Glossary

Periodontal disease

Infection and inflammation of the gums and tissues that hold the teeth, the most common dental problem in cats.

Also called: gum disease, gingivitis, dental disease, dental tartar, plaque

Periodontal disease starts when plaque, a film of bacteria, builds up on teeth and hardens into tartar. The first stage is gingivitis, in which the gums are red, swollen and may bleed. This stage can be reversed with cleaning. If the plaque stays, the infection spreads below the gum line, destroys the bone and ligaments that anchor the tooth and the tooth becomes loose. Most cats have some degree of the disease by middle age.

Signs include bad breath, a yellow-brown crust at the gum line, red gums, drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side and pawing at the face. Many cats keep eating, so owners are surprised by how advanced the disease is when the vet checks.

A proper dental cleaning needs general anesthesia, so the vet can scale under the gum line, take dental X-rays and treat or remove diseased teeth. Scraping tartar off an awake cat does not treat the disease. At home, daily tooth brushing with a toothpaste made for pets is the most effective care, and some dental diets and treats carry approval from a veterinary oral health council. Never use human toothpaste. Ask your vet to grade your cat's teeth at each wellness exam and to show you how to start brushing.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Tooth resorption A common, painful dental disease in which the body gradually dissolves part of a cat's tooth, often hidden below the gum line. Stomatitis A painful, long-lasting inflammation of a cat's gums and mouth lining, thought to be an over-reaction of the immune system. Anesthesia The medically controlled loss of consciousness and pain sensation that lets a vet perform surgery, dental work or imaging safely. Wellness exam A routine vet visit for a healthy-looking cat to check its body, update vaccines and parasite control, and catch problems early. Chronic kidney disease A gradual loss of kidney function, common in older cats, that can be managed for months or years but not cured.

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