Gary - you might want to check with your vet as to the best type of Dental Treat for cats. They can be a great preventative.

1. Meditreats are very good; they are nutritious and they help the teeth, and are quite small. Your vet should carry them.
2. Using a special "dental" food as treats; they help keep the teeth clean. Greenies are good, but got a bashing lately, though I can't recall why. I would avoid commercial treats that are junk food and add "tartar control" as a selling point. (Pounce, Temptations, Whiskas etc)
3. Soft treats might encourage the buildup of tartar, which is what eventually leads to the following conditions.


WHAT IS GINGIVITIS?

Gingivitis is the inflammation and infection of the gums due to both plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth. It will be evident by the gums being red and puffy, and they may be bleeding. The cat may show signs of having a sore mouth, drool more than normal and have bad breath. If left untreated gingivitis will lead to periodontitis. Gingivitis can also cause cavities along the gum line called neck lesion. These are very painful and should have fillings put in them or the teeth will be lost to decay.

WHAT IS PERIODONTITIS?

The bacteria that get under the gum line and cause gingivitis, if not treated, will cause deeper infection and breakdown of the structures and tissues that hold the teeth in the root socket. This is called periodontitis or periodontal disease. At this point the gums will be receding and there will likely be some bleeding and a foul odour from the mouth. There will often be pus present under the gum. If left untreated the infection will cause the bone of the tooth socket to resorb and recede. This results in the root of the tooth becoming exposed. There is a pocket where food and bacteria collect. Soon the tooth will become loose and cause severe pain and will have to be extracted. The bacteria causing the infection can get into bloodstream causing a bacteremia or blood poisoning. This can lead to serious problems such as heart and kidney disease.

Some cats can develop another severe dental disease called stomatitis, which is the formation of painful ulcers in the mouth. This condition can accompany severe gingivitis and periodontitis, or it can occur because of other diseases such as calicivirus, feline leukemia virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus. Every cat with stomatitis should be tested for these viruses.