Why does a cat grind its teeth: physical and psychological reasons

Teeth grinding is different from the up and down motion of cats when they chew their food. It is easy to detect because it sounds like a clicking or knocking sound when the cat's jaw moves from side to side.

Teeth grinding in cats (bruxism) is often a symptom of dental problems. Any dental problem that causes oral pain or jaw dislocation can cause your cat to grind her teeth. Other painful problems that cause a cat to grind their teeth include irritable bowel syndrome, neurological problems, liver disease and kidney failure.

In cats, teeth grinding is not a tic, but rather a symptom of an underlying problem. Bruxism in cats is often a sign that the cat is in pain. Teeth grinding is common but not normal, so the cause must be identified and addressed.

Resorption of cat teeth

If your cat is constantly clicking or chattering his lower jaw, it may be due to severe pain caused by the cat's teeth resolving.

Tooth resorption in cats is the most common oral disease, affecting 30 to 40 percent of healthy adult cats and 60 to 80 percent of kittens. Persians and Siamese are the most susceptible to this disease. The exact cause of tooth resorption in cats is unknown.

Tooth resorption is the progressive loss of a tooth (or teeth) caused by cells called odontoclasts. Tooth erosion begins on the dentin and cementum (outside the tooth at the gum line) and usually occurs on the mandibular premolar teeth. However, any tooth is at risk.

As the tooth decays, it eventually breaks, resulting in the loss of the entire tooth and its root. Your veterinarian may prescribe pain medications and antibiotics to treat this condition.

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What to do

The least dangerous situation is if the grinding and clicking of the tongue is associated with the appearance of tartar. In this case, professional cleaning is carried out to eliminate the cause of unpleasant symptoms and sounds. You can also improve the condition of teeth with periodontal disease.

In order to sanitize the oral cavity, clean it of bacteria and harmful microorganisms, you need to wipe the cat’s mouth with a solution of chlorhexidine and furatsilin once every six months. Metrogyl gel is also used for such purposes.

But if the sounds are caused by diseases, you need to immediately begin examination, diagnosis, and treatment. A biochemical blood test is required to show the presence of renal or liver failure or other diseases. You should not delay the process, as every day the pet’s condition worsens and the disease becomes more advanced.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis, also known as inflammatory gum disease or periodontal disease, affects 70 percent of cats aged 3 years and older. The chance of gingivitis increases by 20 percent every year a cat is alive.

According to the Journal of Nutrition, the accumulation of bacteria and plaque on the surface of teeth is the most common cause of gum disease.

Inflammatory gum disease often begins with inflammation of one tooth. When the lining of your cat's mouth becomes inflamed due to gingivitis, it can cause pain and result in your cat grinding her teeth. Gingivitis can affect some or all of a cat's deep tooth supporting structures.

If left untreated, complications caused by inflammatory gum disease can be irreversible. According to the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, these include severe inflammation, tartar below the gum line, gum recession, missing teeth, bleeding and pus from the gums, significant bone loss and permanent tooth loss.

How to accurately determine the cause

To reliably determine why a cat’s teeth grind, the animal must be shown to a veterinarian.

Diagnosis begins with a visual examination by a specialist and collection of anamnesis.

Pathologies of the gums and teeth can be determined using x-ray or ultrasound.

To establish an accurate diagnosis, a blood test for biochemistry and a urine test are performed.

It is important to make an accurate diagnosis; the correct treatment and elimination of symptoms depend on this.

Tooth fractures

If you've seen a cat play, you know that it will put anything in its mouth. This can lead to dental trauma and tooth fractures. Tooth fractures are painful and can lead to teeth grinding.

Most often, the upper canines of cats break. When a cat bites a hard object or applies too much pressure with its teeth, the canine can crack.

Cats also like to perch and climb onto high surfaces. Unfortunately, cats don't fall on their feet all the time. If a cat jumps from a high surface and hits its head when landing, it may have one or more broken teeth.

How is the treatment carried out?

