Hydrogen peroxide for gums

adering

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One of my two perfect cats has bad teeth. Most of them were pulled years ago (really, a textbook case of meth mouth). At that time, the vet said, with the usual cluck-cluck of the tongue, "Oh, those fangs should probably come out too. They're just going to get infected too eventually." (These vets.)
That was about six years ago. The fangs (top and bottom) are still there, and the two lower-adjacent teeth as well. My cat derives great enjoyment from grooming his claws with those six remaining teeth in the front of his mouth. But the upper fangs do seem to accumulate some white pus at the gum line. I use enzyme toothpaste, but I would like to know if it's safe to use hydrogen peroxide on a Q-tip to disinfect that combat zone between his gum line and his fangs. Like I said, he really seems to enjoy claw-grooming via those few remaining teeth, so I want to keep them as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
 

white shadow

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Hi adering.

My all-time-favourite Veterinary Dentist (specialist, and the very first one, I think) has this to say to Veterinarians about hydrogen peroxide:
  • "hydrogen peroxide can be too harsh for the gums and must not be swallowed."
  • "peroxide can cause gingival ulceration, candidal overgrowth and enhance the effects of carcinogens"
  • "peroxide is an effective emetic" (translation: it causes vomiting)
  • "foaming can upset patient"
Site: toothvet.ca

"White pus"...? Pus is the product of infection. So, hopefully it isn't pus! If there's any doubt (and, if he were here), I'd have him examined by a competent Vet.

If you have trust issues there (did I hear a hint of that?), there are Veterinary Dental specialists available: American Veterinary Dental College.
.
 

LTS3

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I wouldn't risk it. Why don't you buy a pet oral rinse or gel to use on the gums instead? Or try brushing your cat's teeth with pet toothpaste?er
 

Willowy

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Yeah, the amount you put on a q-tip wouldn't be enough to be toxic, but it may be enough to cause vomiting, and you don't want that! I agree that a pet-specific dental rinse would be better.
 
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