How hard is too hard when cleaning my cat's teeth with gauze?

I have found that a lot of cats will allow you to wrap your finger in gauze and gently rub the gum line that way. If they will tolerate that it may be a bit more effective then just your bare finger. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Tora. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. He will need to be anesthetized to have his mouth properly evaluated. The gingivitis present along his gumline is significant and there is a chance that tooth would need to be extracted. This can only be determined under anesthesia. His mouth is likely painful which could be why he bit you. Brushing is great once the mouth is cleaned and the gumline is healthy again. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Cassie. I think it's a great idea for you to start brushing her teeth, and that can help with the gingivitis. Be sure to use a pet toothpaste, as human ones are toxic for cats. You can get a pet toothbrush and paste at a pet store. I'd brush her teeth three times a week. I hope this helps!

That looks like pretty painful gingivitis. There also may be some lesions on the neck of the canine tooth (FORL). Your vet will inspect the whole mouth and may suggest a tooth cleaning under anesthesia where the teeth are also cleaned underneath the gingiva. Unfortunately the teeth can look very clean, but underneath the gingiva bacteria congregate and cause tooth decay, inflammation, and, in serious cases, heart and kidney disease, This is not an emergency, but should be addressed soon.

Once your kitty had his dental cleaning , brushing his teeth with enzymatic tooth paste will prevent the build up of tartar and gingivitis. Brushing his teeth while he still has the excessive tartar will not remove it and also hurt the gums, as the gingivitis is painful. You can use water additives, but in my opinion they do not do much for the breath and his teeth. The bad breath is caused by bacteria in the tartar and below the gums. It will go away as soon as the teeth are cleaned.

Gingivitis presents as redness and swelling of the gums. The black line you see may be tartar on the tooth itself or, if on the gum, natural pigmentation. You can try a small fingerbrush that may be tolerated a bit better. Daily brushing is recommended for maximum benefit. If he is a chewer, you can provide various chew toys and chewable treats.

What you're describing does sound like Merri has some dental disease. The red line along her gums is likely inflammation that is the result of bacteria under the gumline. I commend you for brushing her teeth once or twice weekly. That is more than most cat owner are able or willing to do. I would recommend trying to find other dental health products that may help decrease her dental disease. There are a number of products that the Veterinary Oral Health Council has tested and approved for cats to help prevent and treat dental disease. I am attaching a link to their approved products below. http://www.vohc.org/VOHCAcceptedProductsTable_Cats.pdf You might consider trying a water additive like Health Mouth and finding a dental treat that Merri likes in addition to continuing your regular brushing. If there is bleeding when you brush or Merri seems painful, then I would recommend having your veterinarian examine her mouth. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.