Oral Cat Diseases
Cats are susceptible to oral mouth diseases much like humans are. Dental diseases in cats can result from poor hygiene, trauma, infections, over- or underbite, infections or autoimmune disorders. Regular brushing and dental cleanings by a veterinarian can help extend the life of your cat's teeth.
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Gingivitis and Stomatitis
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Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth's mucous membranes) are chronic conditions. Also known as "feline gingivostomatitis," this condition may cause the cat to be irritable, aggressive, depressed and reclusive. The cat may have difficulty eating and drool.
Diagnosis and Treatment
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The vet will be looking for lesions in the cat's mouth. If the disease is because of a plaque intolerance, the cat's teeth will need to be polished by a vet regularly and brushed at home. Medicine also will be administered. In more severe cases, teeth extraction may be the only cure.
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Periodontal Disease
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If plaque is not removed from a cat's teeth on a regular basis, minerals in the saliva combine with it to make tartar. The tartar can build up under the gums, causing pockets in the teeth where more bacteria grows. This can eat away at the supporting structure of the tooth. Symptoms include pawing at the mouth, inflamed gums, loose or missing teeth, and loss of appetite.
Diagnosis and Treatment
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The vet can use a calibrated probe to determine the size of the pockets in a cat's tooth (1 to 2 mm is normal). Visible signs include mild redness around the gums, bleeding gums, gum recession, and in the most severe cases, loose or missing teeth. Treatment ranges from a vet's cleaning to root planing to tooth extraction.
Tooth Resorption
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Previously referred to as "feline oral resorptive lesions," tooth resportion is the loss of tooth structure, beginning with the outer enamel surface. Lesions begin as a loss of enamel and progress to the dentin, then the pulp canal, where the blood vessels and nerves to the tooth are located. Symptoms include irritability, aggressiveness, change in appetite and oral bleeding.
Diagnosis and Treatment
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Many of the lesions on the teeth are visible. The vet can use a dental explorer to search each tooth. Some infected teeth can be treated by restoring the teeth, but some need to be extracted.
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