Maine Coon Tooth Loss: Causes, Extraction & Prevention

Maine Coon tooth loss wasn’t something I appreciated the significance of until dental problems affected all three of our Maine Coons.

Bali had already had six teeth removed before we adopted him. When we later adopted Bali and Mika together, both were found to have gingivitis at their first veterinary inspection. Mika eventually needed another tooth removed. Our previous Maine Coon, Pippin, had also experienced dental discomfort.

What surprised me most was that none of this necessarily stopped them from eating. Before Mika’s tooth was removed, he continued eating wet and dry food. Instead, we noticed that he would occasionally paw at his face or suddenly shake his head. That head shake became particularly pronounced when his tooth was troubling him.

Pippin showed pain differently. He would tilt his head to one side when eating, chew predominantly on one side of his mouth, and repeatedly drop food. Those experiences taught me an important lesson: A Maine Coon can have considerable dental pain while continuing to eat.

Kittens naturally lose their baby teeth, but an adult Maine Coon should not simply start losing permanent teeth. If an adult tooth becomes loose, disappears, or needs extraction, there is normally an underlying reason that deserves investigation.

For a broader explanation of gingivitis, periodontal disease, kitten teething, tooth resorption, and routine dental care, see our complete Maine Coon Teeth guide.

Is It Normal For Maine Coons To Lose Teeth?

It depends on their age.

Maine Coon Kittens

Tooth loss is completely normal during kitten development. Kittens have 26 deciduous, or baby, teeth, which are replaced by 30 permanent adult teeth. Cats Protection states that the adult set is normally present by around six months of age. You may find tiny discarded teeth during this period, although many kittens swallow their baby teeth without their owners ever seeing them.

Adult Maine Coons

Adult tooth loss is different. Once a permanent tooth is lost, another tooth will not grow in its place. A loose or apparently missing adult tooth can indicate periodontal disease, tooth resorption, trauma, or another oral problem.

If you suddenly notice a gap in your Maine Coon’s mouth, don’t assume the problem has conveniently solved itself because the troublesome tooth has fallen out. Disease may still be present beneath the gumline, part of the root may remain, or what looks like a missing tooth may actually be the result of tooth resorption.

What Causes Maine Coon Tooth Loss?

The major causes fall into four groups.

1. Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease can cause teeth to loosen because it destroys the tissues and bone that hold them securely in the jaw. It often begins with plaque-associated gingivitis. At the gingivitis stage, you may notice red, swollen, or bleeding gums and bad breath. Gingivitis itself does not mean a tooth is doomed to fall out. The concern is progression.

Once inflammation develops into periodontitis, irreversible destruction of the supporting structures around a tooth can occur. The current FelineVMA dental guidelines explain that advanced periodontal disease can result in significant attachment loss and tooth mobility, with extraction sometimes becoming necessary.

This matters to us particularly because both Bali and Mika already had gingivitis when we adopted them. It doesn’t mean they were inevitably going to lose teeth, but it made ongoing dental monitoring especially important.

A UK VetCompass study involving 18,249 cats found periodontal disease recorded in 15.2% of cats overall and 16.7% of Maine Coons. Age was an important risk factor. That doesn’t prove Maine Coons are genetically destined for periodontal disease, but it certainly confirms that it is a relevant health issue for the breed.

For other conditions worth monitoring, see our Maine Coon Health and Wellness guide.

2. Tooth Resorption

Tooth resorption is one of the most important reasons cats lose teeth. During this process, the hard structure of a tooth progressively breaks down. Damage may begin around the root, which means considerable disease can exist beneath the gumline before an owner sees anything obvious.

Cornell identifies tooth resorption as the most common cause of tooth loss in cats. Its cause remains uncertain, and unfortunately there is currently no proven method of preventing it completely. The 2025 FelineVMA guidelines likewise state that no preventive method has yet been found and existing lesions continue to progress.

This distinction is important because owners shouldn’t assume every lost tooth means they failed to brush their cat’s teeth properly. Tooth resorption is not simply untreated plaque. It can also be very painful. Cornell estimates it affects roughly 20-60% of cats, with prevalence increasing considerably with age.

