Pet Wellness: What Causes Cats to Lose Their Teeth?

Cats, like humans, lose their baby teeth before their fully grown teeth come in. Kitten teeth can be razor-sharp, so this is occasionally a good thing. However, although your kitten does not want to harm anybody, its needle-tipped fangs can still do some damage.

Reasons Why Your Cat’s Teeth Are Falling Out

If you notice that your cat’s teeth are falling out, it may represent that something is wrong with their mouth. Even yet, it’s important to keep an eye on your cat’s dental hygiene since it can cause other, much more major health problems, such as heart disease, and cats are masters at concealing their discomfort.

Learning what’s triggering your cat to lose teeth or drool excessively is the primary step to correcting the trouble and restoring your cat’s oral health.

Physical Injury

A catfight can result in a physical injury that causes a tooth to be fractured or knocked out. Likewise, an accident throughout a play session, such as falling from a high cat tree or dashing into a wall, could create a tooth break. Additionally, nibbling on items can potentially harm the teeth of cats. These injuries can result in tooth loss, but they can also trigger luxation, which can be repaired surgically, depending on the circumstances. 

If you notice your cat’s teeth are fractured, immediately consult with a veterinarian to have them check your cat. However, if there are no vets in your area, you can search “vet near me” on the web to find one.

Dental disease

After each meal, plaque normally accumulates on the teeth’s surface. Plaque that is not removed often can bring about bacterial growth, which can cause gum conditions and infection. Gum disease causes red, swollen, and occasionally bleeding gums. When left without treatment, the gums inevitably recede, exposing the base of the tooth and causing discomfort.

Periodontitis is a progressive condition that might go unnoticed for years before symptoms show up. Nonetheless, the teeth will ultimately become so unsteady that they will begin to fall out of their sockets after enough time has elapsed. 

Old Age

The aging procedure causes the gums of older cats to lose their capability to hold their teeth in position, causing the loss of teeth. It’s not uncommon for cats over a decade old to display these actions. Diabetic issues and other substantial health problems may be linked to the loss of teeth in older cats.

Consequently, if you have an elderly cat that has lost one or more teeth, you must have them taken a look at by veterinary dentistry to ensure no underlying health problems associated with tooth loss.

Tooth Resorption

The most widespread reason is a cat’s teeth fall out because of tooth resorption. Tooth resorption affects 30 to 70 percent of cats, according to estimates. The disintegration of the tooth’s structure is its defining characteristic. The steady development of the dental cavity begins inside the tooth and slowly infects other portions. 

Unfortunately, the reason for tooth resorption has not been figured out. Some vets suggest a pet internal medicine conditions to avoid tooth resorption from getting worse.

Bottomline

You should seek veterinary care if you discover that your adult cat is missing a tooth or come across a cat tooth lying around your home, as these are clear indications of severe oral illness. Furthermore, tooth extraction might be needed if the veterinarian identifies any tooth resorption to minimize discomfort, stop further resorption, and ensure that your cat can continue eating normally.

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