I have had cats for many years now. Not many at one time, it is just that I am old! hehehehehehe. Anyway, I have had a few of my cats' teeth cleaned from time to time, but vowed this time (2 new cats) that I would being a weekly teeth cleaning routine. They don't mind it now. I clip their nails too! So what I would do is have their teeth cleaned (not cheap) and then get them into a routine of cleaning them every so often. The toothpaste etc is not expensive and they rather like the flavors! I use one flavor as a treat, to lure them into the process and then the other flavor to do the deed. They don't mind it and their teeth and gums are fine right now. Gotta stay on top of the teeth! Good luck. By the way, any pet supply place sells kits to clean cat's teeth.