February 7, 2025
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Many of the same ailments could impact your cat, including dental problems. While you might experience tooth decay due to decay, cats have specific types of degeneration on their teeth. Resorption of the teeth in felines causes sores, painful and reminiscent of cavities, on the teeth, causing them to weaken.

If a cat licks on an injured tooth or the tooth is brushed by a veterinarian’s probing instruments or fingers, it could indicate that it’s experiencing extreme discomfort. But, chronic toothaches aren’t among the most visible signs of the condition.

Feline Tooth Resorption

Feline tooth resorption is a common ailment that can affect cats as they grow older and influences as much as 60 percent of adult cat owners and 75% of senior cats. As a responsible pet owner, you should be aware of this issue with your teeth. Look over some of the essential facts about the subject.

Types and Stages

Cat teeth consist of a hard enamel that protects a layer of cementum and a bone-forming substance called dentin, just like human teeth. Dentin provides a tooth with its basic shape and protects its sensitive pulp. The body gradually destroys the enamel and dentin of afflicted teeth in feline tooth resorption.

There are two forms of feline tooth loss that vets have recognized. The tooth’s crown is destroyed with Type 1 dental resorption, but the root is not wasted. Both the crown and the teeth are affected by Type 2 resorption, which results in bone gradually replacing the root tissues. Vets like Danbury vet have more information posted on their website.

Causes

The number of feline tooth resorption cases has increased dramatically over the last few decades; no one knows the reason behind it. What cats suffer from this problem may be determined by genetic factors. Periodontal disease, in which the gum and dental ligaments tissue are damaged through persistent inflammation, may lead to Type 1 resorption.

Food-related issues like excessive acid levels or nutritional imbalances could be other causes or contributors to feline tooth loss. The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and oral stress caused by poor dental alignment may cause tooth resorption, particularly in cats.

Symptoms

In the beginning stages of feline tooth resorption, there may not be any apparent indicators other than gingivitis (gum inflammation); however, you may see bloody evidence in your cat’s water and food dishes. As the condition worsens, you may notice cavity-like gaps in the affected teeth and fractures in more severely impacted teeth. Visit a veterinarian to get more details about pet dental health.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your veterinarian can detect feline tooth resorption by putting your pet under general sedation and taking dental X-rays. Examining the root and crown can help assess how far the ailment progresses while excluding any other potential dental issues.

Your cat’s tooth loss will dictate how you treat it. Your vet can repair your cat’s teeth gaps if the damage isn’t too severe. However, because resorptive lesions could continue to grow following filling, this treatment should be viewed as a temporary rather than a long-term solution.

Prevention

Veterinarians find it challenging to propose prophylactic treatments against feline tooth resorption since the causes aren’t known. However, because of the potential connection between this illness and periodontal diseases, it is recommended to often brush your cat’s tooth at home and through professional cleanings. Always schedule a vet checkup to monitor your pet.