!.. equine teeth guide

[Dr_Ghaffari]

Whether you want to discover your horse`s age or simply learn about the importance of a healthy mouth , our great dental guide explains everything you could ever want to know about equine teeth
Ever wondered what a horse`s tooth looks like on the inside ? we take you beneath the surface and explain why the incisor tooth`s appearance changes over time​

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[Dr_Ghaffari]

A horse`s tooth is mainly made up of three layered components : dentin , enamel and ceme .
Dentin makes up the bulk of the tooth , and consists of two types primary and secondary dentin fills the pulp cavity as the tooth is worn down , and creates a “ dental star “ . It is dentin that gives the tooth its ntstructural rigidity .
Enemal is the hardest and most dense substance in the horse`s body . In the molars , it folds in and out of the hard enemal and softer dentin cause the chewing surface of the tooth to be irregular , allowing the horse to grind his food .
Cement is slightly softer , it coats the tooth and anchors it to the jaw bone . it also has a yellow tinge , which give the horse`s tooth its characteristic colour .
Horse`s teeth continuously erupt from the jaw throughout their life , pushed out of the socket as the root grows . At the same time , they are worn down from the crown as the horse chews on fibrous materials . Because the inner structures are not uniform from root to tip , the appearance of the incisor teeth changes as the erupts and wears , throughout the horse`s life .
The permanent incisor teeth have a central depression ( or ‘ cup ‘ ) called the infundibulum . This , along with the pulp cavity that runs upwards from the base of the tooth , shows a definite pattern on the chewing surface of the tooth as it wears down – studying the patterns helps in estimating age .
Other factors that suggest a horse`s age include the angle , surface patterns and shape of his teeth . see for a guide to guessing your horse`s age !

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[Dr_Ghaffari]

A horse`s age can be determined by the shape , angel , colour and length of his teeth , and also by the tooth`s markings

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

The older a horse gets , the harder it becomes to use his teeth to determine his age . Accurate ageing is only feasible up to the age of around eight – after that , changes to the teeth become more gradual , so they can only be used as a rough guide .
There are a few things you can look for when using the horse`s incisor teeth to estimate his age …
• Nnmber of teeth
• Wear patterns
• Angle at which the teeth meet
• Tooth shape
The number of teeth that a horse has is only really important in young horses , the permanent incisors begin to appear at two-and-a-half years , and all 12 have grown through by the age of five .
A tooth`s shape and wear patterns change as it gradually erupts from the jaw . However , each horse is individual , and so two horses of the same age may show different wear can be affected by diet , natural abnormalities and cribbing .
Two main markings on the biting surface of the tooth can be used to estimate age :
• Cups ( infundibulum ) are apparent on all new incisors , and disappear from all of the teeth at around 11 years of age
• Dental stars ( pulp cavity ) appear on all teeth by 10 – 12 years , and are apparent until the tooth has fully worn down​

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

!Fact
Shetland ponies` middle and corner incisors ( both deciduous and permanent ) usually erupt later than the average horse

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

Groovy
A distinctive marking khnown a “ Galvayne`s groove “ appears on the corner incisor at around nine years , this dark furrow runs down the length of the tooth , reaching halfway by around 15 years , and meeting the lower edge of the tooth by 20 years . it disappears from above , downward , thereafter . this groove is therefore a good indicator of age in older horses .
The incisor teeth are curved , so as they erupt from the jaw throughout the horse`s life , the angle at which the upper and lower incisors meet becomes more acute . the cone-like from of the incisor tooth makes its shape change in appearance as the horse ages , from rectangular to triangular .​

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

I will send pictures later

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

They say you shoud never look a gift horse in the mouth - but this is the only way you`ll be able to guess his age !

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

Head start
Horses can have up to 44 teeth – the majority of which we don’t even see ! we give you the lowdown on the different types of teeth and what they do …
Incisor teeth : These “ front teeth “ are used to nip pieces of grass as the horse grazes . adult horses have 12 incisors .
Canine teeth : A horse may have up to four of these . Also known as “ tusks “ or “ tushes “ , these lie between the molars and incisors , and have no specific function . Generally , all male horses have four canine teeth , however , a small percentage of mares have one or two canines , although these are often only partially erupted .
Wolf teeth : Horses can have up to four of these . they are equally common in both males and females , and more likely to be on the upper jaw . they can cause problems when bitting and rasping , so are often removed .
Premolars : Horses have 12 premolars , three on each side of the upper and lower jaw . these grind fibrous feed to a form that can be swallowed .
Molars : An adult set of teeth has 12 molars – often referred to as “ cheek teeth “ . Horses use these to grind fibrous feed .
Root : the whole of the tooth is housed in the horse`s skull from birth – the teeth gradually erupt through the gum thoughout his life .
From the horse`s mouth …
An adult mare usually has 36 – 38 teeth , whereas adult males usually have 40 – 44 teeth . By the time the horse has reached the age of five , all of his permanent teeth will have grown through – he is then considered to have a “ full mouth “ .
Foals grow “ baby “ teth , which are later shed.​

