My cat has gingivitis. Will brushing or water additives help?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 3 years old | 5 lbs
Whenever I've taken my cat to the vet, they mention that he has gingivitis. He does need a cleaning which I intend to do, but I'm still saving money for it since they need blood work on him. How well will brushing his teeth with cat toothpaste help him? Is it safe to use water additives for his teeth and breath?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 10th, 2017
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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 3rd, 2017
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums around the teeth. In cats, it can be quite serious and cause significant pain. Sometimes a dental cleaning to remove the tartar from the teeth will cure the problem, but in some cats it becomes a recurring issue that needs more aggressive treatment. In the worse cases, we will remove all the teeth in an effort to make the cat more comfortable. If Tyson has never had a dental cleaning by a veterinarian before, it is probably about time. Pets aren't as prone to dental disease as humans since they don't eat much sugar, but if they can still produce tartar. Routine brushing of your cat's teeth can prevent some of the tartar buildup, but it will not be able to remove what is there. If you would like to confirm your vet's diagnosis of gingivitis, I recommend taking Tyson to a second vet for examination. Here is a good article: https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-things-every-dog-owner-should-know-about-dental-care
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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