| Poor athletic performance, behavioral problems and colic
can also be caused by bad teeth. Add in the economic loss of feeding grain the horse can't
properly chew and digest, and equine dental health becomes an area that
deserves a closer look.
Horses' teeth are totally different than ours. Equine
teeth have very deep roots located far away from the actual chewing surface.
Horse teeth are large, and the majority of the tooth is located deep within
the bone of the upper or lower jaw.
Horse teeth are wider at the chewing surface than at the
root. As a horse ages, its teeth continue to grow and push further out from
the root or base of the jaw. Ideally, the upper and lower teeth fit tightly
on top of each other and wear each other down while the horse chews. Humans
have a flat occlusal surface (the surface where the upper and lower teeth
touch), while horses have an angled occlusal surface.
This design helps in grinding grain, but equine teeth are
spaced so they can easily trap food. Trapped food can lead to gingivitis, or
inflammation of the gum lining, and ultimately to tooth and gum disease.
The shape, size and method of growth of equine teeth cause
specific problems. If a horse is born with an upper jaw that is slightly
longer or shorter than the opposing lower jaw, the teeth will not line up
correctly. Because the upper tooth depends on a matching lower tooth to help
wear its surface normally, and vice versa, jaw misalignment spells dental
problems. Horses with well-matched jaws will wear teeth more slowly and
evenly, often increasing their life span.
An unopposed tooth will continue to grow, resulting in a
hook or a point. Hooks occur on the front of the upper teeth and the back of
the lower row of teeth. These points can become sharp and cause chewing
difficulty, irritating the gum and possibly leading to an abscess. Points
and edges can interfere with the bit and make horses pull away, toss their
heads, or display behavior that is often incorrectly attributed to training
problems.
Uneven growth or wear can lead to "wave-" mouth horses,
where the surface of the teeth, when viewed from the side, looks like a
wave, with some teeth being high and some being low.
Due to trauma, such as a kick or a fall, horses can even
lose a tooth occasionally. This gives the opposing tooth nothing to wear
against, and it will continue to grow out from the jaw. In severe cases,
this unopposed tooth will even keep growing into the empty space left by the
lost tooth. This can bind the jaw movement, making it very difficult for the
horse to chew.
Severe dental problems are frequently seen in older horses
and are a prime cause of poor weight, poor coat and general lack of
condition. But young horses can have dental problems as well.
Foals begin to get teeth at a few months of age. These
first teeth are sequentially replaced by permanent teeth over the next five
or six years. After that point, mature teeth continue to grow, wear and
gradually wear out over the course of the horse's life.
Routine dental exams and tooth care should not be
overlooked. Your horse needs a routine check for points, hooks or sharp
edges. Veterinarians use a metal speculum or mouth gag to aid in the
examination of the teeth and gums. If points are found, your vet will file
the sharp edge smooth using a number of tools called floats. As a horse
matures, his teeth should be floated annually.
How common are dental problems?
Dental disease was found in more than 80 percent of the
horses in a recent study at the University of Illinois. Five hundred horses,
from six months to 30 years old, were examined to try to determine the
extent and severity of dental disease.
Sharp points, resulting in ulceration and inflammation of
the gums, were seen most commonly in horses under 10 years. Abnormal wear
and "wave" mouth conditions were seen in older horses, as was periodontal
disease.
Other equine dentistry to help keep horses chewing
normally includes reconstructive alignment surgery, tooth extractions, and
dental mold replacements.
Your veterinarian can instruct you on the proper method of
examining your horses' teeth. Be careful and follow directions, because a
horse's jaws are powerful, and teeth can be sharp.
| ...and nothing but the tooth: Hiring a
specialist |
| Should you get a horse dentist or a
veterinarian for equine dental work?
Many states allow dental technicians as well as
veterinarians to float teeth. Many are highly trained and skilled and
capable of doing an excellent job. Unfortunately, some are not.
Most states do not regulate equine dentists, so it's a
good thing to check around before you opt for one's services. Be sure to
ask for references. Because many dentists travel from state to state,
ask about what will happen if problems develop after the dental work has
been completed and the dentist has moved on. |
Some horses need to be tranquilized for
dental work, and these drugs are not without risk. They should be
administered by a qualified veterinarian. This is mainly for the
protection of your horse. If a problem or reaction should occur, a vet
is trained to treat the animal, whereas dentists are not.
But there are cases where a vet is not trained or
simply prefers not to work on horses' teeth. In that instance, dentists
serve an important role. The best situation is to find a veterinarian
who has the appropriate training and equipment to do a good job, or find
a dental technician who will work closely with your vet. |
Ken Marcella, D.V.M., is based at the
Chattahoochee Equine Center in Canton, Ga.
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