Surgical intervention

Timely vaccination and deworming can protect your pet from dangerous diseases that cause jaw clicking.

Surgery is necessary for purulent-inflammatory process of the jaw. The cavity is opened, pus is removed, drainage is performed, and the wound is cleaned. For osteomyelitis, a sequestrotomy is performed to remove dead areas of bone, periosteum and bone marrow. In case of displaced or open fractures of the jaw, the broken fragments are fastened with metal synthesis instruments.

Drug therapy

The treatment regimen is determined by the doctor based on the etiology of the disease. Rabies is incurable because it is quickly fatal. For tetanus, antitetanus serum is administered, and anticonvulsants are recommended. Purulent-inflammatory processes are treated with antibiotics, which are prescribed by a veterinarian after identifying the pathogen. For helminthic infestations, anthelmintic drugs are effective, and vitamin-mineral complexes are effective to strengthen the body. It is also recommended to cure concomitant kidney diseases.

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Feline stomatitis

Feline stomatitis is an oral disease that causes painful sores on the gums and lining of the mouth. Cats by nature tend to hide their pain. However, the pain from this condition can be so severe that it causes them to scream while opening their mouth.

Behavioral changes are the first signs owners notice of feline stomatitis because mouth sores and inflammation are not always obvious. Your hungry cat may approach her food bowl, only to hiss at it and run away. Veterinarians call this behavior "approach avoidance" because the cat expects eating the food to be painful.

According to Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, stomatitis in cats is considered autoimmune. The immune system overreacts to plaque, causing severe inflammation in the mouth. Ulcers and inflammation can also occur in the throat, as well as in the underlying bone of the mouth, where infection is likely.

Stressful state

It is common for all living beings to clench their teeth when under stress . People close their jaws and clench their fists not because they are preparing for a fight, but because it is a reflex. All muscles tense, as if compressed, adrenaline enters the blood, and the brain does everything to ensure survival. In this regard, our pets are not much different from people, only stressed teeth grinding most often manifests itself as a delayed reaction.

Malocclusion and TMJ

Misalignment of teeth (bad bite) results in grinding or friction between the upper and lower teeth. This is commonly seen in brachycephalic, flat-faced breeds such as Persians. Because of their short faces, their teeth do not grow straight.

Siamese cats are also at risk because their long, pointed faces can cause the upper canines to move too far forward, causing an overbite.

Some cats may suffer from a condition called extrusion, where their canines grow abnormally long. This can also lead to squeaking. Poorly aligned teeth cause a shift in the movement of the jaw joint, causing teeth grinding and temporomandibular joint pain.

Although TMJ is not considered an oral structure, it is one of the most common reasons why cats grind their teeth. The temporomandibular joint is a hinge joint where the jaw attaches to the skull. There are two temporomandibular joints on each side of the face that work simultaneously to allow the jaw to move.

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Any TMJ problem will cause pain when the cat tries to open and close its mouth. Temporomandibular joint pain not only makes it difficult to move the mouth, but can also interfere with chewing and cause loss of appetite in cats.

If your cat does not have dental problems, your veterinarian may order blood and urine tests. Talk to your veterinarian about consulting a qualified chiropractor to evaluate your cat's TMJ condition.

Diagnostics

It is important to conduct a thorough examination as some causes of dysphagia may be detected. Your veterinarian may recommend the following tests:

• Complete examination of the oral cavity under anesthesia
• General blood analysis
• Blood chemistry
• Analysis of urine
• X-ray of mouth, skull, teeth and neck
• Chest X-ray if your pet is coughing

Additional studies may also be prescribed, such as:

• Ultrasound of the throat
• Pharyngoscopy (examination of the throat using a special mirror)
• Barium fluoroscopy
• Myanesthenia blood test, to detect sore muscles responsible for chewing or other autoimmune disorders
• Hormone analysis
• Electrodiagnostic studies
• Biopsy and cytology of tumors and cysts

Oral cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form of oral cancer in cats. Middle-aged and older cats are at greater risk, but it has been seen in younger cats as well.

