When to see a vet urgently
A cat with a bite abnormality or mouth injury needs prompt assessment if:
- the mouth will not close or jaw position changes suddenly after injury
- mouth pain prevents eating or drinking
- there is bleeding in the mouth or an obviously broken tooth
- swelling appears on the face or around the jaw
Do not force the jaw or pull a tooth yourself. You can find a vet near you.
Overview
A normal bite distributes chewing forces evenly and protects the mouth lining from injury. Cats can have several bite abnormalities: overbite, underbite, crossbite and crowded teeth. These are most often congenital and related to jaw structure, but sometimes develop after injuries or abnormal replacement of baby teeth.
The bite is assessed from the relationship of the teeth to one another and to soft tissues as the mouth closes. Normally, the lower canine fits between the outermost upper incisor and upper canine without harmful contact. An abnormality may affect one tooth even when the relationship between the jaws is otherwise normal.
Tooth position or jaw relationship?
In a dental malocclusion, one or more teeth are incorrectly positioned. In a skeletal malocclusion, the abnormality involves jaw relationships or asymmetry. In a crossbite, a lower tooth's position relative to the opposing upper tooth differs from normal. Your vet records which teeth are involved and what they contact. A general everyday term such as overbite does not identify the exact site of damage.
Not every abnormal bite causes pain or needs corrective treatment. The need depends particularly on whether a tooth damages another tooth or oral tissue and whether function is affected. A cosmetic difference and a bite that injures the mouth are therefore assessed separately.
Causes
Key causes of malocclusion include:
- inherited susceptibility, more common in some breeds
- abnormal replacement of baby teeth, with permanent teeth moving into the wrong position
- jaw injuries during kittenhood
- congenital developmental abnormalities
- diseases that disrupt bone and tooth growth
A baby tooth remaining in place may also be associated with a permanent tooth failing to erupt along the correct path. Cause and effect therefore do not always run solely from the baby tooth pushing a normally erupting tooth out of position. Sometimes no permanent successor develops at all. Examination and X-rays where necessary distinguish these situations.
A dental injury can damage a developing tooth or displace its tooth bud. A sudden bite change in an adult cat requires investigation of trauma or another acquired cause. It must not be dismissed as a congenital feature that went unnoticed before.
Risk factors
- Breed characteristics, with abnormalities more common in brachycephalic breeds such as Persians.
- Kittens changing teeth, under 6–7 months old.
- Cats with jaw injuries.
- Chronic dental diseases.
This list does not mean tooth replacement is itself a disease. It is a time when eruption and bite development should be monitored. Breed or chronic dental disease alone also does not establish that a cat has a painful malocclusion.
Symptoms
You may notice:
- abnormal jaw closure
- protruding or displaced teeth
- difficulty chewing food
- food dropping from the mouth
- increased drooling
- damage to the lining of the mouth, including ulcers on the lips, palate or tongue
- bad breath
- delayed loss of baby teeth in kittens
Mouth pain can also appear as a changed eating style: your cat turns its head, chews more cautiously or prefers softer food. It does not necessarily stop eating completely. Some cats conceal dental pain so well that you notice no clear change at all. A normal appetite therefore does not replace oral examination.
If two canine teeth are visible in the same position, a baby tooth and permanent tooth may both be present. Each tooth's identity and the space between them are checked at the appointment. A small tooth must not be assumed to be a baby tooth from size alone.
Possible complications
Untreated malocclusions can lead to:
- chronic injuries to the oral lining and gums
- stomatitis and oral inflammation
- premature tooth wear
- eating difficulties and weight loss
- chronic pain and reduced quality of life
Crowded teeth can be harder to keep clean and encourage plaque accumulation. Plaque-related gingivitis and a mechanical wound caused by a tooth can coexist. However, extensive oral inflammation is not always explained by malocclusion: other dental and systemic diseases are also investigated where needed. Stomatitis is not an inevitable consequence of every abnormal bite.
Diagnosis at the vet
Investigating malocclusion includes:
- clinical oral examination
- assessment of jaw and tooth positions
- X-rays where necessary
- consultation with a veterinary dental specialist
An initial bite assessment usually involves looking at the mouth and jaw position while the cat is awake. A painful mouth is handled carefully. Say whether the difficulty has always been the same or began suddenly and whether eating or play has changed. Previous tooth extractions and jaw injuries are also part of the history.
