Bruxism in Cats
Bruxism is the medical word for the grinding and gnashing of teeth not associated with eating. A cat is suffering from bruxism when it continually and forcefully grinds its teeth. This condition may occur when the cat is either awake or asleep.
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Effects of Feline Bruxism
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Continual tooth grinding and gnashing--if unchecked--will result in severe dental damage, cavities and periodontal infections.
Causes of Feline Bruxism
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Bruxism in cats usually indicates health issues. Along with stress, tooth fractures and jaw fractures have been known to cause feline tooth grinding. Other dental problems associated with bruxism in cats are: oral pain, oral lesions and tooth reabsorption. A cat with bruxism may also have an irritation in the mouth, caused by a plant it ate or a chemical it absorbed.
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Other Causes of Bruxism
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Serious health issues associated with feline tooth grinding include: dehydration, stomach acid, digestive problems, kidney disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism--a condition in which the body's use of phosphorous and calcium becomes accelerated.
Warning
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Bruxism in cats should be treated as a serious matter. Bruxism may be an indication of kidney failure.
Recommendations
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Cats who grind their teeth continuously should receive a complete physical and dental exam by a veterinarian. X-rays are also recommended.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Hamed Saber