Carcinomas grow very quickly and often invade nearby tissue and bone. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Grinding of teeth
• Drooling
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Growth in the mouth
• Swollen face
• Swelling in the neck or under the jaw
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Weight loss

The exact reason is unknown. However, veterinary pathology suggests that secondhand smoke may be associated with squamous cell carcinoma in cats.

Prevention

The general condition of the pet largely depends on the health of the teeth and oral cavity. Teeth do not have to hurt so that the cat cannot eat or chew food normally, without pain . Tartar, enamel damage, and periodontal disease cause discomfort and unpleasant sensations. If there is inflammation of the gums in the mouth, the pet will not be able to eat normally, it will lose weight, and its general condition will worsen.

In animals, all body systems are also closely connected, just like in humans. And teeth take an active part in food consumption, on which health and activity depend. Development of the cat's body. Therefore, every normal owner, having taken responsibility for the cat, must also monitor the condition of his mouth and teeth.

IMPORTANT! If there are deviations, modern methods of veterinary dentistry can cope with any.

Grinding can be caused by such pathologies in the development of the dental-jaw system as uneven growth of the incisors, an incomplete set of teeth, or a superset. The cat may develop an abnormal bite or improper jaw position, which also interferes with normal chewing of food and causes characteristic sounds.

Even too large fangs are not the norm for a cat’s body. Such pathologies of the development of the jaw and teeth are not just of an aesthetic nature and cause some inconvenience. In this case, the cat may experience pain, not only when eating. Only a doctor can help a poor animal, and taking it to a specialist is the owner’s responsibility.

The owner can do the first inspection himself to see the presence of pathology; it is convenient to use a small flashlight for inspection.

One of the problems with dental health is the cat's consumption of only dry ready-made food. The food can be prepared, but you need to alternate dry food with soft food so that the teeth develop normally and are in good condition.

Stress and anxiety

Bruxism usually occurs as a result of an underlying oral or gastrointestinal disorder. Although causes such as stress and anxiety are less common, they can be contributing factors. Cats living with unfriendly or dominant felines have been reported to grind their teeth.

Stress can also be caused by oral masses, ulcerations, broken teeth, gastrointestinal problems and malocclusions due to the severe pain associated with these problems. Therefore, it is impossible to confirm whether a sick cat's teeth grinding is due to pain or stress caused by it.

Cat clicks its jaw

If a cat grinds its teeth or clicks its jaw, this may be a symptom of traumatic injuries, infectious diseases or inflammatory processes, or helminthic infestations. Clicking is accompanied by loss of appetite, cramps, and inflammation of the gums. To identify the etiology of the squeaking, the owner must take the cat to a veterinarian, who will conduct a diagnosis and prescribe medication or surgery.

According to veterinarians, one of the reasons that causes a cat to grind his teeth in his sleep is the chronic stressful state in which the animal is.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux is the uncontrolled upward flow of stomach acid into the tube connecting the stomach and throat. Acid reflux is common in cats and can occur at any age. However, young cats are most at risk.

Cats often swallow acid several times to clear their mouth and throat. This can lead to teeth grinding.

Gastric juices contain stomach acid, bile salts, pepsin and other substances that can damage the protective lining of the esophagus. This results in mild to severe inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, causing pain and discomfort.

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Reasons: why does a cat chatter his jaw?

Traumatic injuries

If your cat has pain in chewing or refuses to eat at all, this may be a symptom of a jaw injury. Typically, a dislocation of the mandibular joint or a closed fracture is diagnosed if the articular ligament is stretched or torn. Bones crunch when trying to open the mouth, saliva flows, the animal cannot eat or eats reluctantly, smacks its lips while eating, and there is pronounced deformation and asymmetry of the muzzle. The cat also clicks its jaw due to a traumatic brain injury. Cause:

Infectious diseases

Tetanus (tetanus)

The causative agent is the tetanus bacillus. However, cats are resistant to the microorganism and rarely suffer from tetanus. More common in kittens or older animals due to immature or weakened immunity. Infection occurs through a puncture or cut wound with an object on which the bacteria is present. Once in the cat's body, the microbe releases a strong toxin that affects the nervous system. If a cat grinds its teeth, this is the first symptom of the disease, since at the initial stage the toxin affects the jaw muscles. Then strong convulsions of the whole body are observed, the cat gasps for air. The disease is fatal due to spasm of the heart muscles.

