Has your cat been pickier with food lately? Perhaps a bit touchy for any handling around their mouth? Or have you noticed that their breath smells bad? We know our cats can be experts at disguising their discomfort. Spot these changes? It’s time your feline friend may need your help!
Here are three potential reasons why your cat’s mouth could be sore:

Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease involves the progressive build-up of plaque (the gooey, bacteria-containing film that forms on unbrushed teeth), which eventually hardens into brown calculus. The gums become inflamed and sore (known as gingivitis), and this can progress to periodontitis, involving painful inflammation and infection around the tooth roots and jawbone. Eventually, affected teeth will become loose and may fall out.
Caught it early? Great! With a thorough dental clean under anaesthetic, we can effectively reverse periodontal disease.

Feline gingivostomatitis
Feline gingivostomatitis involves an allergic response to plaque, which triggers severe, long-lasting inflammation (and sometimes infection) of the gums and throat of affected cats.
These cats usually struggle to eat normally and appear generally lethargic and miserable.
It’s possible to manage feline gingivostomatitis with regular dental cleans and high-level home dental care, but many affected cats require the surgical removal of most (or sometimes all) of their teeth to get relief.

FORLs
FORLs (feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions) are raw, painful tooth cavities that worsen over time. They are common in cats, with over half of felines over three years of age developing a FORL in at least one tooth.

Unlike human cavities, these lesions are not caused by eating sugary foods, but the exact cause is still unknown.

Teeth affected by FORLs usually require complete or partial extraction (crown amputation).

Cat teeth issues can be severe! If you notice any symptoms of dental discomfort in your cat, book them for a prompt assessment with our knowledgeable vets. With the right treatment, we’ll soon have them feline fine!