It is not uncommon for an adult cat to lose its teeth as it gets older, but this does not mean that we should not give it importance since If an adult cat loses permanent teeth, it usually indicates that there is a problem that we must take care of.
Cats shed their milk teeth from 3 months of age, and it takes between 2 and 4 more months to get the final teeth that they will have when they are adult cats. In this way, hehe denture of a healthy cat is made up of 30 permanent teeth and it is usual that when an adult cat can lose 1 to 2 teeth from 8 years of age. This can happen because, over the years, the piece has worn out. However, it is important to emphasize that if a cat is losing its teeth, it is probably because there is a condition that is damaging it. Therefore, We must go to a veterinarian for a check-up to solve the origin of the problem that causes his teeth to fall out.
The reasons that explain why our cat’s teeth fall out are the following:
Periodontal disease
One of the reasons why a cat can lose teeth is due to a disease in the oral cavity, specifically in the gum and root of the tooth. In fact, periodontal disease is very high in adult cats and, according to university studies, it becomes common after 5 and 8 years of age. This disease begins with the accumulation of «tartar» at the base of the tooth, which is a nest of bacteria that is constantly in direct contact with the gum, which can cause inflammation (the gum has an intense red color and will be inflamed around of the teeth). If we let the process evolve, the periodontitis, a serious infection of the gums that damages soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports the teeth and thus, they end up falling.
Cats with periodontal disease are in pain so they are likely to refuse to eat and salivate excessively. What’s more, If we notice that our feline rubs his mouth, does not want to eat and has very bad breath, it is important to go to the vet as soon as possible to start the appropriate treatment.
Maintenance
In addition to a gum infection, feeding it can also be behind tooth loss in adult cats. Normally, we feed our cats dry food and cans, and there is a belief that dry food helps keep their teeth clean. And that may be so in the case of dogs, but it is not so clear in the case of cats because they chew differently. Therefore, If we feed our cat with dry food and cans, we must take into account its dental health with frequent brushing and even annual oral cleanings
Trauma
This cause is the least frequent, but not impossible and occurs when a cat suffers a blow when falling from a certain height, for example. The tooth may not fall out right away, but If the root is damaged by the blow, you may eventually lose the tooth.
