10 common equine dental problems

April 5, 2023

As an Equine Dental Technician, I've come across various dental issues in horses that, if left untreated, can lead to discomfort, pain, and even severe health problems. In this blog post, I will share ten common equine dental problems.

Sharp enamel points

Sharp enamel points is the most common problem that I come across.. Almost all horses have sharp enamel points and they occur because a horse’s teeth continue to erupt and wear down from chewing throughout its life. The portions of the teeth that do not wear down create these sharp enamel points. These points can cause lacerations to the cheeks and tongue, leading to pain and discomfort when eating. Packing hay or feed into the cheeks and quidding are tell-tale signs of this issue. Regular dental care can help reduce these points, making your horse more comfortable.

Hooks Hooks are sharp protrusions that typically develop on the first upper premolars They can be associated with a malocclusion called overbite or parrot mouth, in which the upper incisors overlap the lower incisors and the top and bottom arcades are not aligned. Hooks can restrict the jaw’s anterior/posterior movement, affecting mastication and ridden performances. I’ve dealt with many cases of hooks, and addressing this issue forms a crucial part of equine dental care.

Ramps Ramps usually appear on the last two lower molars and can inhibit the jaw’s anterior-posterior movement, similar to hooks. In severe cases, ramps can grow very large and sharp, causing problems when eating and exercising. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be affected by this dental issue.

Excessive transverse ridges (ETR) Although the grinding surfaces of a horse’s teeth are not smooth, with transverse ridges running across to help break down feed and forage, excessive transverse ridges can cause several problems. They can restrict the jaw’s movement and force the horse to open its mouth during mastication, resulting in undigested food. If these ridges become too exaggerated, they need to be reduced to a natural level.

Wave mouth

Wave mouth is characterised by uneven wear of the molar arcades, creating a roller-coaster-like effect. This issue often results from neglected dental care in young horses, as retained caps or impacted molars can cause it. I’ve seen this issue affect many horses, and it can lead to difficulty chewing. Although it is challenging to fully correct wave mouth, especially in older horses, much can be done to make them more comfortable.

Steps A step mouth occurs when the clinical crown (exposed crown) is longer than those in the rest of the arcade. This can happen when a tooth is missing or there is an impacted cheek tooth. Both lateral and anterior/posterior movement of the jaw are restricted and it is likely to interfere with your horse’s ability to chew properly.

Shear Mouth Considered one of the most serious dental problems, shear mouth occurs when the table angle of one arcade is much steeper than the opposite one due to a faster rate of wear. It is usually accompanied by an incisor slant. Treating this issue is difficult, and regular checks are required. Luckily, shear mouths are not very common.

Retained deciduous teeth (caps) Young horses between 2.5 and 5 years old change their milk teeth to permanent ones. When a young horse’s permanent teeth erupt, the 24 baby teeth, or caps, should naturally shed. However, sometimes some of these caps are retained, causing discomfort and pain. Retained caps can lead to infections and, in severe cases, cysts commonly known as teeth bumps, in which the permanent tooth cannot push away the milk tooth. For horses in this age range, I recommend a check every six months.

Wolf Teeth Wolf teeth are vestigial premolars located in front of the first upper premolars (rarely appearing on the lower jaw). They come in different shapes and sizes, with a root usually two or three times the length of the crown.

Diastema Diastema is a gap between teeth, which can trap food and lead to gum infections and tooth decay. In my practice, I’ve encountered many cases of diastema, an issue that is very painful for the horse. If you’ve noticed any signs of dental issues in your horse or it’s time for a check-up, don’t hesitate to book an appointment. Together, we can ensure your horse’s dental health and comfort.

10 common equine dental problems

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