Dental care is an important part of your cat’s overall health and wellbeing.
Dental disease is common in cats, with research by the Royal Veterinary College finding that periodontal disease affects an estimated 15.2% of cats (that's a whopping 1.8 million!) annually. Sadly, cats often hide signs of pain, meaning dental problems can go unnoticed even when significant discomfort is present.
If left untreated, dental disease can cause inflammation, infection and tooth loss, affecting your cat’s comfort and quality of life. Regular veterinary dental examinations and appropriate home dental care are essential for identifying problems early and maintaining good oral health.
At Origin Vets Clinic, we offer
unlimited, free dental examinations with our veterinary nurses. If you are unsure about your cat’s dental health, or would like advice on caring for their teeth at home, our team is happy to help.
Common Dental Issues
- Gingivitis: This is caused by bacteria which colonise the space between the teeth and the gum, causing inflammation. It is generally reversible with treatment
- Periodontitis: If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into this more serious condition which can cause irreversible damage.
- Tooth Resorption: A condition where the body starts to break down and absorb the structures of a tooth. This can expose the nerves in the tooth and become very painful. It also increases the risk of teeth fractures.
- Fractured Teeth: This can be caused by trauma, or secondary to other issues causing tooth weakness.
- Stomatitis: A very painful condition which appears when an extreme inflammatory response to plaque occurs, resulting in very inflamed and sore gums, sometimes extending to the lips and the tongue.
- Retained Decidious Teeth: This is when the "baby" teeth do not fall out when they should. This can cause issues with adult teeth developing in the wrong position
How is Dental Disease Diagnosed?
Dental disease can be difficult to recognise at home, as cats often hide signs of pain. However, there are several signs that may indicate a dental problem, including:
- Bad breath
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Changes in eating habits
- Pawing at the mouth
- Excessive drooling
- Reduced grooming
A vet can examine your cat’s mouth to identify visible changes, including inflammation, tartar and damaged teeth. However, we can't know the full extent of dental disease through examination alone, as much of the disease may be hidden beneath the gumline.
Dental radiographs (X-rays) are essential for assessing the health of the tooth roots and surrounding bone. As they reveal abnormalities that are not visible during an examination, including tooth resorption, retained roots and changes associated with periodontal disease.
At Origin Vets Clinic, we use a Cocoon handheld dental X-ray machine to obtain precise, high-definition images of your cat’s teeth, roots and surrounding jawbone. These images help our team assess the severity of any dental disease and develop an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your cat’s needs.
Dental radiographs are performed under general anaesthetic, at the same time as a scale and polish, plus any tooth extractions, if required.
