Equine dentistry - MVDr. Mykhailo Such
I provide professional dental
care for horses across
the Czech Republic and
abroad.
MVDr. Mykhailo Such
your equine dentistry expert
I am a veterinarian with many years of experience in equine dental health care. I work with modern equipment to ensure the safety and comfort of your horses.
Equine dental examination
Regular checkups to prevent dental disease and detect problems early.
Treatment of dental diseases
Treatment of dental caries, tartar removal, bite correction, removal of pathological conditions of teeth and gums.
Wolf teeth removal
Professional removal of wolf teeth that can cause discomfort and problems when working with horses.
Bite correction
Correction of overbite, underbite or other bite abnormalities for the comfort and performance of the horse.
Dental care consultations
Recommendations for proper care of the horse's teeth and tips for preventing dental problems.
Dental problems in horses: causes, consequences and prevention
Each problem has an icon that is listed in the protocol.
Diastema
Diastema in horses (gaps between teeth, especially between premolars and molars) can form for several reasons. This problem can lead to painful complications such as food retention, inflammation, and abscesses in the oral cavity.
Main causes of diastema formation:
- Age of the horse
- With age, tooth wear occurs, which can lead to irregularities and the formation of gaps.
- Genetic factors
- Some horses may naturally have less tightly set teeth or an irregular bite, which promotes the formation of diastemas.
- Inflammatory gum diseases
- Diseases such as periodontitis can cause loss of gum tissue, leading to the formation of gaps between teeth.
- Poor diet
- Feeding with a high carbohydrate content or prolonged feeding of foods that require minimal chewing can negatively affect dental health.
- Irregular dental care
- If teeth are not regularly checked and filed, sharp edges or irregularities may develop, leading to the formation of gaps.
Why are diastemas a problem?
- Food residues accumulate between the teeth, which can decay.
- This leads to infections, inflammation, pain while chewing, and possibly systemic problems such as colic.
Treatment and prevention:
- Regular dental check-ups by a veterinarian.
- Treatment of diastema by removing food residues and smoothing the teeth (so-called floating).
- In some cases, diastemas may need to be widened to prevent food retention.
If you encounter this problem in your patients, it is essential to explain to the owners how important regular dental care for horses is!
Sharp edges
Sharp edges on horse teeth are a common issue that arises due to natural tooth wear. Horses have hypsodont teeth, meaning they grow and wear down throughout their lives. However, uneven wear can lead to the formation of sharp edges, which cause chewing difficulties and can be very painful.
Causes of sharp edges:
- Asymmetrical chewing
- Horses primarily chew food sideways. If one side is preferred, it can lead to uneven wear.
- Hard feeds
- Certain feeds (e.g., hay with tough stalks) can promote the formation of sharp edges.
- Uneven bite
- Genetic predisposition or improper jaw alignment (e.g., overbite, underbite) can lead to uneven tooth wear.
- Insufficient dental care
- If teeth are not regularly checked and filed, sharp edges accumulate.
- Pain: Sharp edges can cause injuries to the cheeks and tongue.
- Poor food intake: Horses may stop eating or experience weight loss.
- Dysphagia: Difficulty chewing and swallowing.
- Behavioral issues: Such as rejecting the bridle or irritability while riding.
- Regular dental care
- Annual or biannual dental check-ups by a veterinarian or equine dental specialist are recommended.
- Floating (tooth filing)
- A veterinarian removes sharp edges using specialized tools.
- High-quality feeding
- Ensure feed has an appropriate structure (e.g., high-quality hay) and avoid excessive use of hard pellets.
- Monitoring symptoms
- If the horse starts losing weight, refuses food, or has bad breath, it is crucial to check its teeth promptly.
Hooks
Hooks on horse teeth develop due to uneven tooth wear. This issue is common in horses due to their chewing habits and jaw anatomy. Hooks (sharp protrusions on the front or back of the teeth) can cause various health problems and negatively impact the horse’s well-being.
Why do hooks form on teeth?
- Uneven jaw alignment
- The horse’s lower jaw (mandible) is narrower than the upper jaw (maxilla). This asymmetry causes uneven tooth contact, leading to the formation of hooks in extreme areas (front part of the upper molars and back part of the lower molars).
- Insufficient tooth wear
- In nature, horses wear their teeth down by chewing fibrous food (e.g., grass). Modern feeding, such as hay and pellets, requires less chewing, leading to inadequate tooth wear.
- Uneven bite
- If a horse has an issue such as an overbite or underbite, the teeth do not wear down properly, leading to irregularities.
- Lack of regular dental care
- If teeth are not regularly checked and treated, sharp hooks can gradually develop.
Problems caused by hooks on teeth
- Oral injuries: Hooks can cut into the cheeks or tongue, causing pain and inflammation.
- Feeding problems: Horses may refuse food, take longer to chew, or spit it out.
