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Lots of articles on the 'net of course but I thought this one, by Dorwest Herbs (herbs & natural rememdies for pets) was interesting - especially the part where it says chewing raw food will help keep the teeth healthy. Makes sense doesn't it. (now even more keen on making sure the kits have at least some raw meat to gnaw. Our old cats used to have a rabbit portion each every saturday ... they spent an hour or more gnawing and the rest of the day washing and sleeping; like being in the wild?)
Sorry - I prattled! Here's the article
Healthy Teeth & Dental Hygiene For Cats
By Mary Boughton of Dorwest Herbs
Vice Chairman of the British Herbal Medicine Association's Veterinary Committee
Vice-chairman of the National Office of Animal Health's Companion Animal Sub-group
Good dental hygiene is extremely important for the health of your cat. The soft foods that are more often fed to animals these days tend not to provide the abrasive action necessary to keep the teeth clean and the gums as healthy as they should be. Raw meat diets are always the recommended food for natural health but in this context are especially useful as raw meat contains enzymes which help to keep the teeth clean. Cats kept on these natural diets will usually suffer less from teeth problems and have whiter, healthier teeth.
Gingivitis is a condition mainly seen in cats and the smaller breeds of dog. It is a minor infection of the gums with chronic inflammation which can result in the removal of teeth in extreme cases. It may be necessary for the veterinary surgeon to de-scale the teeth to remove any tartar that has built up and following this a good dental hygiene regime should be implemented. Regular, preferably weekly, cleaning of the teeth should be carried out to keep the teeth and gums healthy. Use a toothpaste that is especially formulated for veterinary use, being slightly more abrasive than ordinary toothpaste - more like the paste your dentist uses. Animals are not very keen on having anything that froths in their mouth, so the toothpaste should be low-foaming to cause less stress to the animal. Veterinary toothpastes usually have a meaty flavour to make it more acceptable and will help to turn the whole dental experience into a pleasure for both animal and owner.
If the infection is acute or severe antibiotics may be required, but thereafter it is helpful to give veterinary garlic tablets at the dose recommended by the manufacturer to help prevent recurrence in animals who are susceptible to this condition. Gingivitis may occur as a consequence of a more serious condition and therefore if it persists or becomes acute, it is essential to consult your veterinary practice for advice.
Tartar is the hard, chalky deposit that forms on the teeth which can not only become unsightly but enables bacteria to multiply and infect the gums and teeth, leading to bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth and sometimes more serious problems. Recently the homeopathic remedy Fragaria 3C has received a lot of publicity regarding its effectiveness in both reducing and preventing tartar build up on the teeth. It is made from a mother tincture of the fruit and root of Wood Strawberry. It has a treatment and a preventative role to play in dental health as results indicate that it both helps tartar removal and prevents future build up. For animals with tartar build up on the teeth it can be given on a daily basis, usually for about one month, to soften the tartar on encrusted teeth and so make it easier to remove Thereafter, giving just one pillule of Fragaria 3C once a week will help prevent the formation of further deposits and so is also ideal following de-scaling to prevent the build-up of new tartar. This will not only improve the appearance of the teeth but also cause less stress for your cat by making the weekly teeth brushing sessions less arduous and the teeth quicker and easier to clean. Nevertheless, regular brushing is the basis of good dental hygiene and if you are concerned about your cat's teeth at any time you should consult your veterinary surgeon.
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- I would get her and her brother checked out by your own vet and before you try introducing them to Moli. Seriously.