Cats are meticulous self-groomers, cleaning every patch from whisker to tail, but their dental health requires a human hand. Yet cats don't appreciate curious fingers exploring their canines and gums. Getting them to open wide and say "Ahhh" takes not only practice and planning, but knowledge of what's happening in feline mouths. Like their human companions, cats can suffer from bad breath, gum disease, tartar and plaque buildup, and discolored or abscessed teeth. Cats can also benefit greatly from preventive oral hygiene to keep gums pink and teeth pearly.