Kittens normally lose their baby teeth as adult teeth come in. For an adult or senior cat, a missing or loose tooth is not a normal sign of aging: it may result from dental disease or injury and should be assessed by a veterinarian.
When do cats normally lose teeth?
Kittens have 26 baby teeth, which are replaced by 30 permanent teeth by about six months of age. That transition is expected. Losing a tooth later in life is different: age itself is not a reason to dismiss adult tooth loss as normal.
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Why might an adult cat lose a tooth?
Periodontal disease
Plaque-associated inflammation can begin as gingivitis. If it is not controlled, it may progress to periodontitis, damaging the gums and tissues that hold teeth in place. Advanced disease can loosen teeth and lead to tooth loss. Cornell’s Feline Dental Disease page, updated in June 2017, reports that studies found some form of dental disease in 50–90% of cats older than four years.
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Tooth resorption is the breakdown of a tooth’s structure and can be painful. Cornell describes it as the most common cause of tooth loss in cats, while noting that its cause is unknown. Cornell’s 2017 dental disease page says 30–70% of cats show some sign of resorption. Its separate Tooth Resorption page estimates 20–60% of all cats and close to three-quarters of cats aged five and older; that page does not state a publication year. These are estimates from separate Cornell pages, not directly comparable measurements.
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Injury or another oral problem
An injury can also cause adult tooth loss, and other oral diseases may require evaluation. A missing tooth alone does not identify the cause, so avoid trying to diagnose it at home.
What signs should you watch for?
Cats may conceal mouth pain, and a cat can keep eating despite discomfort. Changes around meals or in the mouth are worth noticing, even if appetite seems intact.
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- Bad breath or red, swollen, bleeding, or receding gums
- Drooling, pawing at the face or mouth, or reluctance to eat
- Turning the head while eating, chewing on one side, or swallowing kibble without chewing
- Food falling from the mouth or a new preference for soft food
Oral and dental problems are common and can go unrecognized. In its December 4, 2025 announcement of new feline oral-health and dental-care guidelines, FelineVMA quoted guidelines task force co-chair Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC: “Oral and dental diseases are among the most common health problems in cats, yet they’re often unrecognized.”
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Arrange a veterinary examination if an adult cat has a loose or missing tooth, visible changes in the mouth, or new eating behavior that could indicate pain. Bad breath accompanied by other symptoms is also a reason to seek an assessment. Do not wait for a cat to stop eating before taking mouth changes seriously.
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A quick look at the visible teeth may not show disease beneath the gumline. Cornell explains that definitive assessment can require dental probing and full-mouth radiographs under general anesthesia. The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) likewise says an observable resorptive lesion warrants radiographic evaluation and that intraoral radiography is necessary for treatment planning.
How treatment decisions are made
Care depends on the cause and dental X-ray findings. A veterinarian may recommend professional cleaning or extraction of affected teeth. For tooth resorption, the AVDC’s position statement, revised in April 2019, describes different approaches according to what radiographs show: complete extraction for teeth with crown resorption and no radiographic evidence of root resorption; or, in selected cases with advanced root resorption and no concurrent periodontal disease, periapical periodontitis, or stomatitis, subgingival crown amputation. Monitoring or preemptive extraction may be considered for some root findings. These are clinical decisions for a veterinarian, not choices to make at home; the AVDC calls for follow-up examinations.
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How can you help prevent dental disease at home?
Regular brushing can remove plaque, but it is prevention—not treatment for a painful, loose, or missing tooth. Use a cat toothbrush and toothpaste made for cats; human toothpaste is not safe for cats. Cornell recommends introducing the taste and brush gradually over four weeks.
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- Introduce the toothbrush gradually and gently, building tolerance over several weeks.
- If your cat’s gums look severely inflamed, ask a veterinarian before brushing; contact may be painful.
A feline dental care kit can provide home plaque-control supplies, but no brush or toothpaste can diagnose or treat a diseased tooth.
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