Horses should have a dental exam at least once every 12 months. Horses under 5 years old or over 20 years old, should have dental checks every 6 months. Young horse mouths have a lot going on with adult teeth erupting, “caps” being shed and sharp points causing mouth ulcerations. Older horses can have undiagnosed dental disease, weight loss and poor occlusion. 

Horses with “interesting” mouth and dental pathology may need even more frequent checks. 

Pairing these with a physical exam, annual vaccinations and/or baseline bloodwork can help you stay ahead of any potential health issues. 

Wolf teeth are small, vestigial teeth located in front of the first cheek teeth, commonly found in horses. While not all wolf teeth cause issues, they can interfere with the bit, leading to discomfort or behavioral problems. Extraction is often recommended for young horses being started under saddle or for horses showing signs of bit-related discomfort. The procedure is straightforward and performed under sedation and with local anaesthetic to ensure the horse’s comfort. Prompt removal when younger (2 or 3 years) minimizes complications.

Hooks
Hooks occur when a horse’s teeth are misaligned, causing uneven wear and sharp points to develop, typically at the front of the upper cheek teeth or the back of the lower cheek teeth. These can interfere with chewing and bit comfort, leading to pain and reduced feed efficiency if not addressed.

Ramps
Ramps are steep, sloped overgrowths that usually form on the first or last cheek teeth due to improper dental alignment. They can restrict the natural motion of the jaw, causing discomfort and potentially leading to issues such as weight loss or difficulty eating.

Wave Mouth
Wave mouth describes an uneven chewing surface along the cheek teeth, resembling a wave. This condition often develops over time due to improper wear or neglected dental care and can interfere with efficient chewing, leading to food packing, discomfort, and even long-term dental complications.

Regular dental care is essential to manage and prevent these conditions, ensuring your horse’s comfort, effective chewing, and overall health.

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Peripheral Caries
Peripheral caries typically affect the outer surfaces of the mandibular (lower) cheek teeth. This form of decay is often linked to dietary factors, such as high-sugar feeds or forage, and water quality issues. Decaying teeth can lead to discomfort, reduced chewing efficiency, and increased risk of infection if left untreated.

Infundibular Caries
Infundibular caries are developmental and occur in the upper cheek teeth, specifically on the occlusal (grinding) surfaces. Over time, this decay can weaken the teeth, increasing the risk of fractures.

Regular dental examinations are essential to identify and address caries early, preventing complications and ensuring your horse’s comfort and performance.

Periodontal pockets are deep gaps that form between a horse’s teeth and gums due to gum disease or food impaction. These pockets can trap feed material, leading to inflammation, infection, and pain. Over time, untreated periodontal pockets can cause gum recession, tooth loosening, and even tooth loss.

Common causes include poor dental alignment, gaps between teeth (diastemata), and diets that promote food packing. Regular dental checks and appropriate management, such as cleaning the pockets and adjusting the diet, are crucial to prevent further damage and maintain your horse’s dental and overall health.

Periodontal pockets in horses can also be caused or worsened by bot fly larvae (bots). Bots can embed themselves in the gums around the teeth, causing irritation, inflammation, and damage to the soft tissues.

Flushing out periodontal pockets and diastemata packed with feed is a vital part of managing gum health in horses. This procedure involves cleaning out trapped food and debris from the pockets to reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and promote healing.

I use the Equus Jet Water Pick is an advanced tool designed specifically for equine dental care. It delivers a high-pressure water stream to effectively and gently flush out periodontal pockets, even in hard-to-reach areas. This precise approach ensures a thorough clean while minimizing discomfort for the horse.

An oroscope examination is a cutting-edge tool for equine dental care, designed to enable a thorough evaluation of the oral cavity and dental arcades. This technology provides high-quality video and photographic imagery, allowing for clear and precise diagnoses of dental issues, such as microfractures, early decay, gum disease, or irregular wear patterns.

✅ Clear and Precise Diagnosis: Enhances accuracy by revealing subtle problems not visible during standard exams.
✅ Better Patient Follow-Up: Documentation with images and videos supports ongoing care and progress tracking.
✅ Improved Owner Understanding: Clear visuals help owners see and understand the horse’s dental condition, fostering informed decisions about care.

I use an oroscope to ensure comprehensive examinations and better communication, leading to optimal dental health and performance outcomes for your horse.

Dental X-rays are an invaluable tool for diagnosing and managing equine dental health. They provide detailed images of the teeth, roots, and surrounding bone structures, revealing issues that are not visible during a standard oral exam.

X-rays are particularly useful for identifying conditions such as tooth root abscesses, fractures, impacted teeth, and bone changes associated with infections or dental diseases. They also aid in planning treatments like extractions and monitoring ongoing dental health.

This non-invasive diagnostic tool ensures precise and effective care, improving outcomes and enhancing your horse’s comfort and well-being.

Generally I refer extractions to excellent specialists as they can be complicated, long and tricky to do in the field. However I can do extractions, and may be able to offer this in some cases. 

If you are curious about equine dentistry and want to know more, Dr Elizabeth Thompson has written an excellent book – buy it at the link below:

Modern Equine Dentistry for Horse Owners