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

Crib biting can affect tooth wear patterns

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

How the ageing process takes place

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

Now ! Guess his age ! Take a good look at your horse`s teeth

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

Straight from the horse`s mouth
Teeth are essential for horses to properly chew and digest their food , and us humans also use them as a guide to our horse`s age . But there are some things that you might not know about the equine mouth
• Older horses may appear to have a learn , shallow lower jaw , as the roots of the teeth have begun to disappear . On the other hand , younger horses may seem to have a lumpy jaw , as their permanent teeth are present here .
• Problems under saddle are often tooth-related . So it`s a good idea to consult your vet if your horse displays otherwise unexplainable behaviours – eg , head tossing , bucking , refusal to collect , going behind the bit , gaping the mouth or difficulty in picking up canter .
• Horses need to have teeth checked by a vet or qualified equine dental technician every six to twelve months to help prevent dental problems . However , very young or old horses may need more frequent examination .
• Most foals are born without teeth – they start to appear at different intervals in the horse`s life .Incisors and premolars appear first , as deciduous or “ baby “ teeth , but these are later shed , before growing in permanently . Molars and canines only appear as permanent ones .​

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

Biting point
Tooth defects can prevent the horse chewing his food properly , and can even cause him pain and discomfort . We illustrate some of the most common tooth abnormalities​

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

Like humans , horses can suffer a variety of dental problems , which can cause eating and riding to become painful . Many abnormalities stem from the fact that horses` teeth erupt continuously throughout their life , and are designed to be worn down at the same rate at which they erupt . Here are some problems that horses can suffer when this doesn`t happen as it should​

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

Problems of the molars
Shear mouth : The biting surface of each individual cheek tooth is severally sloped , as a result of “ side – to – side “ chewing . The normal angle is 15 degrees , but shearing can increase this angle to up to 75 degrees . This severally affects the horse`s ability to chew properly , meaning that food is poorly utilized .
Hooks : Sharp points on a tooth , commonly seen on the front of the first upper premolar and last lower molar . They prevent the horse from chewing freely “ side – to – side “ , and the surrounding soft tissues are also susceptible to laceration from the sharp points . Hooks can cause problems with the bit – when the horse changes his head carriage when ridden , it can become extremely uncomfortable .
Ramps : Excessive height of the lower premolars . They prevent the horse from chewing freely “ side – to – side “ . furthermore , when ridden , they can cause the horse extreme discomfort with the bit .
Accentuated transverse ridges : this ridges run across the biting surface of the molars , and can become enlarged if the horse isn`t chewing properly . This interferes with the normal jaw motion and can even result in severe disease around or near the tooth .
Wave complexes : An uneven , “ wavelike “ appearance of the premolars and molars . they can wear teeth out prematurely , and can cause tooth decay and even loss . Free “ side – to – side “ chewing is impaired , so the horse can`t grind his food properly .
Periodontal packets : Gum disease around the tooth causes a “ pocket “ to form , in which food becomes lodged . this can lead to bone erosion around the tooth and can , eventually , even cause infection , abcesses and tooth loss . It`s difficult to treat , so prevention is the key !​

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

Good point !
Enamel points , a common molar problem , cause soft tissue trauma leading to pain and discomfort on eating and with the bitt​

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

Problems of the incisors
Offset or diagonal bite : the upper incisor teeth on one side of mouth and the lower incisors on the opposite side become excessively long , causing the incisors to meet on a diagonal . This painful problem can develop from one – directional chewing , or from cribbing .
Underbite : this is a relatively uncommon abnormality , where the lower incisors protrude infront of the upper incisors . This can be a hereditary defect , or can develop as a result of ramps , and can cause the horse discomfort with the bit .
Overjet : This can be hereditary , or it can develop as result of hooks . It prevents the horse from chewing “ side – to – side “ , and can cause severe discomfort with the bit , and difficulty grazing .
Bone spurs : these are abnormal , bony growths , most often caused by trauma from the bit to the lower jaw bone . They can be extremely painful for the horse , expecially if the bit touches the affected area . They may be removed by a vet if causing problems .
Smile : The corner , lower incisors grow longer relative to the corner , upper incisors . They may occur as a result of retained “ baby “ teeth , or abnormal chewing secondary to molar problems​

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[Dr_Ghaffari]

The root of the problem
Feeding difficults , behavioural problems and troubles under saddle can all be tooth – related . Discover why caring for your horse`s teeth is more important than you might think.​

 

[Dr_Ghaffari]

We explained some common tooth faults and the problems they can cause. Other defects include :
• Abcesses,
• Loose teeth,
• Infections,
• Cracks,
• Retained “ baby “ teeth,
• Plaque build-up.
It is , therefore , necessary to have your horse`s teeth checked regularly by a vet or equine dental technician ( EDT ) - ideally , every six to 12 month – in order to spot any problems and stop them from developing . However , each horse is individual , and one may require more regular attention than the next . But the earlier a potential problem is spotted , the easier it will be to treat and it means your horse will suffer less in the long run!​