When I shared that Ashton was going to have a tooth pulled, it was surprising how many friends commented about cats having teeth removed, too. What’s up with all these cats losing teeth? Feline tooth resorption.
Tooth resorption, where the cat’s own body begins to break down a tooth, happens more often than you would expect. It is one of the most common diseases in domestic cats, with about 29% of cats having at least one resorptive lesion.
What is feline tooth resorption?
Tooth resorption happens when odontoclasts, cells in the cat’s mouth, gradually destroy the tooth by digesting it at a cellular level.
Holes – or lesions – form in the outermost layer of the tooth, sometimes starting in the root, and other times in the visible of the tooth, called the crown. Because tooth resorption can be hidden beneath the gums, you may not be able to see when tooth resorption begins.
The only way to detect below-the-gumline lesions on teeth is with x-rays. Your veterinarian can only see this kind of resorptive lesion after it spreads upward into the crown. Sometimes the holes in the crown of the tooth are visible on examination, and other times, a cat’s gums become inflamed and will cover the area of the tooth with the lesion.
Ashton’s gums were inflamed around her damaged tooth, and the gum seemed to be stretching up to try to cover her tooth, as soon below.
What her inflamed gums were hiding was a tooth that had a huge hole in the side. Look at the x-ray image that shows what was hiding under the gum. Doesn’t that look like it must have been painful?
If left long enough, tooth resorption will destroy the tooth entirely, until nothing remains above the gumline. Ashton’s same premolar on the other side of her mouth was completely gone, as seen in this image.
Signs of Tooth Resorption
Once the lesions above the gumline can be painful to your cat. Cats are good at hiding pain, so it may not be obvious. Signs that could mean tooth resorption include:
- Difficulty eating or dropping food outside the bowl
- Chewing with only one side of the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Excessive salivation
- Overall withdrawal or change in mood
- Bad breath
Ashton never misses a meal, so the only clue we had at home there could be a problem was her terrible breath. It’s a good thing we knew what her regular breath smelled like so we could tell when there was a change. It meant the vet needed to take a look at her teeth!
What causes tooth resorption?
The exact cause of tooth resorption isn’t understood. Researchers have a list of conditions that happen around teeth with resorption, but they have not been able to establish whether these conditions cause resorption or whether they are an effect of it, including an acid pH and the fact that there are more vitamin D receptors in the tissue around the teeth.
Some cats, especially purebreds like Siamese and Persian, are more prone to tooth resorption, so there is a genetic component to the tendency for the condition. Plenty of mixed-breed cats, like Ashton, get tooth resorption, too, so genetics isn’t the only factor at work.
How do you treat tooth resorption?
Tooth resorption is progressive. You can’t stop or reverse it. Once it is detected, the only treatment is to extract the tooth.
Veterinarians don’t yet have an adequate way to prevent tooth resorption. Brushing your cat’s teeth at home with toothpaste meant for cats is a good way to detect issues with your cat’s teeth and gums early so you can bring them to your vet’s attention.
Research and further reading:
DVM 360, Dental Corner: How to detect and treat feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions
DentalVets, Feline Tooth Resorption Lesions
Vetbook, Tooth resorption
Banfield Applied Research & Knowledge Team, Literature Review – Feline Tooth Resorption
American Veterinary Dental College, Tooth Resorption
Tooth resorption and vitamin d3 status in cats fed premium dry diets
Merck Veterinary Manual, Nutritional Requirements and Related Diseases of Small Animals
Summer says
I really wish researchers would study more about kitty dental health… when something affects so many cats, you think they’d figure out a way to better manage or even prevent it.
The Menagerie Mom says
You give such wonderful information here! I used to work at a cat clinic, and it always seemed like one of the most common findings during cats’ exams was dental disease, such as resorption. You’re so right, it is far more common than people realize. Thank you for shedding light on this topic!
The Florida Furkids says
Good info. We’re surprised at how often we hear about kitties with tooth resorption.
