COMMON DENTAL CONDITIONS IN OLDER HORSES

There are multiple dental conditions that can affect older horses, but the most common ones are:

Sharp enamel points — The cheek teeth don’t always wear down evenly, resulting in the formation of sharp edges, hooks and points. These can cause ulcers and lacerations to the surrounding soft tissue. Such sharp points are usually found on the outside of the upper cheek teeth and the inside of the lower cheek teeth.

Dental overgrowths — This is where a tooth or part of a tooth doesn’t have an opposing surface to grind against when the horse chews, so that it erupts too much. This is usually seen when the opposing tooth has been lost.

Diastema — This is the medical term for a space between two adjacent teeth. Some horses may have spaces between multiple teeth, which is known as diastemata. If a diastema develops between two teeth, food will be forced into the gap which then decays, causing a foul smell, infection and inflammation of the surrounding gum (periodontal disease), as well as severe pain.

Periodontal disease — This is an inflammatory condition affecting the gums and supporting tissues surrounding the teeth. The main cause is thought to be mechanical damage due to food becoming impacted and trapped around the teeth and gums3. However, other causes include genetics, systemic disease, poor diet and malocclusion (the imperfect positioning of teeth). Periodontal disease is one of the most painful conditions that can occur in a horse’s mouth.

Fractured teeth — Often this is the result of a trauma or unknown cause. In some cases, a fractured tooth can lead to sinusitis. Loose or missing teeth.

Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) — This is a newly recognised and painful condition that affects both the incisors and the canine teeth of horses typically over the age of 15. The most common sign reported by owners is a reduced ability to grasp apples and carrots with their front teeth.