Osteomyelitis

The disease is characterized by bacterial inflammation of the jaw tissue - periosteum, bone body, bone marrow. A kitten can get sick when changing teeth if the wound gets infected. The cat refuses to eat and play, its temperature rises, its breathing and heart rate are disrupted, and its lymph nodes become enlarged. The disease develops due to the following factors:

Rabies

A deadly disease caused by the Rabies virus. The microorganism spreads through the nervous tissue and reaches the spinal cord and brain, causing irreversible dysfunction. The cat grinds its teeth, develops aggression and anxiety, cramps of all muscles of the body, drooling, photophobia, poor coordination of movements, panic fear of water (the animal refuses to drink). Infection occurs when a sick animal bites or licks a healthy animal.

Non-communicable diseases

Uremic gastritis

The disease occurs against the background of renal pathologies - urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, renal failure. Protein metabolism in the body is disrupted, and urea levels increase. This causes the stomach lining to become irritated as toxins accumulate in the gastric juices. With the bloodstream, urea and bile acids enter the tissues of the oral cavity, causing itching in the gums. To get rid of it, the cat clenches its jaws, and due to the effects of uric acid salts, tooth enamel is destroyed, causing the teeth to grind when the animal eats.

Worm infestation

If a cat crunches its teeth and jaw when chewing, this indicates infection with roundworms, tapeworm, hookworm, and toxocara. Worms cause abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea, which causes the pet to reflexively clench its jaw. In addition, parasites manifest themselves as intestinal upset, loss of appetite, decreased immunity, and dull coat. Routes of infection:

Food

Teeth grinding is usually associated with mouth pain. So if your cat has gum problems, sensitive teeth, or mouth pain, dry food may make your cat's condition worse, causing your cat to grind her teeth. To avoid anorexia in your cat, avoid dry food and offer only wet food until you can see a veterinarian.

Dental problems can occur due to a diet rich in grains. Make sure you feed your cat a high-quality, high-protein, zero-grain diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Causes of pathology during sleep

An animal may also grind its teeth in a dream. Usually this condition is a consequence of a stressful situation experienced. After nervous shock, a cat's jaw may clench when it sleeps.

This phenomenon in veterinary medicine is called stress bruxism.

Another reason is the pet’s recovery from anesthesia after surgery.

A cat grinds its teeth in its sleep due to helminthic infestation. If parasites in the animal’s body are activated, then these signs become more intense.

Neurological disorders

Neurological disorders such as absence seizures or focal seizures can manifest as teeth grinding in cats.

Seizures occur when the cerebral cortex does not function normally. The body reacts to this abnormal brain function by losing voluntary function, resulting in severe body shaking.

If your cat is having a focal seizure, she will scream loudly as if she is in pain. Even if your cat is not aggressive, she may act hostile. Other symptoms include excessive drooling and general atypical behavior. Some cats may feel like they are chewing (or grinding their teeth) and/or lose function of one leg.

Absence seizure, or petit mal seizure, in cats is a mild seizure that causes a brief loss of consciousness. The cat may appear to be looking into space. During a seizure, your cat may grind its teeth.

Diseases

Veterinarians always pay serious attention to the manifestation of these symptoms in the behavior of cats. Therefore, if the owner notices that the cat’s lower jaw periodically twitches or he clicks his tongue, grinds his teeth and does not eat, he must tell a specialist about this.

What could this indicate?

