Dentistry

Signs of Dental Disease

Quidding - Dropping food (see picture above)
Weight Loss
Bad odour from the mouth or nostrils
Biting problems or evasion
Head tilting or shaking
Nasal discharge and/or facial swellings
Colic or choke

Why is dentistry required?

Routine dental care is essential for horses to ensure their overall health and wellbeing. Horses' teeth continuously grow throughout their lives, and their diet of fibrous hay, grass and grains can cause wear on their teeth. Without proper dental care, various issues can arise that affect their health, comfort and performance.

Preventing Sharp Points and Hooks
- As horses chew, their teeth can develop sharp edges, or "points," which can cause painful ulcers or sores inside their mouths. If untreated, these can lead to difficulty chewing, weight loss and behaviour issues. Routine dental care helps file down these points, ensuring the horse can chew effectively and comfortably.

Ensuring Proper Chewing and Digestion
- Horses need their teeth to align correctly to enable efficient grinding of food. Misaligned or uneven teeth can affect their ability to chew properly, leading to digestive problems, weight loss and even colic. Regular checks help identify and address any misalignments or dental abnormalities.

Detecting Dental Diseases
- Horses are prone to dental diseases such as periodontal disease, tooth root infections and abscesses. Early detection through routine dental exams can prevent these conditions from becoming severe, leading to more complicated (and costly) treatments in the future.

Preventing Tooth Loss
- Without proper care, horses can experience excessive wear or fractures of their teeth, leading to tooth loss. This is particularly a concern for older horses, who may have worn or missing teeth, as this may affect their ability to graze or chew hay and feed properly. Routine dental visits can help monitor wear and prevent serious tooth loss.

Improving Comfort and Performance
- Horses with dental pain can exhibit behavioural changes such as resistance to the bit, head tossing, or even issues with bridle fitting. If left unaddressed, these discomforts can negatively impact their performance, whether in riding, driving, or working. Regular dental care keeps horses comfortable and performing at their best.

Reducing Risk of Infection
- Oral infections in horses can lead to more serious issues, including sinusitis or abscesses in the jaw. By routinely checking and maintaining the horse’s teeth, the risk of these infections can be minimised.

Managing Eruption of Adult Teeth
- Foals and young horses undergo a transition period where they shed their baby teeth, and adult teeth erupt. Regular check-ups during this stage ensure that the teeth are developing correctly and that there are no issues, such as retained baby teeth, that might cause discomfort.

What does routine dentistry involve?

Examination - The vet will examine the horse's mouth, teeth, and gums to check for abnormalities, inflammation, or signs of infection.

Floating - This is the process of filing down any sharp edges or points on the teeth, a procedure that is commonly performed once or twice a year.

In addition to these, the vet may sometimes be required to carry out the following:

X-rays - In some cases, X-rays may be used to check for problems beneath the gum line, such as tooth root abscesses.

Tooth Extraction - If necessary, a severely damaged or infected tooth may need to be removed.

How often should horses have dental check-ups?

Young Horses
- Dental checks should begin when the horse is around 2 years old, as their teeth are still developing.

Adult Horses
- Routine dental exams are typically recommended once a year for most adult horses.

Older Horses
- Horses aged 15 or over or those with known dental issues may require more frequent exams, sometimes every 6 months.