10/09/2026
This is the handsome Fergal! 💙 He was recently in to see us for a Stage One Dental and was found to have feline oral resorptive lesions (FORLs) a common and often very painful dental condition in cats.
Tooth resorption is a common and often painful dental condition in cats. It occurs when the body gradually breaks down the dentin, the hard tissue beneath the tooth enamel. Unfortunately, this process is irreversible and the tooth (or the reminants of it) will need extracted under general anaesthesia.
Tooth resorption is estimated to affect around 20–60% of cats, with the prevalence increasing as cats get older. It is particularly common in cats over 5 years of age.
As you can see from Fergal's photos, a tooth can look relatively normal above the gumline, while the X-ray reveals significant disease underneath.
Dental X-rays allow us to identify:
🦷 Tooth resorption hidden below the gumline
🦷 Damaged or diseased tooth roots
🦷 The extent of dental disease
🦷 Which teeth need treatment or extraction
Cats are also incredibly good at hiding dental pain. They may continue eating normally even when their mouths are uncomfortable, so a cat seeming “fine” doesn't necessarily mean their teeth are healthy.
For Fergal, dental X-rays were an important part of assessing his teeth and making sure the full extent of his dental disease could be identified and appropriately treated. ❤️
Regular dental checks, and a dental scale and polish with xrays (stage one dental), can make a huge difference to your cat's comfort and long-term oral health.
If you notice bad breath, drooling, difficulty chewing, dropping food, pawing at the mouth, or changes in eating habits, it's worth having your cat's teeth checked by your vet. 🦷
Healthy mouth = happier cat! 🐾
