Has your cat has started dropping food, chewing on one side, pawing at their face or drooling unexpectedly? They might not just be being picky. They could be suffering from tooth resorption, a painful yet hidden dental condition that affects up to 60% of cats over five years old.
Tooth resorption is when a cat’s body begins to break down and absorb its own teeth and roots. The process usually starts underneath the gums, dissolving the enamel and dentin from the inside out. As the protective layers erode, the nerve center of the tooth becomes exposed causing your cat pain.
The exact cause is a mystery. It cannot be prevented by brushing your cat’s teeth.
Spotting the Signs
Cats will often suffer in silence but you can suspect tooth resorption if you notice your cat:
- swallowing kibble whole or favoring soft food
- head tilting while eating
- pawing at the mouth
- becoming suddenly irritable
- drooling
- or having red or swollen gums.
To confirm your suspicion, your a vet will take dental X-rays under an anesthetic.
Treatment and results
The usual treatment is full extraction of the affected teeth. For one specific type where the root is already being replaced by bone, a simpler procedure called crown amputation can be done where just the visible crown is removed and the gum closed over.
Removing the affected teeth eliminates the pain.
The good news is that most cats bounce back well with restored appetite and energy but they will need regular checkups to detect re-emergence of the disease in the future.
For more information, check out Pet MD.