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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