When Lars Got a Toothache (Again): Our Journey with Resorptive Lesions

Lucy
Oct 8
4 min read

Here’s the Scoop:

What on earth are resorptive lesions? (Spoiler: they're not fun)
Why some cats are more prone to them
What happened when Lars went through a rough extraction last time
Why this new swollen gum scared the heck out of me
A hopeful new product I’m trying: Plaque Off

What Are Resorptive Lesions?

Let’s start with the basics. If you're a cat parent and you've never heard of resorptive lesions, consider yourself lucky. These little dental nightmares are like cavities...but worse.

Technically known as Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORLs), they happen when a cat’s body starts dissolving its own tooth from the inside out. Yeah. It's as bad as it sounds.

They often show up at the gumline and can be hard to spot unless you know what to look for...or unless your cat starts drooling, refusing food or hiding under the bed giving you the side-eye of doom.

The cause? Still somewhat mysterious. Genetics, inflammation and immune response are all suspected. But what we do know is this: they hurt. And once they start, there’s really no reversing the damage.

Lars and His First Extractions

My sweet boy Lars had two teeth removed last time due to these dreaded lesions. And honestly? It was traumatic for both of us.

He’s extremely sensitive to pain, way more than the vet expected. After his procedure, he didn’t bounce back. Instead, he crashed hard and had to be hospitalized for a day. Seeing him like that made me break down, big time. I remember thinking, “I never want to put him through that again.” And yet…a few weeks ago, we had a déjà vu moment.

That Familiar Swelling

I was doing my usual snoop on Lars' teeth when I noticed something that made my stomach drop: red, swollen gums near one of his remaining teeth.

Cue: panic, flashbacks, spiraling, tears. I took him to the vet, terrified we were about to start the whole process over again.

But to my surprise (and deep, grateful relief), my vet didn’t find that telltale softness or divot that screams “resorptive lesion.” She said it could just be gingivitis. Or it could be the start of another lesion. But instead of jumping to action, she recommended…waiting. For a few months. To see what it turns into.

I blinked. Wait? That’s it?

But then she explained that if it is a lesion, it’ll become obvious soon enough. And if it’s not, well...hallelujah! Just a cleaning. Either way, we’ll know more at the next recheck.

A Vet Who Sees Both the Cat and the Caregiver

When she mentioned the possibility of another extraction, I cried. Right there in the exam room.

But my vet, bless her, is the kind of person who doesn’t just care for cats...she cares for cat people. She hugged me. She reassured me. She promised this time would be different if it came to that.

More pain meds, better prep, more support for Lars’s sensitive system. We’re not chancing it this time. And that reassurance made all the difference for me.

Enter: Plaque Off (Seaweed to the Rescue?)

In the meantime, I’m not just twiddling my thumbs. I went digging for something...anything...that could help prevent this from getting worse.

That’s when I found Plaque Off, a natural dental powder made from a specific kind of seaweed. And I’ll be honest: I think this stuff is kind of genius.

Here’s how it works: the seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum, if you’re feeling fancy) is absorbed into your cat’s system and makes its way into their saliva. Once there, it interferes with the way plaque sticks to the teeth and may even soften existing tartar over time.

So, it doesn’t scrub like a toothbrush, it changes the chemistry of the mouth. Amazing, right?

Why I’m Feeling Hopeful (And You Can Too)

Lars has been on Plaque Off for two weeks now. I mix it into his food once a day and he doesn't even notice it’s there. (Victory!) We’ll keep going for the next few months and I’m so hopeful that we’ll see an improvement at his recheck.

If this works, it’s going into my permanent dental tool kit for all my cats. And honestly? Even if it doesn’t fix everything, just having a plan, something to do while I wait, makes me feel less helpless.

I’ll keep you posted after Lars’s next appointment. I'm praying for good news and no lesions!

Takeaway Treats:

Resorptive lesions are a painful, degenerative dental condition in cats, often requiring extraction.
Lars has already had two extractions and another suspicious tooth has us on watch again.
Waiting and watching can be nerve-wracking, but sometimes it’s the wisest course.
Plaque Off is a seaweed-based powder that may help reduce plaque and tartar before lesions start.
Supportive vets make a world of difference for both cats and their humans.
You’re not alone if dental issues feel overwhelming. I’m right there with you, praying and plaque-fighting every step of the way.