Dental disease affects an estimated 70 to 80 percent of cats over three years of age and causes chronic pain that significantly affects quality of life, yet it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Feline dental disease is one of the most common sources of chronic pain in companion cats, yet it is frequently underrecognized because cats do not obviously signal oral pain. A cat with severe periodontal disease or tooth resorption continues to eat, groom, and appear normal to owners while experiencing constant discomfort. The post-operative behavior change owners observe after dental treatment — increased playfulness, affection, and appetite — reveals retrospectively how much the animal was suffering. Annual veterinary dental examinations and proactive professional cleaning prevents the progression of disease that causes the greatest suffering. Early intervention is both more effective and less invasive than treating advanced disease.