There are a number of serious diseases that can also be manifested by the presence of sounds such as grinding and clicking:

1. In case of renal failure, urate accumulates on the tooth enamel. Because of them, the enamel becomes rough, which is why when teeth rub, a characteristic sound is produced. Kidney failure will also be indicated by a specific smell from urine from the cat's mouth.
2. Perhaps the pet has developed uremic gastritis due to the same renal failure. And the enamel is destroyed due to the effects of stomach acid and urea salts.
3. A dangerous situation if the grinding also became a manifestation of liver failure. In this case, the products of bile metabolism pathologically enter the cat’s mouth, causing itching of the gums and a feeling of bitterness. This is unpleasant; the cat will try to rub its gums in some way.

Cutting teeth can be a signal that your cat is rabid. With such a serious and dangerous disease, the animal also has problems with the movement of the lower jaw. Trying to make such a movement, the cat grinds its teeth and clicks its jaw. If you also notice aggression from a pet that was usually calm, you should immediately try to isolate it.

Indoors, the cat should remain under supervision for some time. You should also call a veterinarian who will take a cerebrospinal fluid test.

This disease is fatal and dangerous for people, so it is better to exercise excessive caution than to end up in a dangerous situation later. Unfortunately, the disease cannot be cured; the animal will need to be euthanized.

At such a moment, it is important to think about the safety of the cat owner and his family.

Caution must not be neglected

ATTENTION! Doctors recommend injections to family members, which should protect against rabies. Injections are carried out over a long period of time; you need to receive seven injections over six months.

When an animal is undergoing surgery, after anesthesia it may also grind its teeth, since in any case it feels pain at first. In addition, the body has suffered severe intoxication due to anesthesia, which can cause grinding.

Dehydration

Dehydration increases stomach acid, causing acid reflux. Acid reflux is a common cause of bruxism.

When a cat is dehydrated, it will exhibit a number of symptoms, including sunken eyes and lethargy. A classic sign of dehydration in cats is skin tension. When you pinch a cat's shoulders, it will remain standing if it is dehydrated. Dehydration in cats is a serious problem that requires immediate attention from a veterinarian.

Most oral diseases associated with teeth grinding can be diagnosed by examining your cat's mouth. In some cases, X-rays, CT scans, and magnetic resonance imaging may be needed to determine the exact cause. If the disease occurs outside the mouth, your veterinarian may order other tests, such as blood tests, to diagnose your pet's condition.

Keep in mind that since teeth grinding is almost always associated with pain, your cat's treatment plan will also include pain management. If an infection is detected, antibiotics may be prescribed.

Article Author: Richard Parker I'm Richard, I have experience in all matters related to feline health, behavior, grooming techniques and general pet care. Richard graduated with a degree in journalism in 2008. He is the proud owner of 5 adult cats (all adopted stray breeds), including an older cat who is now 20 years old.

Pediatric bruxism

Bruxism occurs in 35–50% of children. As a rule, children grind their teeth only in their sleep: at night there are several attacks that last no more than 8–10 seconds. Attacks are usually observed during teething, both milk and molars.

Causes of Bruxism

Parents often wonder why their child grinds his teeth in his sleep. Unfortunately, no doctor knows the exact causes of bruxism in children. Experts correlate the occurrence of the disease with factors such as:

• teething pain;
• psychological factors: stress, anxiety, abnormal emotional development;
• neurological factors: epilepsy, enuresis, etc.;
• dental factors: malocclusion and dentition (extra teeth, adentia), improper orthodontic treatment (incorrectly selected braces, etc.);
• dehydration of the body;
• allergy;
• helminthiasis (worms);
• intoxication due to various diseases;
• endocrine disorders, etc.

Dangerous symptoms: when should you see a doctor?

The question of when to start treatment for bruxism in children worries many parents. As a rule, the disease goes away on its own, without any consequences, by the age of 12–13 years. This is due to the fact that by this period the formation of molars is completed. No treatment is required for this form of bruxism.

However, there are times when the picture is not so rosy. You should contact your doctor immediately if your child exhibits the following symptoms:

• headache and/or toothache in the morning;
• rapid wear of teeth;
• long and intense attacks at night (more than 10 seconds).

