Anatomy and development of cat teeth: from kitten to adult cats 

Beyond its adorable face, your cat's mouth is an essential tool for its daily life. Its teeth are not only used for eating kibble, but also for interacting with its environment, defending itself, and grooming. 

Understanding how their teeth and jaws work is the first step to ensuring a comfortable life and preventing long-term dental health issues. 

Key takeaways 

• Adult cats possess 30 permanent teeth compared to 26 for kittens, with the full set typically appearing by 6 months of age. 
• Daily brushing remains the only primary defense against plaque and tartar. Dental toys and kibble are only considered supplements. 
• Approximately 85% of cats over age three suffer from dental issues, making early detection of bad breath or swollen gums essential. 
• Certain breeds, like Persians or Abyssinians, show a higher susceptibility to dental disease and require more frequent monitoring. 
• Persistent baby teeth after 6 months or any adult tooth loss requires immediate veterinary intervention to prevent long-term damage. 

Understanding your cat's dental anatomy 

The transition from baby teeth to adult teeth is a key phase in a kitten's development. To fully understand this process, it is important to start by distinguishing between different types of teeth and their specific roles. 

The 4 types of teeth and their functions 

Each tooth has a precise mission in your cat's mouth: 

• Incisors: Located at the very front, they are used to chew small pieces of food or for grooming. 
• Canines: These are the sharp teeth used to grab, hold, and tear food. 
• Premolars: These act like knives to cut and slice food. 
• Molars: These allow the cat to grind down solid food to make digestion easier. 

Dental development in kittens 

Kittens are born without teeth, just like us. It is only between the third and fourth weeks that the first baby teeth break through the gums. At this stage, a kitten has 26 teeth. 

The transition to permanent teeth begins around the 11th week. During this teething period, your young companion may drool, chew, or experience a temporary loss of appetite. To help him, we recommend giving your kitten chew toys to soothe his discomfort during this period. You can also give him wet cat food to make eating easier. A little advice: put the food in the fridge before giving it to your cat so that the cold helps to calm their discomfort. 

At around 6 months, your cat should have all its permanent teeth and its adult dentition. If the milk teeth remain after this period, this is known as “persistent tooth”, we recommend that you contact your veterinarian to find the right solution. 

Adult cat dentition 

A healthy adult cat has 30 permanent teeth. It is interesting to note that, unlike dogs, cats have more teeth in their upper jaw than in their lower jaw. 

Although they are called “permanent,” your cat may have dental problems that could cause tooth loss. To prevent this situation, it is important to maintain your cat's dental health. Here are some tips to assist you in caring for your cat's teeth.

How to care for your cat’s teeth 

Taking care of your cat's teeth isn't just about giving it fresh breath or waiting for a problem to develop and then bringing it to the vet. You need to help it take care of its dental health every day by establishing a few simple routines if you start early enough. To ensure that it stays healthy as it ages, here are our best tips. 

Brushing your cat’s teeth 

Although brushing a cat's teeth may seem like an impossible task, it can become an experience that strengthens your bond if you get them used to it from an early age.  

To make it work, you'll need a toothbrush designed specifically for cats and a special cat toothpaste. You must never use your own toothpaste, because human toothpaste often contains ingredients that are toxic for cats. 

Ideally, the perfect recommendation would be to brush your cat's teeth every day to clean away food residues and prevent tartar buildup. If this isn't realistic due to your schedule, try to do it at least three times a week. If you need help getting started, you can follow our specific tips on how to brush your cat's teeth to help them get used to this routine. 

Dental toys and treats 

Nowadays, there are many products designed to help clean your cat's teeth naturally. If your cat really dislikes toothbrushes, you can opt for dental toys for cats or specialized dental treats. Their advantages are that they are designed to promote natural cleaning thanks to their abrasive texture, but they also combine a chemical action to reduce the bacteria responsible for tartar formation. 

• Dental toys: these often have unique textures that help remove plaque while your cat plays and encourages chewing. They are an excellent alternative for cats that strongly resist manual brushing. 
• Dental treats: Dental products add specific ingredients to fight bacteria. This is particularly the case with Greenies dental treats for cats. 

Although these solutions are practical and effective, they should not be the only tools at your disposal. Think of them as mouthwash or dental gum for humans. They can work from time to time, but they are mainly supplements to daily care and cannot replace the deep cleaning provided by a toothbrush in the long term. 

Dental diet 

Choosing the right food for your cat can be a challenge, as every cat has its own preferences and needs. The most important thing is to stay informed so you can select a diet that fits both your lifestyle and your cat’s specific requirements. 

Dental cat food typically works through a combination of mechanical and chemical actions to fight plaque and tartar: 

1. Mechanical action: The specific shape and firm texture of the kibble act as a natural abrasive, scrubbing the teeth as the cat chews. 
2. Chemical action: Specific ingredients help reduce the bacteria present in your pet's mouth.  

Keep in mind that while dental kibble is a great tool, it isn't a "magic bullet”. Much like dental toys, it works best as a supplement and is not a replacement for regular brushing. However, it significantly contributes to fresher breath and better overall oral hygiene. 

Using dental supplements 

Another simple way to take care of your cat's dental health is to give them dietary supplements that you can add directly to their water or food. 

The main advantage of this method is its ease of use. For example, you can use dental additives for cats by simply adding a scoop to their daily meal, whether dry or wet. Furthermore, some of these products are made from natural ingredients and contain probiotics that help reduce the buildup of bacteria and tartar naturally. 

Regular veterinary check-ups 

To ensure your cat stays in top health, nothing is more effective than regular visits to your veterinarian. Dental problems are among the most common health issues in cats, so veterinarians are very attentive to them and offer solutions before problems become more serious. 

Your veterinarian can assess the condition of your cat's teeth and gums and, if necessary, perform a dental cleaning. Remember that prevention is always less expensive than treatment, and regular checkups allow small problems to be detected before they turn into emergencies, especially since cats are very resistant to pain. 

Warning signs of dental issues in cats 

As we've seen, the main enemy of your cat's oral health is plaque. Left untreated, it hardens into tartar, which can lead to various painful dental diseases. Statistically, about 85% of cats over three years old already suffer from some kind of dental problem. 

Early detection is essential to prevent the situation from worsening, but here are some of the most common signs to watch for if your cat is experiencing dental pain: 

• Persistent bad breath 
• Red or swollen gums: Healthy gums are bright pink. Redness or inflammation of the gums is a typical sign of gingivitis. 
• Yellow or brown tartar buildup 
• Changes in eating habits: If your cat drops its food, only chews on one side 
• Excessive salivation 
• Loose or broken teeth 

The best solution remains a regular oral hygiene routine to prevent more serious problems. By following these few tips, you should be able to take the right steps to minimize the risk of dental problems for your cat. If you would like to learn more, feel free to explore our complete range of dental care products for cats to find the tools you need to maintain your companion's health.