Common cat health problem start in your cat’s mouth. Mouth infections can migrate to vital organs such as the heart and liver, possibly causing life-threatnening complications.
Start by frequently touching your cat’s face, mouth, and gums, to get him used to the idea of your hands near those sensitive locations. Once he’s comfortable with this, graduate to a cotton-tipped swab, dipped into any oral antiseptic, especially prepared for animals, or a liquid tooth-cleaning formular or toothpaste made especially for cats. To start with, you can even use plain water or the juice from a can of tuna. Never use toothpaste or mouthwash made for humans; these products can irritate and burn your cat’s mouth and stomach, or make him very sick.

Another option is rubbing your cat’s teeth and gums with a gauze pad moistened with dental paste or liquid especially for cats. Use a specially made medicated pad (available from cat-supply stores and catalogs), or wrap a piece of sterile gauze around your finger and dip it in a cat-safe, nonfoaming toothpaste or cleaner. Ask your veterinarian to demonstrate the proper way to brush your cat’s teeth.
If your cat or kitten tolerates his teeth or gums inspected, you should actually be able to brush its teeth, using a specially formulated nonfoaming cat toothpaste favored to the feline taste. sold with a small toothbrush (often a soft rubber one that fits over your fingertip), the cooperative kitten can have its teeth brushed several times each month, to help keep plaque to a minimum.