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I'm really confused right now, but going with what my vet said unless I hear otherwise from more than just a video.
My new cat has juvenile gingivitis: she has a thin red line next to her teeth on her gums. I watched a Cornell University video on how to brush teeth, and my vet did say I should start brushing her teeth. I'm getting her acquainted with the toothpaste, but unfortunately, the tooth brush hasn't arrived yet, and none of the local shops had the right kind, so I'll start on that as soon as it comes. My vet basically said to keep brushing her teeth, and that we would watch it. She said a professional cleaning was not necessary yet.
The video, though, said that this stage of gingivitis could be reversed with a dental procedure. A lot of sources I read said that if the gingivitis wasn't treated aggressively when young, it could cause major problems later, including losing her teeth, and that she'd have to have professional cleanings twice a year. The Cornell video said that once it progresses (if it progresses) to periodontitis, you can't reverse it.
I don't want to do anything that really isn't necessary, but I also don't want to have to worry about her losing teeth. In addition to brushing her teeth, I've added a dental supplement to one of her meals, give her dental chews (CET), and am waiting on a chew toy that was recommended on another thread. I'm also looking into giving her cut up chicken wings to gnaw on, but I'm still worried about bone pieces and internal injuries.
The vet was pretty firm about not needing any extra work, but what do the rest of you think? Should I be more firm about asking for something more? What experiences (if any) have you had with this condition? Will it go away on its own? Will it just stay the same, with no real major problems other than the inflammation (and if so, although I've read the inflammation isn't painful, how do we know?)? Or will it get worse even with daily cleanings if she doesn't get additional dental procedures?
My new cat has juvenile gingivitis: she has a thin red line next to her teeth on her gums. I watched a Cornell University video on how to brush teeth, and my vet did say I should start brushing her teeth. I'm getting her acquainted with the toothpaste, but unfortunately, the tooth brush hasn't arrived yet, and none of the local shops had the right kind, so I'll start on that as soon as it comes. My vet basically said to keep brushing her teeth, and that we would watch it. She said a professional cleaning was not necessary yet.
The video, though, said that this stage of gingivitis could be reversed with a dental procedure. A lot of sources I read said that if the gingivitis wasn't treated aggressively when young, it could cause major problems later, including losing her teeth, and that she'd have to have professional cleanings twice a year. The Cornell video said that once it progresses (if it progresses) to periodontitis, you can't reverse it.
I don't want to do anything that really isn't necessary, but I also don't want to have to worry about her losing teeth. In addition to brushing her teeth, I've added a dental supplement to one of her meals, give her dental chews (CET), and am waiting on a chew toy that was recommended on another thread. I'm also looking into giving her cut up chicken wings to gnaw on, but I'm still worried about bone pieces and internal injuries.
The vet was pretty firm about not needing any extra work, but what do the rest of you think? Should I be more firm about asking for something more? What experiences (if any) have you had with this condition? Will it go away on its own? Will it just stay the same, with no real major problems other than the inflammation (and if so, although I've read the inflammation isn't painful, how do we know?)? Or will it get worse even with daily cleanings if she doesn't get additional dental procedures?
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