The Florida Furkids
Brian says
Great info indeed. My Sister Zoe had that and lost 3 teeth. We had never heard of it until she had her problems.
Timmy says
Thanks so much for this post. Brofur Buttons has FIV and bad gum disease and is going for an exam in a week or so. SIsfur Fitz gave a yowl and ran off during snack time last night so she will be next to see Dr Stabby
Purrs
Timmy
Katie Isabella says
I am always very grateful for these blogs re: cat maladies.
The Swiss Cats says
What a great post ! Thank you, we understand better why our Angel Isis, a beautiful pure breed Persian ladycat, didn’t have any tooth left except canines at the age of 4. It was exactly what you describe in your post except bleeding. Purrs
Random Felines says
it would be interesting to know if it is actually more prevalent or if vets are just catching it more as people are becoming more aware…
Madi and Mom says
we recently heard about this on a vet program we watch
Hugs madi and mom
Cathy Keisha says
Inneresting post. I hope I never have that. TW always pays attention when I eat to make sure I’m chewing on both sides. They detected Faith’s dental problems cos she only chewed on one side.
mommakatandherbearcat says
Wow. Despite all Bear’s dental problems, I didn’t know the specific name of the problem – or the process. My vet only said he developed “pockets” under his teeth that couldn’t be seen during a normal visual examination. Bear had his first extraction at 1 1/2 years old … and he’s lost several more since then even though I brush his teeth every day. The most frustrating part for me is showing my vet the irritation on Bear’s gums – and him telling me his teeth look great – only to have a tooth fall out at home (true story) or for him to need an extraction 6 months later. It seems like in Bear’s case, one tooth is subject to most of the resorption at a time … when he loses that tooth, it moves to the neighboring tooth. Thank you for this post. I’m so glad I’ll get to meet you at this year’s BlogPaws 🙂
Melissa & Mudpie says
In all honesty, Mudpie’s breath has been pretty bad since the day she came home with me, yet the vet said she only has mild gingivitis. I really dread the day he says she needs a dental.
The Island Cats says
Thanks for sharing this info with us. Tooth resorption is an issue that really needs more research done. And many vets don’t have the capability to do dental X-rays so they can’t see the resorptions as easily. We’re glad Ashton is doing okay now.
William's Kith & Kin says
Poor Ashton. We’d never heard of that! (We guess we’ve been lucky so far.) Thanks for the info.
Ellen Pilch says
My Snowball is persian and has this.
Colehaus Cats says
Wow! We really enjoyed learning about this, having not heard it before. Poor Ashton!
Raven says
Raven had one of her teeth (the same one as in the photo but the other side of her jaw) due to tooth resorption. Luckily she hasn’t had problems with any of her other teeth. Hopefully Ashton’s teeth stay healthy too.
Cleo says
Thank you for this valuable & informative post. Mom and dad have some concerns with my teeth and have tried “brushing” them, but all I wanna do is snap and bite at them. If you have any suggestions for them they’d appreciate the help. I’ve already clamped down pretty good on dad and drawn blood, and they’re getting pretty frustrated. All that aside, Happy Earth Day!
Connie says
Lisa from A Tonk’s Tail once said her vet thought that kittens that had URI grow up to cats who have FORLs. I wonder if it isn’t an issue because of poor nutrition as kittens. I speculate that even a diet of just kibble as kittens might contribute. It’s heartbreaking because if I’m right they’ll probably never figure it out due to the costs of long-term studies.
Tennyson says
Why is no one wondering about how to help your cat through the phase where the tooth is falling out? I certainly can’t afford to do an extraction, but can’t find a single ounce of research about what to do while the gum is growing over. How to help them with the pain, or suggestions for feeding. How long does it take until it falls out? Websites are quick to simply recommend getting dental surgery, but what do you do if you can’t afford it?
Laura says
Good information. I almost took my cat in and read this and realized they didn’t tell me anything about not But hit me before I took him in. That’s scary it could’ve been serious so I canceled the appointment.