At Home Feline Dental Care - Top "Flip the Lip" Tips

Pet dental care starts at home. As a cat parent, it’s important to be able to examine your cat’s teeth and gums and learn the signs to look for when it comes to the state of your cat’s mouth. By “flipping the lip” on a regular basis you will be able to detect and address issues before they progress, and help your kitty live pain-free. 

What does "Flip the Lip" mean?

While there is no official definition of the term, “Flip the Lip” refers to the act of lifting your pet’s lip in order to assess the overall condition of their mouth. Although your veterinarian can spot signs of dental diseases during your cat’s annual wellness exam, doing regular "flip the lip" checks at home is crucial in order to spot any emerging issues. Remember: Many dental problems in cats are preventable and treatable if caught early!

It is estimated that 50-90% of ALL adult cats have a dental health problem, with periodontal disease being the number one culprit. The good news is that most dental conditions are preventable and treatable if caught early. Basepaws’ Dental Health Test analyses more than 1,000 microbes in your cat’s mouth looking for disease signatures before they become visible to the naked eye. This knowledge arms the pet owner and the veterinarian with vital information for comprehensive dental care.

How do I "Flip the Lip" on my cat?

• “Flip the lip” when your cat is calm or relaxed (asleep works well too).
• Conduct a facial exam (check for eye or nasal discharge, examine the outside of the lips for swelling or inflammation, feel the upper and lower jaw for any signs of discomfort or swelling).
• Assess your cat’s mouth - softly lift up your cat’s lips to examine their mouth and teeth. Check the front and back teeth for tartar, plaque, and signs of tooth decay. (ie: bad breath, and tartar along the gumline).
• Take a good look at the molars in the back of the mouth as they are the most prone to plaque and tartar build-up. Also be sure to examine the gums for any redness, inflammation, or bleeding.
• Reward your cat! :) This can be by petting, playtime, food or treats.

What should I look for during at-home dental exams?

• Bad breath
• Redness or bleeding along the gum line
• Drooling, which may have some blood in it
• Difficulty chewing
• Pawing at the mouth
• Loose or missing teeth
• Facial swelling, especially under the eyes
• Nasal discharge
• Gum recession

Addressing early signs of dental disease with your cat’s veterinarian is important and should be done before they progress into serious issues. If you notice any changes in your cat’s behavior or mouth appearance, you should call your veterinarian and schedule an appointment.

Remember, cats are experts at hiding pain. Your cat can’t raise their paw and tell you their mouth hurts. Because of this ability to hide pain, usually, when they exhibit the common signs, the disease is advanced and needs medical attention. This makes dental biome testing so critical, especially for cats!