines, later moving to other teeth. As a rule, the first to be hit "under attack" upper jaw... It has also been repeatedly noted that stones prefer to form on those molars that are adjacent to the cheeks.

Causes of tartar formation

The main reason for the formation of tartar is the very fact that your pet is alive. The appearance of deposits is a natural result of animals using their jaws and oral cavity as a whole. Accordingly, stones cannot be considered as a kind of pathology. Plaque buildup is a natural process, like the regrowth of claws. However, the need to trim the nails of their pet seems to some owners more obvious than cleaning the teeth, hence the frequent appearance of hidden dental problems in animals.

Risk factors

If everything is clear with the causes of calculus formation, then the risk factors that accelerate the hardening of dental plaque need to be considered in more detail. Veterinarians include the following prerequisites for the appearance of stones:

improper diet. It is important for cats to consume solid foods at least a couple of times a week. The fact is that products of this consistency are a kind of trainer for the teeth of an animal, allowing them to keep them in good shape and remove other pieces of stuck food. Cats kept on canned food for years are much more likely to face all kinds of dental diseases;
consumption of sugary foods. Sometimes the owners allow the cats to indulge in a small piece of cake or even ice cream, which can also lead to bad consequences... Sweet perfectly settles on the teeth, being a real catalyst for caries and stones (especially if you do not brush your teeth after it);
malformed jaw / teeth. Frequent clients of dentists are those animals that had (or still have) problems with the structure of the jaw, in particular - malocclusion... In addition to the bite, cats may also have crooked teeth or teeth growing too close to each other;
violation of metabolic processes in the body. One of the consequences of metabolic disorders is the oxidation of animal saliva, leading to the acceleration of stone formation. High content salts in saliva only contributes to the accumulation of deposits due to the release of phosphate stone, which is the best foundation for calculus.

Does tartar threaten my cat's health?

Unfortunately, many cat owners tend to underestimate the danger of dental plaque. And if the appearance of a stone in itself may not cause visible alarming symptoms in a pet, then the consequences of an untreated stone can be extremely negative. These consequences include:

the spread of tartar throughout the cat's jaw, which sooner or later will lead to loosening and loss of teeth;
toxins released pathogenic bacteria that inhabit the pet's oral cavity gradually accumulate in the body, thereby poisoning it and weakening the immune system. If the situation gets out of control (for example, the cat becomes infected with some kind of infection), the animal may develop sepsis;
due to the same active reproduction of bacteria, pets living with tartar are prone to all kinds of diseases associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction. Gastritis, ulcer and various diseases liver are also non-obvious results of the "impact" of dental calculus. Therefore, attempts to treat such cats are often useless if the therapy was not preceded by cleaning the teeth from accumulated deposits;
stone formation has a depressing effect on the cat's immunity, making it much more vulnerable to the most different groups infectious and viral diseases.

Even if your pet is different good health, which will not erode tartar at once, chewing food will sooner or later turn into torment for the cat. Often animals do not show their discomfort, because their owners can for a long time remain in the dark about existing problems. In turn, tartar is precisely the ailment that can proceed in a latent form for a long time.

How to recognize tartar

It would seem that the answer to this question is obvious - just look into the cat's mouth and examine the deposits. However, in reality, everything turns out to be somewhat more complicated - the stone is not always located in a conspicuous place where it could be viewed without dental instruments. In addition, cats themselves sometimes react sharply to the owner's attempts to carefully examine their teeth, starting to escape.

The formation of calculus is accompanied by indirect manifestations, such as:

It can be quite difficult to guess whether a pet has tartar. That's why the best option to dispel your doubts will be a meeting with a veterinarian who will examine the cat and accurately describe the current state of his oral cavity.

Tartar treatment methods

Treatments for calculus vary depending on the conditions under which the cleaning is performed. As mentioned above, supragingival stones can be removed at home. It is better to entrust subgingival stones to the dentist, as this will ensure a more correct procedure. In this matter, the owners of pets are repelled from their financial resources, as well as from general well-being cat.

