By four weeks of age, kittens have their incisors, the 12 small teeth in the front of the mouth. At six weeks, all 26 deciduous teeth are in.

Kitten teeth should be white and clean, with the upper incisors meeting the lower incisors evenly. The gums and mouth tissue should be pink; a pale color is a sign of anemia.

Between 11 and 30 weeks, kittens lose their deciduous teeth and gain 30 permanent teeth. During this period, a kitten may eat slightly less because of sore gums.

Dry, crunchy foods such as Purina® Dog Chow® brand dog food, Purina® Biscuits® brand dog snack and Purina® Cat Chow® brand cat food can be helpful in keeping teeth clean. As the pet chews, particles from the dry food scrape against the teeth, acting like a toothbrush to help remove plaque. Still, there is no substitute for regular dental care.

If possible, accustom your kitten to having its teeth cleaned on a regular basis at home. Gently rub the pet's teeth with a soft cloth or a child's soft toothbrush dipped in a solution of baking soda and water. Do not use toothpaste formulated for humans. Because pets swallow rather than spit out the preparation, this can cause stomach upset.