Senior Cat Comfort & Care

Dental disease affects 50 to 90% of cats over 4. Gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth resorption are the three most common dental issues cats suffer with.

Gingivitis primarily affects the gums. More advanced forms of periodontal disease affect your cat’s gums and the bones surrounding their teeth, causing pain and inflammation.

Tooth resorption is the slow destruction of your cat’s tooth. It can result in intense pain as the sensitive dentin and pulp becomes exposed.

Dental disease can also impact your cat’s heart, kidneys, liver, and eyes as bacteria travel through their bloodstream. The damage can’t be reversed, but its progression can be stopped.

Thankfully, a kitty dental routine can help prevent dental disease. Follow the tips in this chapter and keep tabs on your cat’s teeth and gums to spot problems early. Look for broken, missing, loose, or discolored teeth, the gums changing color or bleeding, bad breath, or lumps in the mouth. These and other dental issues, like root abscesses, tumors, and stomatitis, can be spotted by your veterinarian. The sooner dental issues are addressed, the sooner your cat’s pain stops.