By the way! Regardless of what type of stone you find in your animal, it is highly recommended to take it to the dentist for routine diagnostics.

Removing stone at home

Stone removal at home is traditionally done using one of the following means:

Elixir Xident;
tomato paste;
dental scaler.

How to use these products in order to rid the cat of hardened deposits is described in the table.

Table 1. Methods for removing tartar in a cat at home

Tool	Mode of application
	You can buy Ksident at any nearest pharmacy, since this tool was originally created specifically for people. Xident softens tartar by direct contact with it. In order for this liquid to work, it is necessary to apply it to gauze or cotton wool and apply it to the problem area of the tooth for thirty seconds. After that, the best way to remove the remaining deposits is with a toothbrush for cats.
	the effect tomato paste similar to the effect on the Xident stone. For achievement positive result Apply the paste to a cotton pad and apply to tartar for half a minute. Tomato paste can also be used in preventive purposes and repeat the described procedure once or twice a week. It is advisable to choose high-quality manufacturers for this purpose.
	This instrument has a pointed tip and is used to scrape off calculus from the surface of the tooth. Before using the scaler, it is imperative to soften the stone, otherwise it will not give in to manipulation. At the end of the operation, the cat's gums are treated with Lugol to prevent their inflammation. Removing stone with a scaler is the least safe and most in a painful way of all, especially if the scaler is in the hands of a layman

Note that earlier the scaler was the main tool of dentists in the fight against tartar in cats. However, due to the fact that scraping the stone often ends in damage to the enamel and does not lead to a long-term effect, many modern veterinary clinics prefer to refuse this tool.

Removal of calculus in a veterinary clinic

Veterinary clinics offer two main ways to get rid of stones:

ultrasonic cleaning;
mechanical cleaning.

Ultrasonic cleaning

Ultrasonic cleaning is very popular among both humans and animals these days. The main advantage of ultrasound is that, unlike other dental instruments, it does not require strong pressure on tooth enamel, which allows you to keep it in the best possible form.

Due to the strength of its effect, ultrasound can penetrate even those parts of the teeth that no ordinary sclera can reach. In this regard, the effect of ultrasonic cleaning persists for a very long time and does not require frequent repeated visits to the dentist. However, cat owners should keep in mind that given view cleaning is not cheap.

Video - Cleaning a cat's teeth with an ultrasonic method

Mechanical cleaning

Mechanical cleaning is an aging option that dentists prefer to discard due to its lower effectiveness. It is this cleaning that includes scraping off the calculus from the surface of the tooth using the sclera, which we wrote about in the previous chapter. The main disadvantage of mechanical cleaning is that while ridding the cat of tartar, it promotes the formation of new ones by thinning the enamel.

The main advantage this method removal of calculus is its cheapness. The only question is what will be cheaper in the end - one high-quality but expensive ultrasonic cleaning, or a lot of cheap ones.

Features of cleaning

Regardless of which option for brushing your teeth you prefer, the cat will need to be anesthetized before starting the procedure. The reason for this is that both cleaning methods are painful enough for the pet. In turn, the dentist requires that the animal be securely fixed so that the specialist does not make a mistake with such delicate work.

Prevention of dental calculus

Although the formation of tartar is natural process, the pet owner can influence this process, slowing it down significantly. Compliance with preventive measures will significantly reduce the number of visits of the animal to the veterinary clinic.

the use of special pastes and toothbrushes designed for cats;
the inclusion of solid food in the pet's diet;
if necessary, the inclusion of Oral medicated feeds, which improve the condition of the teeth and the oral cavity in general;
complete refusal to feed the pet with sweets, even as a reward;
application special means anti-tartar (such as ProDen PlaqueOff);
routine check-ups with a veterinarian, which include an assessment general condition animal teeth.

About the types of toothbrushes for cats and their approximate cost can be read below.