During his exam, the vet noticed that he had a few broken teeth. The put him under anesthesia and performed a dental cleaning. While he was out, they decided that three of his fractured teeth were unsalvageable. They were pulled.
Humans tend to get their teeth cleaned by a dentist once or twice a year. We brush them everyday, and we even use mouthwashes and floss to keep our mouths healthy. Pets, on the other hand, do not have the luxury to care for their own teeth. They rely on us to do the right thing. Your cat may have a mouth full of pain, but they will just learn to live with it. Is that fair?
If left untreated, dental problems in cats can lead to other health issues. Many cats actually pass away from heart infections that derived from bacteria in their mouths. We can prevent this by having their teeth examined and cleaned. I would suggest to ask your vet about your cat's teeth at their next appointment.
The day after the cleaning and extractions, my kitty seemed much happier. He has been purring ever since, and he is eating food like normal. And his breath? It no longer stinks. In fact, I do not smell it at all. Now it is time to have my other cat's teeth cleaned as well.