Kitten Teeth: Dental Care for Kittens

Maintaining healthy kitten teeth does not have to be hard. Routine brushing and examination lessen the chance that your kitten will develop dental problems. Lose of teeth through kitten teething, however, is a normal process that all kittens will go through at some point in time.

Healthy kittens have healthy feline teeth. Oral health is an indicator of your kitten’s overall health. Problem or infected teeth can be a reflection of problems with your kittens respiratory, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. In fact, diabetic kittens are more likely to develop cavities and gum disease than non-diabetic felines.

Diet and Oral Health

However, most kitten oral health problems are created by dietary problems. Kittens’ teeth were designed to catch and eat wild prey. Wild food has porous bones and tough skin that aids in cleaning. The abrasive action of wild prey removes tartar and plaque on teeth.

Present kitten diets have less cleaning power. Many kittens are fed diets of wet or semi-moist food. In addition, some kitten food brands may be higher in carbohydrates than what is required for kittens’ dietary needs. The sugars in carbohydrates can cause problems to develop.

Feeding your kitten a bit of dry food helps to remove some excess tartar and plaque on the teeth. However, your kitten’s teeth need more care than lone dietary modifications. They need extra TLC! For now, let’s look at kitten teeth development.

Kitten Teeth Development

Photo by XeuBix/Josh Giovo @ flickr.com

Just like human babies, kittens are born without teeth. On average, the first set of baby teeth (deciduous) start to come in around two weeks of age. Adult teeth (permanent) come in by 8-10 months. Like many predatory animals, felines have 4 types of teeth: incisors, canine, premolars, and molars. Incisors are used to chop or nibble food. Canine teeth tear into prey. Premolars crush and grind food. Molars shear and grind food.

Below is a general timeline of kitten teeth development by age. Keep in mind all kittens are individuals and some may develop faster or slower than others.

26 Deciduous Teeth
• 12 Incisors—2 weeks
• 4 Canine—4 weeks
• 10 Premolars—6 weeks

  30 Permanent Teeth

• 12 Incisors—4 months
• 4 Canine—6 months
• 10 Premolars—8 months
• 4 Molars—Present only in adult cats or older teenage kittens

Kittens go through a teething process as new teeth emerge and old teeth naturally fall out. Kittens may experience mouth pain, sore bleeding gums, and loose teeth. You may notice that your kitten seems more irritable and refuses to eat. Feed your kittens soft non-abrasive foods while it’s teething. There are also kitten teething rings available to help numb your kitten’s gums.

Brushing Your Kitten’s Teeth

Make brushing your kitten’s teeth as painless as possible by starting early in their life. Don’t wait until your cat is nine years old and expect them to take to brushing easily! Begin by getting your kitten use to have you touch around its mouth. Once its use to a human hand near its mouth, put a little food on your finger and let your kitten lick if off. If your kitten tolerates that, then see if you can touch its gums or teeth. Don’t forget to reward your kitten for being cooperative. Make the process as gradual as possible. Some kitten can tolerate more touch than others.

When brushing your kitten’s teeth, use a cat toothbrush, a child’s small toothbrush, or a finger brush. Try to brush twice a week. Use feline toothpaste as the fluoride in human tooth paste can make kittens sick and cause liver problems. You don’t have to brush inside of the teeth just outside. Your kitten’s tongue will clean inside the teeth. See your vet if there is severe tartar or plaque present. Your kitten may need to be sedated to remove the buildup.

Kitten Dental Problems

While brushing, examine your kitten’s teeth for any abnormalities. Notice if your kitten has any problem sore areas in the mouth, chipped teeth, missing teeth, or swollen gums. Here are common problems to look out for.

Bad Breath

No one expects kitten breath to smell minty fresh. But, extremely bad breath is cause for concern. Causes of bad breath include diabetes, infections, lung, sinus, and liver problems. Your kitten’s diet may also a culprit. Also, teething can cause bad breath. Ramp up your kitten’s oral care and fix the underlying problem.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include sore bleeding gums, plaque, and tartar. Fortunately, gingivitis can be reversed in its early stages. Your kitten’s teeth will need a professional cleaning and an at home dental hygiene routine.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis the progression of gingivitis and is involves the breakdown of tissue that supports the teeth. It may involve infection of the gums. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis is not reversible. Signs and symptoms include mouth pain, severe gum erosion, and swollen gums. Periodontitis will most likely require removal of the kitten’s affected teeth and possible antibiotics to resolve any underlying infection.

Cavities

Fortunately, cavities are rare in kittens because of their low sugar diets. If your kitten gets a cavity, the tooth will need removal.

Broken or Missing Teeth

Kittens love to chew and bite on objects. Broken kitten teeth can occur from biting on hard toys, chewing on bones, or getting into fights. As with cavities, broken teeth will have to be removed by the vet.

Healthy Teeth Tips

• Add kitten specific products to your kitten’s drinking water to prevent tartar
• Don’t give your kitten hard chews or toys to play with
• Make sure you kitten gets enough calcium and phosphorus in its diet

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