Dental & Oral Health

Horse teeth grow throughout life and wear down through chewing. Because the upper jaw is wider than the lower, sharp enamel points form on the outer edges of the upper and the inner edges of the lower cheek teeth, which can press into the cheek or tongue. They are among the most common findings at a routine dental check.

EOTRH is a painful, progressive disease, mainly of the incisors and canines of older horses. Tooth substance is broken down by odontoclasts (resorption), while the body partly reacts with excessive cement formation (hypercementosis), bulging the tooth roots. The cause is not yet fully understood.

Wolf teeth are small, vestigial teeth sitting directly in front of the first cheek tooth — usually in the upper jaw and not present in every horse. They are harmless in themselves but can cause pressure and irritation where the bit lies, which is why they are often removed before backing.

A diastema is an abnormal gap between two neighbouring cheek teeth. Feed can become trapped in such gaps (food pocketing), inflaming the gums and periodontal apparatus (periodontitis). This is considered one of the most painful oral diseases of the horse.

A cheek tooth can fracture or become infected at the root tip (apical infection). In the rear upper cheek teeth the roots reach into the maxillary sinus, so a root infection can trigger a secondary (dental) sinusitis. The findings are painful and need prompt veterinary clarification.

Injuries to the oral mucosa, tongue, bars (toothless jaw area) or lips often arise from ill-fitting or harshly used bits, sharp tooth edges or foreign bodies (e.g. wood splinters, awns). They are painful and can markedly impair eating and contact with the bit.