Although dental exams are not usually required for cats, it may a good idea to have your American Longhair in for a checkup now and again especially if he is prone to tartar or plaque buildup on his gums. Key indicators of this are bad breath and trouble chewing or eating. Another indicator for the need for a dental exam could be swollen gums as well. This along with the unusually bad breath could signal gingivitis or other periodontal illnesses. Your vet will need to conduct a physical exam in order to determine a cause of the symptoms. During the dental exam your American Longhair cat will be sedated so that the vet can thoroughly check her teeth and gums for plaque, bacteria, etc. Your vet may take this opportunity to scrape plaque or calculus build-up from the teeth, pull rotted teeth and polish the teeth. Call your vet care Rochester, NY for further information.