Signs can include:

• Eating on one side
• Tilting the head while chewing
• Dropping food
• Swallowing dry food without chewing normally
• Drooling
• Pawing or rubbing at the mouth
• Suddenly preferring softer food.

These behaviors resonate strongly with our experience of Pippin.

3. Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis, or FCGS, is a severe inflammatory condition affecting tissues inside the mouth. It is very different from mild gingivitis around an individual tooth.

Affected cats can experience extensive oral pain, drooling, bad breath, difficulty eating, and weight loss. For some cats, treatment ultimately involves extraction of many teeth. Current FelineVMA guidance describes partial-mouth and full-mouth extraction as established surgical approaches depending on the pattern and severity of inflammation.

It can sound alarming to remove so many teeth, but when teeth are contributing to chronic inflammation and severe pain, preserving them isn’t necessarily in the cat’s best interests.

4. Broken Or Damaged Teeth

Maine Coons can also lose teeth because of trauma. Falls, accidents, fights, or biting something very hard can fracture a tooth. A minor-looking chip isn’t necessarily the same as a serious fracture, but damage exposing the tooth’s internal pulp can be painful and can lead to infection.

The FelineVMA guidelines recommend proper examination and dental radiography for feline dental trauma because the treatment required depends on the structures involved.

Signs Your Maine Coon May Have A Painful Tooth

Don’t wait for your cat to completely stop eating. Cats are remarkably good at concealing discomfort. Cats Protection notes that cats with dental problems may even continue eating and drinking normally despite oral pain.

Watch instead for changes such as:

• Bad breath
• Red or bleeding gums
• Drooling
• A loose or visibly damaged tooth
• Pawing at the mouth or face
• Unusual face rubbing
• Repeated head shaking
• Chewing mainly on one side
• Tilting the head while eating
• Dropping food
• Suddenly preferring softer food
• Eating more slowly
• Reduced grooming
• Reduced appetite or weight loss.

Mika demonstrates why this matters. He continued to eat both wet and dry food despite the tooth that eventually had to be removed. His face pawing and distinctive sudden head shake were more revealing than his appetite.

Pippin’s signs were different again. He noticeably tilted his head when eating, favored one side of his mouth, and repeatedly dropped food.

The pattern I’ve learned to watch for is therefore not simply: “Is my cat eating?” It’s: “Has the way my cat eats changed?”

Our Experience With Bali, Mika And Pippin

All three of our Maine Coons have taught us something different about dental health.

Bali: Six Teeth Already Removed

Bali had already had six teeth removed before we adopted him. That sounds dramatic when you’re used to thinking of an animal needing all of its teeth to eat normally. In reality, Bali has adapted extremely well. His missing teeth don’t prevent him from enjoying his food or behaving like a perfectly normal cat.

Seeing how well Bali manages has made me far less frightened of extraction itself.

Mika: A Painful Tooth Despite Eating Normally

Mika later developed a tooth that had to be extracted. Before the procedure, he still ate wet and dry food, but we noticed the intermittent face pawing and his increasingly obvious head shake.

When Mika went in for his dental procedure, his teeth were also scaled and polished. Our veterinarian had already explained that one tooth looked likely to require removal. However, the full mouth could be assessed properly while Mika was anesthetized.

We were therefore advised in advance that if the vet found additional teeth that also needed extracting, they would cost approximately £60 per extra tooth. Fortunately, the issue wasn’t simply approached as “one tooth costs £750”.

The overall dental procedure in the UK in 2025 cost us approximately £750, and included the dental work, scale and polish, and the extraction Mika needed. Had further teeth required extraction during the procedure, they would have been added at around £60 each. That gives a much more realistic idea of how feline dental pricing can work: owners may be paying for an entire anesthetized dental procedure rather than simply a fixed price for physically removing one tooth.

Pippin: Changing How He Ate

Pippin made his discomfort easier to recognize. He tilted his head, chewed on one side, and repeatedly dropped food. He still wanted to eat. It was the mechanics of eating that changed. That is probably the single most useful thing our cats have taught me about feline tooth pain.

What Should I Do If My Maine Coon’s Tooth Falls Out?

If an adult tooth unexpectedly disappears, arrange a veterinary examination. Don’t assume: “The bad tooth fell out, so the problem is gone”. Your vet may need to determine why the tooth was lost and whether the entire root is absent.

