Tartar formation Part 1 - What you can do yourself

One Australian study found 60% of all suffer from domestic cats over the age of three years, dental disease ^1. Another study reported that 70% of all cats over two years are affected ^2. So are diseases of the mouth is the most common form of illness in cats ^3. Because the consequences of heavy tartar dramatic and until complete loss of teeth and severe chronic inflammation in the mouth can lead to the quality of life significantly affect the cat, you should of dental hygiene in cats special attention (more on the consequences of "When the Teeth problems ").

What can you do against tartar do?

Mechanical cleaning

Brushing

Many cat owners, the idea that her cat teeth cleaning, unfortunately, still completely insane. It is daily brushing is the most effective form of mechanical removal of tooth surfaces ^4. Surely you can not every cat teeth cleaning. I think of so many semi-free-goers, the self-stroking sometimes too much and are close to the office one way or another tiger, which is already in the brush in a reinforced claws scratching brush transforms. For these dominions should be there with the best brush your teeth, he did not try - to protect their own health and the nerve of the cat!

In cats, which are easy to maintain a relaxed stroke and without any problems allow brush, it can with the brush your teeth, but try. Especially young animals usually can easily be accustomed (instructions follow in another article).

Since the removal of plaque mainly due to the mechanical effect of the toothbrush is made, the application of toothpaste is not necessarily required ^4, but errors in the tooth cleaning out. Frequently, even the toothpaste abrasives, enzymes or effective antimicrobial substances added, in addition to the mechanical Renigung an additional chemical cleaning effect. Some toothpastes contain such a high proportion of abrasives that even without additional brushes can be used.

In no case shall any toothpaste used for human consumption. The foaming ingredients for animals are usually very unpleasant, included essential oils may become smaller for the harmful organism and the fluoride content is available in many toothpastes from the human area is too high for cats, so that poisoning can occur.

Kauartikel

While it is for dogs almost unüberschauberen market to Kauartikeln every size, shape and texture, there are Kauarttikel for cats rather difficult to obtain. Kauartikel as many snacks advertised cats have an insufficient mechanical Reinungseffekt. Zahnreinungs-issued Kauartikel for cats get almost only when veterinarian or online shops (eg Albrecht Denticur Kaurolls, Bayer BayoPet Kauröllchen, Kauröllchen Virbac CET). In various studies have shown that use of such Kauartikel the formation of tartar is inhibited ^{5 6,} although the effect was not as strong as that of a mechanical cleaning with the toothbrush ^4.

Even though the vast diversity of Kauartikel for dog owners for cats may seem tempting, you should use on cats very carefully. Some of the Prdoukte for dogs are too hard and too big for the teeth of the cat, so the risk of breaking the teeth. While the teeth of the dog is designed also to breaking bones of larger animals, is the Katzengebiß tend to prey made of mouse in which the teeth can be relatively easily penetrate. So are optimally Kauartikel, which are so large that they can not be swallowed whole heruntergeschluckt and the pressure from the teeth down. The mechanical cleaning of the teeth is caused by that tooth coverings by repeated intrusions of teeth in the Kauartikel or looted during crunch angestreift be. Unlike human teeth, the teeth of the cat is biting and ripping at and not to chew.

Apart from industrially manufactured Kauartikeln other food can be used to be zerbissen and do not offer too much resistance. Optimally are solid pieces of meat such as beef stew (in no case standard used raw pork!). Who is to overcome, it can his cat and also offer day-old chicks or mice, which are frozen for example through the reseller for reptiles (eg ms reptiles) or specialized feed shipper (eg, dog & Sports feed market) can relate. Even if the idea for many people initially uncomfortable, this corresponds to the natural nutrition Models of the cat pretty well.

In no case should you Kauartikel as bone, because this too hard and too brittle for a cat teeth and tooth fractures or injuries can cause.

Fodder

Texture

The studies on the impact Kauartikeln of the formation of dental records and tartar lead logically to the question of whether one does not equal an exclusive food for cats can use the mechanical Reinung teeth over. Accordingly now offer almost all producers fodder with the promise that it would reduce tartar. Most bear names such feed additives, such as "orally", "denti" or "dental" and boast that the tartar formation in comparison to other feed significantly reduce them.

This effect is supported by numerous studies ^{7 8,} with one critical question should be, by whom such studies are funded. , The principal is a feed manufacturer, the probability is high that results interpreted according to a dental cleansing effect is found.

The dental cleansing effect of special fodder based in the rule that the feed via a PECIFIC s texture and shape features. The so-called "Kibbles", the individual Trockenfutterbröckchen are so big and shaped so that the cat before they must chew Swallowing. This should fibrous ingredients the surface of the teeth cleaned. Many Trockenfutterkibbles are so brittle that they shatter when you bite Be or so small that the cat can swallow it unzerbissen.

Even if the feeding of fodder only the tooth surfaces are cleaned, which is to feed chunks rub is the cleansing effect is still higher than for exclusive Naßfuttergabe ^9. This effect can be next to the mechanical effect on the increased salivation chewing of fodder due, because saliva enzymes and antimicrobial substances.

Detention is well aware that the slightest wet feed, conventional fodder, and a somewhat stronger special feed the highest dental cleansing effect under the sole feed has, but because of the special characteristics of the cats teeth (focus on biting and tearing, not to chew) behind Kauartikeln and especially cleaning with a toothbrush remains back.

