As a cat owner, it’s really important to keep an eye on your feline friend’s health, and this includes their dental hygiene. If you’ve noticed one or more of your cat’s teeth aren’t as white and shiny as they used to be, this could be a sign of a problem. In this blog, I’ll explain some of the most common, and less common causes of tooth discolouration, and provide some helpful tips for maintaining your cat’s dental hygiene.
Table of contents
What should your cat’s teeth look like?
Your cat’s teeth should be white and shiny, without any cracks, holes, or roots on show. Cats have 30 teeth in total, which should all sit neatly in their mouth next to one another. None should overlap, or be at an angle that affects how your cat chews or closes their mouth. In addition, your cat’s gums should be salmon pink in colour, shouldn’t be red, inflamed, or bleed easily when touched.
Causes of tooth discolouration in cats
Tartar
One of the most common reasons for discoloured teeth in cats is the accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Plaque is a mix of bacteria, saliva, and food that sticks to the teeth throughout the day. If plaque isn’t removed regularly, it turns into a much harder, yellowish/brown substance called tartar. Tartar is a problem because it causes gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), halitosis (bad breath), and can also cause damage to the teeth it touches. Left untreated, tartar can lead to pain, discomfort, severe dental problems, and other health issues.
Feline Resorptive Lesions (FORLs)
If you’ve noticed one of your cat’s teeth appears pink, or as if if there is gum growing across its surface, it could be because they have Feline Resorptive Lesions (FORLs) – an extremely common dental problem that affects more than a third of adult cats. FORLs are lesions (holes) in the teeth, caused by the body dissolving part of the tooth. They tend to form along the gum line (where the tooth meets the gum), before spreading deeper into the tooth, eventually causing it to snap. Often, once the FORLs have formed, the gum becomes very inflamed and grows across the tooth; causing it to have a reddish/pink appearance. FORLs are extremely painful, and require prompt veterinary attention.
Dead teeth
If the blood supply to a tooth gets damaged for any reason, it’s likely to die and turn a shade of grey, brown, black, pink or purple. This is common after a tooth gets knocked, or injured, but can also sometimes be caused by inflammation and infection. Death of a tooth can also cause pain and other dental issues, so it’s important to get it checked by your vet.
Tetracycline antibiotics
There is a certain type of antibiotic called ‘tetracyclines’ that if given to young kittens while their enamel is still forming, can cause permanent discolouration and weakening of their teeth. Although possible, this is very rare these days because it’s a well-known side effect of these medications.
When to seek vet advice
You should always contact your vet for advice if you notice that your cat has discoloured teeth. It’s also important to keep an eye out for other symptoms of dental problems such as:
- Inflamed gums: red, inflamed gums are a sign of (gingivitis) gum disease.
- Mouth pain or discomfort: if your cat seems to be in pain or is experiencing discomfort when eating, grooming, or during play, dental issues could be the cause. Cats with a painful mouth are often hesitant to eat hard food, shake their head mid-way through eating, paw at their mouth and drool more than usual.
- Bad breath: persistent bad breath can be an early sign of dental problems.
- A change in eating habits: such as eating less or reluctance to chew.
- Visible lesions, cracks, holes or broken teeth: these are all signs of a dental problem.
- Weight loss: cats are good at hiding pain, so weight loss is often one of the first signs of a dental problem.
- Facial swelling: dental problems, especially tooth root abscesses, can cause facial swelling just below the eye.
How to maintain your cat’s dental hygiene
Keeping your cat’s mouth clean and healthy is vital if you want to help prevent them developing dental issues. Here are some top tips:
Regular Dental Check-Ups
Schedule regular dental check-ups with your vet so any issues are noticed and treated as early as possible.
Dental Care at Home
If your cat will allow you to brush their teeth, this is by far the best way to keep their mouth clean and healthy. The best way to get them used to the process is by using reward based training methods. You’ll need to use a pet-specific toothbrush and toothpaste recommended by your vet.
Training will take time, and it’s not possible for every cat. But with patience and lots of positive reinforcement (treats!), you may be surprised how much your cat will allow you to do.
Diet and Nutrition
Provide your cat with a good quality, complete diet that promotes oral health.
Give them a mix of dry and wet food – the abrasiveness of chewing biscuits can help reduce plaque build-up throughout the day. Avoid giving your cat sugary human foods.
Chew Toys and Dental Treats
Offer your cat appropriate chew toys and dental treats to help reduce plaque and tartar build-up.
Summary
In summary, discoloured teeth aren’t normal for cats and can be caused by a variety of problems. It’s important to check your cat’s mouth regularly, and contact your vet if you notice anything unusual. It’s also sensible to take steps to keep your cat’s mouth as healthy as possible throughout their life to reduce the chance of them developing a problem.
Discussion