A: The loss of one canine tooth will not likely affect her ability to eat, as most house cats fed commercial dry or canned food do not depend on their fangs to tear apart their food. Cats who hunt or are fed homemade diets of larger pieces of meat make more use of their canine teeth.
However, it is important to know how she lost the tooth. If it was lost due to trauma there may be part of the root left, which should be removed to prevent infection in the jaw. If not due to trauma, the loss of a tooth indicates oral disease. She may have severe periodontal disease that has caused a loosening of the attachment of the normal periodontal ligament between the gum and the tooth.
Another very common cause of missing teeth in cats is known as tooth resorption. In this case, there is erosion of the tooth that exposes the pulp cavity which is quite painful. Eventually the root of the tooth is absorbed and the crown of the tooth breaks off.
At this point it is best to have your cat examined by your veterinarian and then schedule a time to anesthetize her and obtain dental radiographs to see if there is a root fragment still present. The rest of her teeth and gums will be checked and probed for evidence of resorptive lesions or periodontal disease.
A through ultrasonic scaling and polishing of her teeth should be done at the same time to reduce the chance for further dental problems.
Dr. Francine K. Rattner is a veterinarian at South Arundel Veterinary Hospital in Edgewater. Please send questions to info@ southarundelvet.com.
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