WHY DO CATS GET DENTAL DISEASE?

PLAQUE AND TARTAR

Just like us, cats develop plaque (a film of bacteria on the teeth) that can harden into tartar (solid, mineral deposits). A large build-up of tartar can force gums to recede leading to tooth root exposure. Plaque build-up is the most common cause of feline dental disease.

GINGIVITIS

Gingivitis (gum inflammation) causes painful, bleeding, infected gums. Mild gingivitis affects cats of all ages and develops when gums react to plaque on the tooth surface. Gingivitis causes progressive gum recession and gingival pockets (gaps between the teeth and gum). Cats with feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) often develop gingivitis.

STOMATITIS

Stomatitis is inflammation affecting the gums and also roof of the mouth and back of the oral cavity. Lymphocytic plasmacytic gingivostomatitis complex (LPGC) is a severe form of stomatitis. We don’t know the exact cause of this complicated condition but suspect it’s immune-mediated (when the cat’s own disease fighting cells attack healthy tissue). Cats with feline calicivirus (FCV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are more likely to develop LPGC.

TOOTH ROOT ABSCESSES

Cats with severe gingivitis are at risk of developing a tooth root abscess. Abscesses form when bacteria pass through inflamed gums and set up infection around tooth roots. Severe infections cause osteomyelitis (when bacteria destroys tooth roots and surrounding jaw bone).

FELINE RESORPTIVE LESIONS (FRLS)

This painful condition affects nearly three quarters of cats over five years old. FRLs appear when the tooth resorbs (is destroyed) along the gum line exposing the pulp (tooth centre containing nerves and blood vessels).They can be either a small cavity (hole) or a red dot (where new gum grows into the hole). If your cat has dental work under a general anaesthetic, your vet will check for FRLs below the gum by probing each tooth and taking dental X-rays.

MISALIGNED OR BROKEN TEETH

● Breeds with shorter jaws (e.g. Persians and British Shorthairs) often have overcrowded, overlapping teeth.

● Some cats retain their deciduous teeth causing adult teeth to grow at abnormal angles.

● Trauma (such as a road traffic accident) or a congenital jaw abnormality (the cat is born with it) can result in wonky teeth.

● Fractured teeth can be painful if the pulp (centre of the tooth carrying the nerve and blood supply) is exposed.

Most cats will tolerate daily brushing...