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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesCat dental disease can be painful even when a cat still eats and behaves almost normally. Bad breath, red or bleeding gums, drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side, or switching to soft food are reasons to contact a veterinarian. Brushing helps prevent plaque buildup, but it cannot treat established periodontitis, tooth resorption, or severe oral inflammation.
What dental disease looks like in cats
Cats often conceal discomfort, so a lack of dramatic pain behavior does not rule out a problem. Watch for changes around the mouth and changes in how your cat eats or acts.
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- Persistent bad breath
- Red, swollen, bleeding, or receding gums
- Drooling or pawing at the face
- Reluctance to eat, turning the head while chewing, or chewing on one side
- Swallowing kibble without chewing, dropping food, or preferring soft food
- Irritability, loose teeth, or missing teeth
Why does my cat have bad breath?
Bad breath can accompany plaque, gum inflammation, or other oral disease. It is a useful reason to arrange a veterinary examination, but by itself it does not identify the cause.
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Food falling from the mouth can reflect discomfort or difficulty chewing. The same is true if your cat turns its head, chews on one side, or starts choosing softer food. Ask a veterinarian to assess the mouth rather than assuming this is a preference or a normal change with age.
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Common dental conditions and how they differ
Gingivitis and periodontitis
Plaque accumulating around and below the gum line can inflame the gums. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and may be reversible when its cause is addressed. If inflammation and plaque-related disease progress, periodontitis damages the tissues that support the teeth. That damage is not reversible and can result in loose teeth or tooth loss. Cornell notes that gingivitis may also occur alongside conditions such as FeLV, FIV, calicivirus, severe kidney disease, diabetes, or autoimmune disease; a veterinarian must assess the individual cat rather than infer a cause from gum redness alone. Cornell’s overview of dental disease in cats provides more detail.
Tooth resorption
Tooth resorption is progressive breakdown of a tooth, and its cause is not known. It can be painful; damage visible near the gum line may be more extensive than it appears. A visible lesion needs veterinary assessment and dental radiographs, which help establish how much of the tooth and root is affected.
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The American Veterinary Dental College’s position statement describes treatment choices based on the tooth’s crown and root findings. Complete extraction is the treatment of choice for a tooth with detectable crown resorption and no radiographic root resorption. For some teeth with crown resorption and advanced root resorption, subgingival amputation may be considered if specified concurrent conditions are absent. These are veterinary decisions that depend on imaging and examination, not options to attempt at home. The AVDC also says restoration is not recommended to stop or slow resorption. Read the AVDC position statements.
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Feline chronic gingivostomatitis
This is a severe, chronic inflammation affecting the gums and oral mucosa. Management can involve medical treatment and, depending on how extensive the condition is and how the cat responds, removal of some or all teeth. It is distinct from ordinary gingivitis; not every cat with inflamed gums has stomatitis. Cornell’s guide to feline chronic gingivostomatitis describes the condition and its management.
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How common is dental disease?
The estimates available use different age groups and disease definitions, so they should not be treated as directly comparable. Cornell’s page, updated in June 2017, reports that 50–90% of cats older than four years have some form of dental disease and that 30–70% of cats show some sign of tooth resorption. These are estimates reported by Cornell, not results of a new population survey conducted by the university. In a 2025 client brochure, the Feline Veterinary Medical Association says up to 85% of cats will already have signs of periodontal (gum) disease by two years of age. Each figure describes the specific age and condition stated by its source.
Why does diagnosis often require anesthesia and dental X-rays?
A conscious mouth check can reveal suspicious signs, but it cannot reliably show what is happening below the gum line. Cornell’s veterinary dentistry service says definitive diagnosis and treatment planning commonly require general anesthesia, dental probing and charting, and full-mouth X-rays. Together, these let the veterinary team assess hidden disease and plan treatment for each tooth. Cornell’s dentistry service explains its diagnostic approach.
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Ask the veterinary team what the examination and radiographs show, which teeth are affected, what options are appropriate, and what follow-up will be needed. For resorption in particular, the visible crown alone may not reveal the root findings that affect treatment.
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What treatment may a veterinarian recommend?
Treatment depends on the diagnosis, severity, affected teeth, radiographic findings, pain, and whether a tooth can reasonably be preserved. Possible components include:
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- Professional scaling and polishing above and below the gum line
- Periodontal procedures or extraction of diseased or unsalvageable teeth
- Pain control and, for selected conditions, medication
- Assessment and management of an underlying illness when relevant
- For tooth resorption, imaging-guided treatment selected for the crown and root findings
A cleaning can remove plaque and calculus, but it does not reverse the lost tooth-supporting tissue of periodontitis or repair a resorbing tooth. The veterinarian should explain the findings, options, and monitoring or follow-up plan for your cat.
Does my cat need a dental cleaning?
Only a veterinary examination can determine whether your cat needs a professional cleaning or a different treatment. Visible tartar, gum changes, bad breath, or eating changes warrant a discussion with your veterinarian; the final plan may depend on probing and full-mouth radiographs under anesthesia.
How to prevent problems and care for teeth at home
Introduce brushing gradually
Regular plaque removal through brushing is preventive care, not a substitute for treating existing disease. Cornell recommends toothpaste made for cats because human toothpaste can be toxic to cats. Its gradual introduction plan takes about four weeks, progressing from getting the cat comfortable with the toothpaste to accepting a brush and then gentle brushing of the outer tooth surfaces. A cat toothbrush and feline toothpaste are the appropriate supplies for this routine.
- Let your cat become familiar with the taste of feline toothpaste.
- Gradually accustom your cat to having the mouth and teeth touched.
- Introduce a cat toothbrush and let your cat accept it without forcing the process.
- When tolerated, brush gently along the outside tooth surfaces.
If your cat has severe gingivitis, brushing may hurt; check with a veterinarian before starting. Stop if your cat shows pain or distress and ask the veterinary team how to proceed. Cornell’s brushing guidance outlines the gradual approach.
Keep veterinary checkups on the calendar
The Feline Veterinary Medical Association’s 2025 client brochure recommends veterinary checkups every 6–12 months and regular dental care under anesthesia to identify problems early. Your veterinarian may tailor the timing to your cat’s health and oral findings. See the FelineVMA dental-care brochure.
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