Cats are stoic to a fault. A broken tooth that would have us reaching for the painkillers can go completely unnoticed in a cat, because they’re hardwired to hide pain rather than show it. They can’t tell us in words, so it falls to us to read their body language, watch for changes in appetite or weight, and look inside their mouths now and then. This guide — part of our series on dental care for cats — covers broken teeth, the pain they cause, and the oral abscesses that can follow if they’re left untreated.
As always: dental problems are a job for your vet, not for home remedies. The aim here is to help you spot trouble early and know what to expect.
How cats break their teeth
In cats, it’s usually the canine and incisor teeth that fracture, and trauma is nearly always the cause — a fall, a knock or a road accident. The big canines are most likely to break from facial trauma. Fractures of the back pre-molar and molar teeth from simply chewing are quite rare; most cats have more sense than to bite down hard on something that’s clearly too tough.
Poor diet, genetics, stress and age all play a role in feline dental problems, and a cat without a good oral hygiene routine is more likely to run into trouble. But a fracture itself is generally an accident rather than a slow decline.
Do broken teeth hurt cats?
It’s reasonable to assume a broken tooth hurts a cat just as it would hurt us — and it does. The degree of pain depends on the extent of the break and how long it’s been there. If the sensitive inside of the tooth (the pulp) is exposed by the initial injury, the pain is immediate and severe. Yet many owners never even realise their cat has fractured a tooth, precisely because cats mask it so well.
As a fractured tooth becomes infected, it can sometimes die and grow less painful for a time — but please don’t take that as a reason to leave it. If the infection spreads to the jawbone supporting the tooth, the pain often returns and intensifies, and the surrounding bone and soft tissue can become infected and form an abscess. That abscess may appear as a swelling inside the mouth or break out as a wound on the face.
Treatment for a broken tooth
A broken tooth almost always means a trip to the vet, with extraction usually being the most effective and straightforward treatment. The sooner that happens, the better — prompt treatment reduces the risk of complications such as ongoing pain, abscesses, and weight loss in a cat who can no longer eat comfortably.
Your vet will examine the mouth and may take x-rays to judge the extent of the damage before deciding on the best approach. I’d never try to manage a broken tooth at home — this is firmly veterinary territory, and the right call is always to get your cat seen quickly.
Oral abscesses in cats
A dental or oral abscess is a serious condition that needs treating immediately. An abscess is a localised pocket of pus formed as tissue breaks down under infection, surrounded by inflamed, swollen tissue. Left alone, the infection can lead to bone infection (osteomyelitis) or spread into the bloodstream.
Tooth abscesses are relatively common, especially in cats with existing periodontal disease or those who’ve had some kind of trauma to the mouth — including, occasionally, a burn from chewing electrical wires (some cats simply can’t resist them). Abscesses can form under and around teeth and in the gums.
Signs of a dental abscess
Because cats won’t tell us, watch for:
- Pawing at the mouth, or obvious discomfort
- A visibly broken, loose or strongly discoloured tooth
- Drooling, or reluctance to eat, with weight loss
- Becoming quiet and subdued, or unusually irritable
- Facial swelling, or a draining wound along the jaw line
- Foul-smelling breath
- Discharge from the nose or watering eyes
If your cat shows any of these, see a vet as soon as you can. An untreated abscess can lead to systemic infection, tooth loss and bone loss in the jaw.
How vets treat abscesses
Your vet will examine the mouth and may take x-rays to find the source and extent of the infection. Where a tooth is the cause, they’ll often bring the infection under control with antibiotics first, then extract the offending tooth. Long-acting antibiotic injections are frequently preferred, since getting tablets into a sore-mouthed, off-colour cat is unreliable at best.
For an external abscess that’s draining, your vet may also advise gently cleaning the area, feeding smaller amounts of softer food while it heals, keeping fresh water available, and washing bowls and bedding frequently to prevent re-infection. Always follow your vet’s specific instructions — and never attempt to medicate or lance an abscess yourself.
Can you prevent broken teeth?
A fracture from trauma is largely unavoidable, sadly — you can’t bubble-wrap a cat. But a good oral health routine does reduce the wider risks:
- Feed some dry, hard kibble, which helps scrub plaque and slow tartar build-up
- Check your cat’s mouth regularly for broken teeth, sore spots or unusually bad breath, so you catch problems early
- Hide or protect exposed electrical wiring if your cat treats it as a chew toy
Pain and stress are closely linked in cats, so a sore mouth can quickly affect mood and behaviour too — our guide to stress in cats is a useful companion read. For trustworthy general dental guidance, the charity Cats Protection is an excellent resource.
Look after your cat’s teeth
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Frequently asked questions
Can a cat live with a broken tooth?
It isn’t advisable. Even if the pain seems to settle, a broken tooth can become infected and form a painful abscess, and the infection can spread. The safe course is always to have your vet assess and treat it.
How do I know if my cat’s tooth is broken?
You may spot a visibly chipped, discoloured or missing tooth, but often the clues are indirect: drooling, pawing at the mouth, reluctance to eat hard food, bad breath or a change in temperament. A gentle mouth check and a vet visit will confirm it.
Will my cat need the tooth removed?
Often, yes — extraction is usually the simplest and most effective treatment for a fractured tooth. Your vet will examine the mouth, sometimes with x-rays, and advise the best option for your individual cat.
Is a dental abscess an emergency?
It should be treated as urgent. An abscess is a serious infection that can spread to bone or the bloodstream, so book a vet appointment as soon as you notice the signs rather than waiting to see if it clears on its own.
Written from years of living with and loving Siamese cats. Find out more about me and this site.
