What owners mistake for cavities in cats
Owners usually ask “does my cat have a cavity?” when they notice one of these on a tooth:
- a hollow or “hole” in the tooth right at the gum margin;
- red gum tissue that seems to grow into the tooth and fill the defect;
- a pink spot on the crown;
- a “stump” instead of a tooth, or gum that has grown over what is left of the tooth;
- the cat chatters its jaw or jerks its head away when that tooth is touched.
Most often this is tooth resorption (TR; formerly called FORL), although a pink tinge to a tooth can also follow trauma. Gum tissue fills the defect, so the “hole” itself is often not visible — only a red bump on the tooth. And dental radiographs often reveal more affected teeth that cannot be seen in the mouth.
- TR 1–2A defect at the gum lineA small pit where tooth meets gum, with red gum tissue growing into it. It may already hurt.
- TR 3The defect reaches the pulpThe tooth hurts, especially when touched or while eating, even if it looks almost intact.
- TR 4The crown breaks downThe crown weakens and may break off. What happens to the root depends on the resorption type, which only an X-ray shows.
- TR 5The crown is goneGum covers the root and the tooth seems to have “fallen out”. Root remnants show only on a radiograph.
How caries differs from tooth resorption
Both diseases destroy the hard tissues of the tooth, but the mechanism is different. The professional literature notes that true carious lesions are practically not reported in cats. So a “hole” in a cat's tooth is above all a reason to check for resorption.
Why resorption is not filled
In the past, these teeth were filled because the lesions were thought to be caries. But a filling does not stop resorption: the cells keep destroying the tooth underneath and around it, the filling eventually falls out and the pain returns. Today restoration is not recommended for TR.
The effective treatment is extraction of the affected tooth. In some forms of type 2 resorption, where the root is already being replaced by bone, crown amputation may be possible: the visible part of the tooth is removed and the root remnants are left in place. But this decision is made only on clear radiographic criteria and when there is no inflammation around the root and no stomatitis.
What to do if you see a “hole” in your cat's tooth
Book an in-clinic consultation. Resorption progresses over time, and a defect open to the mouth hurts even if your cat is eating as usual. The final diagnosis is made under anaesthesia: examination and probing of every tooth and full-mouth dental radiography, because there may be several lesions.
If you are not in Kyiv, start with an online consultation: photos help judge how urgent things are and plan the tests. Other signs of dental pain are covered in the article on signs of tooth pain in cats.
When to see a vet
- Your cat cries out or jerks its head away while eating, is not eating or is drooling heavily — it needs to be seen soon.
- There is a “hole”, red gum tissue growing onto a tooth or a pink spot.
- Only a “stump” is left of a tooth, or the crown has broken off.
- Resorption has been found before — the other teeth need checking.
What you can do at home
- Photograph the suspicious tooth in good light — it will help at the consultation.
- If eating seems uncomfortable, offer soft food for now.
- Notice which side your cat eats on and whether it drops food.
What not to do at home
- Do not touch the affected tooth or try to brush it — it hurts.
- Do not expect toothpaste, gels or sprays to stop resorption — why they do not treat teeth.
- Do not give human painkillers: paracetamol is toxic to cats.
Frequently asked questions
True caries is not a typical finding in cats. What owners take for a cavity usually turns out to be tooth resorption (TR) — a different process that is treated differently.
No. Resorption continues underneath and around the filling, so filling does not help. The affected tooth is extracted or, in some forms of type 2 resorption, a crown amputation is performed — based on dental radiographs.
Once the defect opens into the mouth, the tooth usually hurts, even if the cat keeps eating. Cats mask pain, so an examination should not be put off.
Sources and professional guidelines
- Cornell University — Tooth resorptionOverview of tooth resorption in cats
- AVDC NomenclatureAVDC nomenclature and terminology
- Niemiec B. A. — Feline Tooth Resorption, Today’s Veterinary Practice, 2012How resorption differs from caries, why restoration is not recommended, criteria for crown amputation
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