Dental disease in cats: an overview
Overview
Dental (tooth and gum) disease is a very common problem in
cats, especially as they get older.
Dental problems are often very painful and left without
treatment, can cause problems such as kidney disease and
heart disease.
Most cats continue to eat even when they are in pain, so it’s
important to keep an eye out for signs of a problem.
As well as checking your cat at home, they should have their
mouth checked by your vet at least once a year (at their
vaccination).
Tooth brushing, tooth gels and special diets can help keep
your cat’s mouth healthy.
Book an appointment with your vet if you notice any problems
with your cat’s mouth.
General information
The UK is a nation of cat lovers, but none of us like our feline friends
to have bad breath! Unfortunately, dental disease is a common
problem in pet cats, especially as they get older. This is mostly due
to a lack of tooth brushing but can also be caused by:
Age - dental disease is much more common in older cats due
to wear and tear throughout life.
Diet - an inappropriate diet can increase the chance of dental
disease.
Breed - purebred cats such as Persian, Maine Coon, Burmese
and Siamese are more likely to suffer from dental disease.
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Retained baby teeth - if these baby teeth don’t fall out when
they are supposed to (from around 3months), they can trap
food and bacteria. Your vet might recommend removing
retained baby teeth under anaesthetic if they are causing a
problem.
Symptoms of dental disease in cats
Bad breath
Mouth pain
Eating less
Difficulty eating (chewing on one side/preferring soft food)
Tartar and/or sore gums
Wobbly teeth
Drooling
Swollen face
Weight loss
When to contact your vet
Book an appointment with your vet if you suspect your cat has dental
disease. Your vet will examine inside your cat’s mouth, which can be
tricky to do at home! Contact your vet for an urgent appointment if
your cat is unable to close his/her mouth, or is in too much pain to
eat.
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Plaque and tartar
Plaque is a build-up of saliva, food and bacteria on the teeth, it
eventually turns into a hard, brown substance called tartar. Tartar
causes gingivitis (painful, inflamed gums), tooth damage and is full of
bacteria that can enter the blood and cause problems such as kidney
disease and heart disease.
Feline resorptive lesions
Feline resorptive lesions (FORLs) are patches of tooth decay that
develop along the gum line. FORLs are common and affect more
than a third of pet cats at some point throughout their life.
FORLs are painful and often cause teeth to break. Teeth with FORLs
usually need removal.
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Gingivitis
Gingivitis (inflamed gums), causes, red, painful, sensitive gums that
bleed easily. Gingivitis is commonly caused by plaque and tartar
build up but can also be caused by conditions such as Cat flu, FIV
and FeLV. In severe cases, gingivitis can spread to the whole mouth,
we call this gingivostomatitis.
Gingivostomatitis
Gingivostomatitis is severe a severe form of gingivitis that develops
when the immune system overreacts to plaque, tartar and conditions
such as Cat flu, FIV and FeLV.
Broken teeth
Broken teeth are often very painful, especially if the inside of the
tooth (that contains nerves) is exposed. Once a tooth is damaged,
infections are much more likely to develop and it’s often necessary to
remove it.
Gingivitis: the red line above the teeth.
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Tooth root abscesses
A tooth root abscess is a pocket of pus around a tooth root (see
illustration above) that forms when bacteria get underneath the gum.
They are often very painful and cause a swelling on one side of the
face just under the eye. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics and in
many cases, the infected tooth will need to be removed.
Treatment
Treatment for dental disease depends on the specific problem, but
often includes:
Anti-inflammatories - to make your cat’s mouth more
comfortable.
Antibiotics - are sometimes (but not always) necessary to
fight infection.
Dental surgery - unlike a human, a cat won’t sit still and open
their mouths for examination. The only way to safely clean or
remove teeth is under an anaesthetic. If your cat needs teeth
removed, don’t be alarmed – cats cope incredibly well with a
few or no teeth. Better to have no teeth and no pain, than lots
of unhealthy, painful teeth.
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Cat mouthwash - which can be added to your cat’s drinking
water to help keep their mouth clean. Never use human
mouthwash!
Cost
Dental disease can cost several hundred pounds (this can vary a lot
depending on the problem). Always speak to your vet if you can’t
afford the treatment they have recommended because there may be
another option.
We strongly recommend insuring your cat as soon as you get them
so that you are covered for future problems. Always check if your
insurance policy covers dental disease.
If you are struggling with veterinary fees, PDSA offers free or reduced
cost treatment to eligible clients.
Outlook and prevention
Regular tooth brushing - we understand that brushing your cat’s
teeth might be tricky, however, regular tooth brushing is by far the
best way to prevent dental disease. The aim of brushing is to remove
plaque before it turns into solid tartar. Speak to your vet or vet nurse
if you aren’t able to brush your cat’s teeth, they will be able to give
you some tips.
Diet - feed your cat a good quality diet that includes some biscuits
that need chewing, not just soft or sugary human food.
Check-ups - regular dental check-ups with your vet will help prevent
dental problems before they become serious. A good time for a
check is at their yearly booster vaccination.
Published: June 2020
Am I eligible for PDSA veterinary treatment?
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