have you tried giving them those tarter control treats?

I did once ask my vet this question and he says that they dont know
the difference between cruelty and similar pain that happens from
necessary vet and other treatments, however I have my doubts:

There are many unpleasant things I have had to do for the good of my
cats that made them very unhappy or hurt them over the years.  

Including, baths, Having to rub creams (prescribed by vet) on wounds
and another time on an infected anus, having to force feed pills 3
times a day for a week, and at one stage having to bath both cats
daily (for a week) with a special shampoo in order to rid them of
ringworm.  Also having to take the kittens temperature (rectally) 3
times a day after it was noted by the vet that his temperature was a
bit high and needed to be monitored, and him brought back immediately
if it didnt drop.  (fortunately it did drop and all was well)

In almost every case though, after the unpleasant procedure is
finished and the cats are set free, they don't seem to hold a grudge,
they are friendly, affectionate and often even purr, so i do strongly
think they understand that while they dont like what you are doing to
them,  you aren't being mean to them

When I do these "necessary evil" things however, I do try and stroke
the cat, and talk to it lovingly as well, I do think it helps.


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As for the tartar,

I simply scrape the tartar off the teeth of both my cats about once a
year.  This isn't as easy as it sounds and needs practice and patience
to get right, but it works very well and is effective in my opinion

I would advise great care in this process though, and find it best to
do it bit by bit over, say 4 sessions  (one a day)

In my experience brushing is a real pain, and i did try it for a while
with a fingerbrush and animal toothpaste from the vets, but it didnt
help the problem and was VERY VERY unpopular with the cat.

it also didnt seem to do much to stop the tartar returning too.