Complicated bruxism in children leads to quite unpleasant consequences, including gum disease and significant tooth wear.

Treatment of bruxism

Typically, medical attention for childhood bruxism is not required. However, if you have alarming symptoms, you should contact your dentist in order to prevent complications.

The doctor determines the root cause of the disease and, based on this, prescribes treatment. Children's bruxism is corrected by the following specialists:

• orthodontist;
• neurologist;
• psychologist.

Psychological help

The psyche of children and teenagers is unstable. Therefore, psychological factors, including anxiety, often lead to the development of bruxism.

In an anxious state, other symptoms may be observed: the habit of pulling and twisting hair, biting nails, etc.

The trigger for bruxism can be changes in a child’s life: moving, changing schools, parents’ divorce, various conflicts, etc. In such cases, a psychologist will help.

What should the mother do and how to help the child?

You can help your child cope with teeth grinding at home. The task of parents is to relax the child, especially in the evening. Suitable for relieving tension:

• massage;
• exercise therapy;
• correct daily routine;
• walks in the open air;
• drinking enough water;
• exclusion from the diet of foods that excite the nervous system: chocolate, coffee, tea, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, etc.;
• last meal – an hour before bedtime;
• hot bath before bed;
• refusal of active games, quiet activities in the evening: drawing, listening to lullabies, etc.

In addition, heart-to-heart conversations with your child can help. If the child does not speak out, he will go to bed with anxious thoughts. This will trigger an attack.

The following techniques will help reduce facial muscle tension:

• heat compresses (including for pain in the morning);
• chewing solid food;
• giving up chewing gum.

Infection with worms

They say that if a person grinds his teeth, then he has worms. This is not a definite, but very likely diagnosis for both people and animals. The degree of harm caused depends on the progression of the invasion, in other words, on the number of parasites living in the cat’s body.

Worms that parasitize the intestines can cause bruxism if the infestation is severe. The reason for teeth grinding is discomfort from a bursting feeling in the intestines and itching. Unpleasant sounds are not all the consequences of severe infestation; if a cat has not been treated for worms for more than a year, it will most likely have problems with metabolism, lack of vitamins and microelements.

There are dozens of types of parasites that are not limited to living in the intestines. Helminth eggs travel with the blood throughout the body and settle in the necessary organs: the heart, liver, lungs and brain. If a cat's brain is affected by helminths, it will experience neurological disorders , one of which is bruxism.

Note! Professionals recommend preventing worms in cats once every 3-4 months, regardless of whether the pet goes outside. Helminth eggs can be in food, on your shoes, clothes or unwashed hands.

Other causes of teeth grinding

Replacing baby teeth doesn't always go smoothly. In cases where the owner notices that the kitten’s teeth have begun to grind, it is necessary to look into its mouth. Permanent teeth can grow next to baby teeth. Loose baby teeth cause teeth to grind. A month after the teeth change begins, the grinding disappears. An exception is preserving the baby tooth(s) when the kitten is six months old. This tooth is removed in a veterinary clinic.

The cause of teeth grinding can be neurological disorders after anesthesia . Exceeding the dose of anesthetic, a delay in removing it from the body, features of the nervous system - all this can affect the cat’s condition. In such cases, the cat’s teeth grind, regardless of time and food intake.

When a cat’s teeth grind in a dream, it means that the animal has suffered a nervous shock. The stress experienced has a delayed reaction in the form of jaw clenching in sleep.

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Grinding of teeth, nausea or vomiting in a cat

Sometimes the grinding is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms. If a cat is sick or vomiting, then these symptoms may indicate the presence of parasites in the pet’s body, diarrhea or constipation develops, appetite worsens, and body weight decreases.

A cat burps and grinds its teeth if it suffers from uremic gastritis or liver diseases.

The animal eats poorly and often makes chewing movements.

Additional symptoms include:

The animal vomits when kidney problems develop. Such pathologies are accompanied by frequent urination, nausea, lethargy and apathy.