A large proportion of each tooth is hidden beneath the gumline. The FelineVMA guidelines recommend detailed oral examination and intraoral dental radiography under general anesthesia because X-rays can reveal disease that simply cannot be assessed by looking at the exposed crown.

Depending on the problem, radiographs can reveal resorption, retained roots, periodontal bone loss, or abnormalities affecting apparently normal neighboring teeth. So I would treat spontaneous adult tooth loss as a reason to investigate the mouth, rather than the end of the dental problem.

When Does A Maine Coon Tooth Need To Be Removed?

Veterinarians generally try to preserve functional, healthy teeth. Extraction becomes appropriate when keeping a tooth means leaving a source of significant pain or disease in the mouth.

Reasons may include:

• Advanced periodontal disease
• Painful tooth resorption
• Severe fractures
• Pulp or root disease
• Severe FCGS
• Irreversibly loose or damaged teeth.

The important question isn’t: “How do we avoid extraction at all costs?” It is: “Is this tooth still benefiting my cat?”. A diseased tooth isn’t valuable merely because it remains physically attached. Sometimes removing it is what allows the cat to become comfortable again.

What Happens During A Dental Extraction?

Feline dental extraction is performed under general anesthesia. This allows the veterinary team to examine the mouth properly, assess periodontal health, take dental X-rays where required, clean the teeth, and perform any necessary extractions.

That explains our experience with Mika. Although one tooth already looked likely to require removal, his dental was also an opportunity for the vet to perform his scale and polish and properly evaluate the rest of his mouth.

The current FelineVMA guidelines emphasize that anesthesia, dental radiography, and appropriate pain control are integral to feline dental treatment.

With tooth resorption in particular, the radiographic appearance determines how the affected tooth should be treated. This is why feline dentistry is much more involved than simply “pulling a tooth”.

What Is Recovery Like After Tooth Extraction?

Recovery depends on the number and location of teeth removed and the underlying disease. Follow your own veterinarian’s postoperative instructions because your cat’s treatment may be different from another cat’s. Pain medication should be given exactly as prescribed, and your vet may recommend softer food while the extraction site heals.

Seek veterinary advice if your cat seems increasingly painful or unwell, develops significant swelling or bleeding, or isn’t eating as expected after the procedure.

Don’t brush across fresh extraction sites until your veterinary team says the mouth has healed sufficiently.

Can Maine Coons Eat Normally With Missing Teeth?

Often, yes. Bali is a good example. He had already lost six teeth before joining our family, but having fewer teeth hasn’t prevented him from enjoying food. Cats don’t process food exactly as humans do. Their teeth are primarily designed for gripping, puncturing, cutting, and shearing rather than prolonged grinding. Cats can consequently adapt surprisingly well to missing teeth.

Even animals requiring extensive extraction can often return to eating successfully once the painful disease has been removed and their mouth has healed.

Immediately after surgery is different, so always follow your vet’s feeding advice during recovery. Long-term, however, a comfortable cat with fewer teeth can eat far better than a cat trying to protect painful ones.

Can Maine Coon Tooth Loss Be Prevented?

Some causes can be reduced. Others cannot currently be prevented reliably.

Control Plaque

Periodontal disease is the cause where home dental care can make the greatest difference. Regular brushing mechanically disrupts plaque before it accumulates. Use toothpaste specifically designed for cats rather than human toothpaste, and introduce brushing gradually.

If you need help choosing one, our guide to cat toothpaste for Maine Coons explains what to look for.

Don’t brush an obviously painful or severely inflamed mouth without having it assessed first.

Don’t Blame Yourself For Tooth Resorption

Brushing is valuable, but it cannot guarantee that your Maine Coon will never lose a tooth. The cause of feline tooth resorption remains incompletely understood, and there is currently no proven way to prevent it. Owners shouldn’t therefore interpret every resorptive lesion or extraction as evidence that they failed their cat’s dental care.

Choose Dental Products With Evidence

Dental treats and additives vary enormously. Rather than assuming anything labeled “dental” works, check whether the product has evidence supporting its plaque or tartar claim. The Veterinary Oral Health Council’s accepted-products list includes feline dental diets, treats, water additives, oral products, toothbrushes, and wipes that have earned its Seal of Acceptance.