Ingredients

Apart form and texture can Diätfuttermittel special additives, the dental cleansing effect support. Partly on the lining of micro-crystals polyphosphates upset, rub the plaque. In addition, anitbakterielle or anti-inflammatory substances or additives, the immune system to support ^10.

Chemical Products

Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine is also in the human dental widespread substance that in many mouthwash containing (eg Chlorhexamed). Chlorhexidine stops the development of bacteria and töted those in higher concentrations. In addition, it acts against fungal infections and has a weak effect against some viruses. Chlorhexidine liable good at the mouth and not by the body. The only side effect is the formation of a brownish rubber on the teeth, but it easily can be removed. Moreover, the bitter taste of chlorhexidine of cats is difficult to tolerate.

As a cat is a bad mouth rinse with a mouthwash may miss, there are spzezielle chlorhexidinhaltige preparations for animals. These are special toothpastes (eg Virbac Parodongyl toothpaste), or pastes that are applied to the gums can be applied (eg Dentisept).

Enzymes

Glucose-Oxidase/Lactoperoxidase

In the saliva of dogs and humans are enzymes called Glucose-Oxidase/Lactoperoxidase-Komplexes contain a natural defense mechanism against germs form. in cats could Enyzmkomplex this has not been demonstrated. Also, the effect on the formation of tooth surfaces is not secured ^11. Enzymhaltige products are usually in the form of toothpaste available (eg Albrecht Denticur toothpaste).

Lysozyme

Lysozyme in saliva are included. They kill bacteria by using their cell walls dissolve.

Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin is a baktierien and fungicidal glycoprotein, which among other things contained in saliva. In 1977 have demonstrated that one of the Lactoferrin kariesverursachende germs in the mouth of man kills ^12. Even if cats could in some studies already have a positive effect to be ^13.

Zinc

Zinc acts as chlorhexidine antimicrobial, but it is but tasteless. Moreover, zinc promotes wound healing. The disadvantage is that the use of zinc pastes too strong can Salivary education.

Vitamin C / Ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid plays an important role in building the tooth enamel. Ascorbic acid is missing, there will be serious deficiencies, among other things, to the teeth, gums and the teeth on restraint apparatus in the form of edema, degeneration, bleeding and loosening of teeth felt. Studies show that the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency in vitamin C intake of decline. Moreover, vitamin C reduces bleeding from the inflamed gums and antibacterial effects. Disadvantage in the administration of vitamin C is that free Ascorbinsäuere due to the strong ph-lowering effect of the attacks tooth enamel.

Literature

Main sources

Katrin ELSBETT (2004). Studies on the effect of vitamin C and epigallocatechin gallate in combination with Lactoferrin on the dental health of the cat. Inaugural dissertation for obtaining the veterinary doctorate of Veterinary Medicine Faculty of the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich. Online at http://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/2786/1/Elsbett_Katrin.pdf

Sonja Gorißen (2004). The use of Lactoferrin and Epigallocatechingallat in the prophylaxis periodontal diseases of the cat. Inaugural dissertation for obtaining the veterinary doctorate of Veterinary Medicine Faculty of the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich. Online at http://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/2596/1/Gorissen_Sonja.pdf

Other references

1. Clarke, DE and A. Cameron (1998). Relationship between diet, dental calculus and periodontal disease in domestic and Feral cats in Australia. Aust Vet J 76 (10): 690-693.
2. Johnston, N. (1998). Acquired feline oral cavity disease. In Pract 4: 171-179.
3. Dr. Markus Eickhoff. My cat has a toothache? Online PDF.
4. Gorrel C. (2000). Home Care: Products and Techniques. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 15: 226-231.
5. Gorrel C., G. Inskeep, Inskeep T. (1998). Benefits of a `` Chew dental hygiene on the periodontal health of Cats. J Vet Dent 15: 135-138.
6. Ingham KE, Gorrel C., Bierer TL (2002). Effect of a dental Chew on dental substrate and Gingivitis in Cats. J Vet Dent 19: 201-204.
7. Logan EI, Heffer JJ (1996). Dental and oral hygiene by feeding measures: survey methodology and results in the cat. Dental hygiene in dogs and cats, Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.: 37-41.
8. Logan EI, Boyce EN, M. Berg, L. Coffman, Heffer JJ (1997). Effects of dietary form on plaque and calculus accumulation and gingival health in cats, methodology and results. 5th World Veterinary Dental Congress, Birmingham, England, 1997.
9. Watson, ADJ (1994). Diet and periodontal disease in dogs and cats. Australian Veterinary Journal 7: 313-318.
10. Gorrel C. (2001). The effects of diet on periodontal disease. 26th World Congress WSAVA, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (2001).
11. Tenovuo J., M. Lumikari, Soukka T. (1991). Salivary lysozyme, Lactoferrin and peroxidase: antibacterial effects on cariogenic bacteria and clinical applications in preventive dentistry. Proc Finn Dent Soc 87: 197-208.
12. Arnold, RR, MF Cole and e. al (1977). A bactericidal effect for human Lactoferrin. Science 197 (4300): 263-265.
13. R. Sato, Inanami O., Y. Tanaka, Takase M., Y. Naito (1996). Oral administration of bovine Lactoferrin for treatment of intractable stomatitis in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-positive and FIV-negative cats. Am J Vet Res 57: 1443-1446.

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