Dental X-rays reveal structures invisible during a visual mouth examination: roots, surrounding bone and unerupted teeth are beneath the gums. They also help establish whether an apparently missing tooth is truly absent or has failed to erupt. A hidden abnormality can affect which treatment option is safe.
Other sources of pain, such as damage to tooth-supporting tissues or tooth resorption, in which tooth structure breaks down, are sought at the same time. Finding a malocclusion does not exclude them. These findings must be considered before deciding whether to retain or extract a misplaced tooth.
Detailed dental imaging and a more extensive oral examination in cats are performed under anaesthesia. General health and any necessary preliminary tests are assessed beforehand. Anaesthesia is tailored to the individual and the cat's condition monitored during the procedure. An image of visible teeth or a photograph taken at home does not provide equivalent information about roots and jaw structures.
Early detection is particularly important in kittens because some problems can be corrected before growth ends.
Treatment options and follow-up
The aim is a functional mouth without tooth contact that damages tissue. The suitable solution depends on which tooth causes harm, whether it is healthy and the cat's developmental stage. Options include selective extraction, orthodontic tooth movement or crown shortening with appropriate further treatment.
Crown shortening does not mean cutting a tooth tip off at home. The procedure can expose the living pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels, among other structures. The pulp must be treated and the tooth sealed using appropriate methods to prevent bacteria entering. This requires specialist expertise.
Orthodontic treatment changes tooth position using controlled force. Your vet may use suitable attachments or another orthodontic appliance. Results are not immediate, and suitability is assessed individually. Do not try to move a tooth by pressing, pulling or using homemade devices.
If a baby tooth and its permanent successor are present together, your vet promptly assesses whether the baby tooth should be removed. The situation differs if there is no permanent successor and the baby tooth is healthy and causes no crowding. Retaining it with monitoring may then be possible. The decision is based on oral examination and root findings.
A growing kitten's bite is checked again after treatment. An early procedure does not guarantee that every tooth erupting later will align without problems. Adults are also monitored for soft tissue healing and successful eating. Instructions for recovery feeding, medication and mouth handling are tailored to the procedure.
Prevention
Although congenital malocclusions cannot be prevented, complications can be reduced:
- monitor replacement of your kitten's teeth
- arrange timely removal of baby teeth that do not fall out normally
- seek veterinary attention after jaw injuries
- arrange regular dental checks
- maintain dental health with appropriate nutrition and oral hygiene
Removing a baby tooth is a veterinary procedure. Do not wiggle or pull an attached tooth yourself. At home, you can monitor eruption and report abnormalities, but removing the tooth is not your task.
Oral hygiene helps control plaque, but does not straighten misaligned teeth or jaws. Introduce brushing gradually and use toothpaste intended for cats. Ask your vet before brushing a painful or inflamed mouth. Discuss a suspected inherited abnormality before breeding too: correcting a tooth does not change inherited susceptibility.
This text provides general information and does not replace veterinary care. Contact a vet if your cat develops symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Does every malocclusion need correcting?
No. A difference affecting appearance alone may not need correction. Treatment is needed when teeth injure the mouth, prevent normal function or cause pain. Your vet assesses contact points and monitoring needs.
Can a cat eat normally even when its bite is painful?
Yes. A cat may continue eating and hide pain or change its eating style only slightly. Dropping food, drooling and preferring soft food are useful observations, but their absence does not reliably rule out pain.
Does removing a baby tooth always straighten the permanent tooth?
Not reliably. Extraction can free space, but permanent tooth position and jaw growth need checking again later. Some situations require other treatment too. Extraction timing is therefore not decided simply by waiting for a particular age.
This article is for general information only and is not a guide to treatment. If you notice the first signs of illness, contact your vet.
Paw4care editorial team
Sources
- Orthodontics (Moving Teeth) in Cats, VCA, accessed 2026-11-03.
- Developmental Abnormalities of the Mouth and Dentition in Small Animals, Merck Veterinary Manual, accessed 2026-11-03.
- Feline Dental Disease, Cornell University, accessed 2026-11-03.
- AVDC Nomenclature, American Veterinary Dental College, accessed 2026-11-03.
- Pet dental care, American Veterinary Medical Association, accessed 2026-11-03.
- The Importance of Dental X-Rays in Cats, VCA, accessed 2026-11-03.
- Dental Disorders of Cats, Merck Veterinary Manual, accessed 2026-11-03.