These can complement tooth brushing and veterinary care rather than replacing them.

Have Teeth Checked Regularly

Routine veterinary examinations provide an opportunity to spot gingivitis, tartar, fractures, loose teeth, and other changes before they become more severe. Cats Protection recommends regular veterinary dental checks because owners can be surprised by the degree of disease a cat has managed to conceal.

Our Maine Coon annual vet check-up guide covers the other routine checks worth discussing with your veterinarian.

Maine Coon Tooth Extraction Costs And Insurance

Dental disease has taught us a second lesson: read the dental section of your pet insurance policy carefully.

When Bali and Mika had their first veterinary examinations after we adopted them, both were diagnosed with gingivitis. Because dental disease was already documented, our insurer excluded their teeth from cover. We were told that if the cats could go a full year without dental problems, dental cover could potentially be added. Unfortunately, that never happened. They continued having dental issues, so we have had to pay substantial bills ourselves.

Our first insurer for Pippin didn’t cover dental care at all.

For Mika’s 2025 procedure, we paid approximately £750 for the dental treatment that included his scale and polish and the extraction that proved necessary. We had also been advised beforehand that any additional teeth discovered to need removal during the procedure would cost around £60 each.

Prices obviously vary between veterinary practices and according to what an individual cat requires. Our experience shouldn’t be treated as a national price list. It does demonstrate why understanding your insurance matters, though.

Cats Protection specifically advises checking whether a policy covers dental illness as well as dental injury, and notes that pre-existing conditions may be excluded.

So don’t merely ask whether a policy includes veterinary fees. Ask whether it includes dental illness, what preventative dental checks are required to maintain that cover, and what happens if gingivitis or another dental condition is recorded before the policy begins.

Our experience shows how important that distinction can become.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Normal For A Maine Coon Kitten To Lose Teeth?

Yes. Kittens naturally lose their baby teeth as the adult teeth erupt, usually during the first six months or so of life. Adult permanent tooth loss is different and should be investigated.

Can An Adult Maine Coon Tooth Just Fall Out?

It can become loose or disappear because of disease such as advanced periodontitis or tooth resorption, but spontaneous adult tooth loss isn’t something I would simply ignore. Have the mouth examined to determine what caused it and whether disease remains below the gum.

What Is The Most Common Cause Of Tooth Loss In Cats?

Cornell identifies tooth resorption as the most common cause of tooth loss in cats. Periodontal disease is another major reason teeth become mobile or require extraction.

Should I Pull A Loose Maine Coon Tooth At Home?

No. A loose permanent tooth can have significant disease around or beneath it. Trying to pull it yourself could cause pain, leave diseased root material behind, or injure surrounding tissues. Have it assessed by a veterinarian.

Can Maine Coons Eat Dry Food After Losing Teeth?

Many cats can eventually eat dry food even after losing multiple teeth. Bali manages extremely well despite having six teeth removed before we adopted him. Immediately after extraction, however, follow your veterinarian’s feeding instructions while the mouth heals.

Does Losing Teeth Mean My Maine Coon Will Have A Poor Quality Of Life?

No. The important factor is whether the mouth is comfortable and the underlying disease has been treated. A cat with fewer healthy, comfortable teeth may have a substantially better quality of life than a cat retaining painful diseased teeth.

Final Thoughts

Maine Coon tooth loss isn’t always preventable, and it doesn’t automatically mean an owner has failed to care for their cat’s teeth. Some causes, particularly periodontal disease, can be influenced by plaque control and early treatment. Others, such as tooth resorption, remain poorly understood and cannot currently be reliably prevented.

Our own cats have taught us not to focus purely on the number of teeth remaining. Bali had already lost six teeth before we adopted him and eats happily. Mika continued eating despite a tooth painful enough to require extraction. Pippin kept eating too, but tilted his head, chewed on one side, and dropped food.

I no longer use appetite alone as reassurance that a Maine Coon’s mouth isn’t hurting. Watch how your cat eats as well as whether they eat. And if your vet recommends removing an irreversibly painful tooth, remember that preserving every tooth isn’t the ultimate goal. The goal is a healthy, pain-free mouth.