Quick answer: Periodontal disease is the gradual destruction of the structures that hold a tooth in place, caused by plaque and tartar along and below the gumline. It progresses through four stages, from reversible gingivitis to advanced bone loss. Signs include bad breath, red gums, drooling and difficulty eating. Treatment is a dental scale and polish under general anaesthesia, with extractions if the disease is advanced.
Periodontal disease is the most common dental problem in cats, and one of the most common health problems in cats overall. By around three years of age, most cats already have some degree of it (2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines). Because cats hide discomfort so well, many owners have no idea anything is wrong until the disease is advanced. Understanding what it is, how it progresses and how it is treated helps you act early, while the damage can still be limited.
What is periodontal disease?
“Periodontal” means around the tooth. The condition begins when plaque (a soft film of bacteria) builds up on the teeth. Within a day or two, minerals in saliva harden that plaque into tartar (calculus), which clings to the tooth and creeps below the gumline. The bacteria trigger inflammation, and over time the body’s own immune response begins to break down the gum, the periodontal ligament and the bone that anchor the tooth. Eventually the tooth loosens and is lost.
The most damaging disease happens below the gumline, where you cannot see it. That is why a visual check alone is never enough: proper assessment needs anaesthesia, and sometimes dental X-rays.
The four stages of periodontal disease
Vets grade periodontal disease in four stages. The earliest is reversible; the later ones are not.
| Stage | What’s happening | Reversible? |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Gingivitis | Gums are inflamed and red along the margin; no attachment loss yet | Yes, with cleaning and home care |
| Stage 2: Early periodontitis | Up to ~25% loss of tooth support; gums recede slightly | Damage is permanent, but progression can be halted |
| Stage 3: Moderate periodontitis | 25–50% loss of support; pockets form, teeth may loosen | No: focus shifts to saving teeth |
| Stage 4: Advanced periodontitis | Over 50% loss of support; loose teeth, exposed roots, infection | No: affected teeth usually need extraction |
The key message: gingivitis is the one stage you can fully reverse. Catching the disease here, before it crosses into the bone, is the whole goal of prevention and regular checks.
Signs to watch for
Cats are experts at masking a sore mouth, so the clues are subtle. Watch for:
- Persistent bad breath: often the very first sign, and never normal.
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums, especially along the gumline.
- Drooling, sometimes tinged with blood.
- Dropping food, chewing on one side, or preferring soft food.
- Pawing at the mouth or face-rubbing.
- Visible yellow-brown tartar, particularly on the back teeth.
- Loose or missing teeth in advanced cases.
- Weight loss, a dull coat or withdrawal as a sore mouth quietly wears your cat down.
Even one of these is worth a dental check. Bad breath in particular is worth investigating, our guide to bad breath in cats explains the causes.
How periodontal disease is treated
Once tartar has hardened and disease has reached below the gumline, no home care can reverse it: that is precisely where the damage sits. At that point your cat needs a professional cat dental cleaning: a thorough dental scale and polish under general anaesthesia. Here is what a treatment visit involves:
- Pre-anaesthetic assessment, including a blood test (an add-on from $250, not included in the procedure price) to confirm your cat is fit for anaesthesia, especially important for senior cats.
- Safe general anaesthesia with IV fluid therapy and full monitoring throughout.
- Probing and charting of every tooth to map disease below the gumline.
- Ultrasonic scaling and polishing with our iM3 GS Elite dental unit, removing tartar above and below the gumline.
- Extractions of teeth too damaged to save, with local nerve blocks and pain relief for comfort.
- A monitored, gentle recovery before your cat heads home the same day.
Extractions sound drastic, but a diseased, painful tooth is far worse than a gap: cats cope beautifully after removal of bad teeth, often becoming brighter and more comfortable than they have been in months.
Can it be prevented?
To a large extent, yes. Daily brushing, VOHC-accepted dental treats or diets, and regular professional cleaning keep plaque under control and slow the whole process. Our guide to preventing gum disease in cats sets out a simple routine. Not every dental problem is plaque-related, though: feline tooth resorption is a separate, painful condition that also needs assessment under anaesthesia.
How we help at AVH Animal Ark
At AVH Animal Ark Veterinary Group we grade your cat’s periodontal disease and treat it thoroughly under safe anaesthesia with gentle ISFM Cat Friendly handling: we are an ISFM Silver Cat Friendly Clinic. Where a case needs dental X-rays, we refer to a suitable facility. We are at Springleaf and Tampines, open 7 days a week. A cat dental scale and polish starts from $550, up to around $1,000 for severe cases with multiple extractions, with a personalised quote after examination. Pre-anaesthetic blood tests are an add-on from $250 and are not included in those prices.
Spotted red gums or bad breath? Book a dental check at our Springleaf or Tampines clinic. Book an Appointment →
Frequently asked questions
Is periodontal disease in cats reversible?
Only the earliest stage (gingivitis) is fully reversible. Once the disease destroys bone and attachment, that loss is permanent, though treatment can halt further progression.
Does my cat need anaesthesia to treat it?
Yes. The disease lives below the gumline, where it cannot be cleaned or assessed safely on an awake cat. General anaesthesia allows a thorough, comfortable scale, polish and examination.
Will my cat lose teeth?
In advanced cases, severely affected teeth are extracted. Cats do very well afterwards: removing a painful, infected tooth relieves discomfort and most cats eat normally soon after.
How much does treatment cost?
A cat dental scale and polish starts from $550 (inclusive of 9% GST), rising to around $1,000 for severe cases with multiple extractions. Blood tests are not included in those prices: a basic blood test package is an add-on from $250.
Medically reviewed by Dr Joyce Lauw, Veterinarian (University of Sydney, 2013); MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats); Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, special interest in feline and internal medicine. Read Dr Joyce’s profile
Last reviewed: June 2026. This article is general information and not a substitute for a consultation with your vet.
References / Further reading
- 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats – American Animal Hospital Association
- WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines – World Small Animal Veterinary Association
- International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) – feline oral health resources