Cats rely heavily on their teeth to eat nutritious foods, groom themselves, and play. Unfortunately, tooth decay can cause cats to experience tooth pain and a loss of appetite. A cat dentist can help you keep your cat's teeth healthy. Here are four things that a cat dentist can provide for your cat:

1. Dental Exams

Like humans, cats can benefit from regular dental exams. Healthy cats need to visit the dentist less frequently than humans. Ideally, you should take your cat to the dentist every two years. A cat dentist will administer general anesthesia to your cat. The anesthetic will put your cat to sleep, which will allow the dentist to safely examine their teeth. Feline tooth exams are comfortable for cats, who will wake up once their exam is finished.

2. Tooth Extractions

Cats sometimes need to have teeth extracted. When a tooth becomes infected, extraction is often the best solution. Cats can cope with missing teeth quite easily. Your cat likely won't miss the teeth that are extracted. In fact, extracting decayed teeth will relieve your cat's dental pain. Sometimes cats retain their baby teeth into adulthood, which can cause discomfort due to overcrowding in their mouths. Extracting baby teeth will make your cat comfortable.

3. Medication

Sometimes cats develop dental abscesses. Abscesses can occur when a cat's tooth becomes infected. Gum disease can also lead to infections. Infected teeth usually need to be extracted, and periodontal disease can be treated using dental scaling procedures. However, your cat may need medication as well. Antibiotics can clear up infections in your cat's mouth. A cat dentist can prescribe medication to help your cat recover. All you need to do is administer your cat's medication according to the vet's instructions.

4. Home Dental Care Tips

Regular dental appointments will allow your cat's dentist to professionally clean their teeth, remove decayed teeth, and diagnose cavities. However, cat owners need to do their part to safeguard their cats' teeth as well. A cat dentist can provide you with home dental care tips that will help you look after your pet's teeth. Brushing your cat's teeth daily will help to keep cavities at bay. Your cat's dentist can recommend feline-safe toothpaste that tastes pleasant to cats.

Your cat's dentist can also alert you to warning signs of dental problems. Bad breath and a loss of interest in food may signify tooth decay. If you notice these symptoms, you should schedule a dentist appointment for your cat.

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