- Weight loss: Due to pain while chewing, a horse may lose weight.
- Behavioral issues: Hooks can cause discomfort when wearing a bit, leading to irritability while riding.
- Colic: Insufficiently chewed food can lead to digestive issues.
Prevention and treatment of hooks
- Regular dental check-ups
- It is recommended to have teeth checked every 6–12 months.
- Floating (tooth filing)
- Sharp hooks are removed using specialized tools during routine dental care.
- High-quality feeding
- Providing food that stimulates chewing (e.g., long fiber, pasture) helps natural tooth wear.
- Addressing the root cause
- If hooks are caused by an improper bite, it is crucial to address the issue with specialized procedures (e.g., corrective floating).
Tooth decay
Tooth decay in horses is relatively rare but can cause discomfort and negatively impact the animal’s health and performance. Let’s go through the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Causes
- Inappropriate diet: Feeds high in sugar (such as sweet treats or excessive grain) promote the growth of bacteria that erode tooth enamel.
- Lack of abrasive components in feed: A deficiency of hay or grass slows down natural tooth wear, leading to the accumulation of food debris.
- Bite problems: Irregular tooth positioning can create areas where food accumulates, allowing bacteria to multiply quickly.
- Genetic predisposition: Some horse breeds may have weaker tooth enamel.
Symptoms
- Changes in chewing (the horse chews only on one side or refuses food).
- Unpleasant breath odor.
- Excessive salivation.
- Swelling of the jaw or facial area.
- Weight loss due to difficulty eating.
- In some cases, dark spots on the teeth may be visible.
Diagnosis
To accurately diagnose tooth decay, the following steps are necessary:
- Clinical examination: A veterinarian inspects the oral cavity using a special mirror or endoscope.
- X-ray examination: Used to detect root damage or surrounding tissue issues.
Treatment
- Mechanical cleaning: Removal of the affected tooth tissue.
- Tooth filling: In selected cases, the defect is filled with a special material.
- Tooth extraction: If the tooth is severely damaged, removal may be necessary.
- Antibiotic treatment: Antibiotics are used in case of infection risk.
Prevention
- Providing sufficient hay and grass in the diet.
- Limiting sweet treats and grain.
- Regular dental check-ups (1–2 times per year).
- Bite correction (for irregular tooth wear).
Tartar
Dental calculus in horses is a mineralized deposit that forms on the teeth, usually near the gums. It develops from accumulated food residues, bacteria, and minerals present in saliva. If not removed, it can cause gum inflammation, discomfort while chewing, and other serious oral problems.
Causes
- Inappropriate diet: A lack of hay or grass, which naturally cleans the teeth.
- Soft feed: Low-abrasion feeds, such as pellets or mashes, leave plaque on the teeth.
- Irregular tooth wear: Improper bite or dental irregularities lead to plaque accumulation in specific areas.
- Insufficient oral hygiene: Without regular veterinary check-ups, dental calculus can build up and worsen oral health.
Symptoms
- Visible yellow or brown deposits on the teeth.
- Bad breath.
- Changes in eating behavior (difficulty chewing, food refusal).
- Gum inflammation (redness, swelling).
Treatment
- Removal of dental calculus: A veterinarian removes the deposits using specialized tools.
- Treatment of gum inflammation: If inflammation is present, antiseptic or antibiotic treatment may be necessary.
- Dental correction: Smoothing out dental irregularities to prevent further plaque accumulation.
Prevention
- Ensuring sufficient hay and grass in the diet.
- Regular dental check-ups by a veterinarian (1–2 times per year).
- Limiting soft feeds and sweet treats.
- Maintaining regular tooth wear through proper care.
Wave
Wave formation on horse teeth usually means the following:
- Irregularities or ridges on teeth: These waves can develop due to uneven tooth wear. This occurs when horses do not use all their teeth evenly while chewing. It can happen if the horse has poor occlusion (tooth alignment), which may be caused by improper bite or other factors.
- Result of improper biting or incorrect feeding: If a horse chews more on one side than the other, “waves” or ridges may form on the teeth, leading to uneven wear. Incorrect feeding, such as overly soft food or insufficient physical activity, can worsen this issue.
- Health problems: If these irregularities are not addressed, they can lead to jaw pain, chewing difficulties, gum inflammation, or even a decline in the horse’s overall health, as they may struggle to chew food effectively.
How to address this problem?
- Regular dental check-ups and treatments: It is essential to regularly inspect a horse’s teeth (at least once a year, but more frequently for older horses) and perform treatments such as “tooth leveling” to remove ridges and irregularities.
- Proper nutrition and diet: A balanced diet that supports dental health is crucial. Hard hay and other fibrous feed can help naturally wear down teeth and keep them in good condition.
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Over 5 years of experience in equine dentistry.
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