DENTAL CARE FOR HORSES

Dental care is an important part of horse management. Dental problems are best prevented by dental exams with your veterinarian once or twice a year.

The teeth of horses continually grow throughout the majority of the horse’s life. The teeth can be used to estimate a horse’s age. However, certain dental problems, such as a malocclusion (upper an lower teeth do not meet), broken teeth and abnormal wear (as from cribbing) can make it difficult to estimate a horse’s age.

To do a quick examination of your horse’s teeth:

1. Always wear rubber gloves when examining an animals mouth.

2. Lift the upper lip and observe the gums and upper incisors. This is also where lip tattoos are located and where you can assess your horse’s mucus membrane color.

3. Pull down the lower lip with one hand and use the other hand to pull out the corner of the mouth. Observe the first few molars for hooks and points. These teeth in general, can reflect what the rest of the molars can look like.

Dental problems can lead to eating difficulties, unwillingness to accept the bit, mouth injuries or sinus infections. Signs of dental disease include weight loss, difficulty chewing, dropping or "balling" of hay or grass while chewing, head tossing during riding, nasal discharge, facial swelling, and undigested grain in the manure.

IMPORTANT POINTS IN TREATMENT

• FLOATING: A horse’s teeth periodically need to filed or "floated" to remove sharp points on the outside edges of the upper molars and inside edges of the lower molars. The average horse requires floating yearly to prevent injury to the cheeks and tongue. "Hooks" or mismatched teeth may need to be cut and smoothed.

• WOLF TEETH: These are the rudimentary first upper pre-molars located near the large upper second pre-molars. These first appear in late yearlings. Bitting problems are more likely if the wolf teeth are small and/or loose. It is suggested they be removed if one is having bitting problems. Wolf tooth extraction/removal is a relatively simple procedure that can be performed by your veterinarian under light sedation.

• TARTAR: Accumulations of yellow-brown tartar or calculus around the base of the teeth is normal. During the animal’s yearly dental exam, this can be removed. Removal will aid in prevention of gum disease and tooth loss. Tartar usually accumulates around the canine teeth and occasionally the incisors..

• INFECTION: Infection of an upper tooth can spread to the bony compartment between the roof of the mouth and the eye (maxillary sinus) causing sinus infection and pain. There can be a discharge from one or both nostrils. Infection of a lower tooth can cause swelling along the jaw bone. Horses with tooth infections may have an unpleasant "rotten" odor about the mouth or emanating from the nostril on the same side as the infection.

• MALOCCLUSION: When a tooth is missing, the tooth in the opposite arcade continues to grow and may require periodic cutting to prevent mouth injury and to allow normal chewing.

• FEED RETENTION: Occasionally a horse retains feed in its mouth between the teeth and cheek. This packed accumulation of feed can stretch the cheek, forming a pouch. Daily removal or flushing of the mouth from this area may help resolve the problem.

DIAGNOSIS OF DENTAL DISEASE

The following diagnostic tests are available to evaluate a horse’s problem:

1. External and Oral examination/palpation

2. Radiographs (X-rays)

3. Endoscopy

CALL OUR OFFICE IF:

• You have any questions concerning your horse’s dental health.
  

• If it has been over a year since your last equine dental exam.
  
  

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