Editing Horse teeth (section)

==Dental problems==
[[Image:Horse dentistry2003.jpg|thumb|Modern equine dentistry. This horse is heavily sedated and has been given [[analgesic]]s, its head is supported by a sling. The mouth is kept open with a (horse) mouth [[gag]], commonly referred to as a "speculum".]]
{{see also|Equine dentistry|Equine malocclusion}}
Like all mammals, horses can develop a variety of dental problems, with a variety of dental services available to minimise problems through reactive or prophylactic intervention.

[[Equine dentistry]] can be undertaken by a [[veterinary physician|vet]] or by a trained specialist such as an [[equine dental technician]], or in some cases is performed by lay persons, including owners or trainers.

Problems with dentition for horses in work can result in poor performance or behavioural issues, and must be ruled out as the cause of negative behaviours in horse.  Most authorities recommend regular checks by a professional, normally six monthly or annually.

===Problems due to wear patterns===
[[Image:Wolf tooth in horse.jpg|right|thumb|A wolf tooth, located just in front of the premolars]]
The wear of the teeth can cause problems if it is uneven, with sharp points appearing, especially on the outer edge of the molars, the inner edge of the premolars and the posterior end of the last molars on the bottom jaw.

Other specific conditions relating to wear include a "step mouth", where one molar or premolar grows longer than the others in that jaw, normally because the corresponding tooth in the opposite jaw is missing or broken, and therefore could not wear down its opposite, a "wave mouth", where at least two molars or premolars are higher than the others, so that, when viewed from the side, the grinding surfaces produce a wave-like pattern rather than a straight line, leading to periodontal disease and excessive wear of some of the teeth, and a "shear mouth" when the grinding surfaces of the molars or premolars are severely sloped on each individual tooth (so the inner side of the teeth are much higher or lower than the outer side of the teeth), severely affecting chewing.

Horses may also experience an overbite/[[brachygnathism]] (parrot mouth), or an underbite/[[prognathism]] (sow mouth, monkey mouth). These may affect how the incisors wear. In severe cases, the horse's ability to graze may be affected. Horses also sometimes suffer from [[equine malocclusion]] where there is a misalignment between their upper and lower jaws.

The curvature of the incisors may also vary from the normal, straight bite. The curvature may be dorsal or ventral . These curvatures may be the result of an incisor malocclusion (e.g. ventral=overbite/dorsal=underbite). The curvature may also be diagonal, stemming from a wear pattern, offset incisors, or pain in the cheek teeth (rather than the incisors), which causes the horse to chew in one direction over the other.

===Other dental problems===

Other common problems include abscessed, loose, infected, or cracked teeth, retained deciduous teeth, and plaque buildup. Wolf teeth may also cause problems, and are many times removed, as are retained caps.

===Prevention of dental problems===
[[Image:Triadan horse.gif|right|thumb|Many veterinarians will use a [[Triadan chart]] to record the horse's dental problems for future reference.]]
To help prevent dental problems, it is recommended to get a horse's teeth checked by a vet or [[equine dental technician]] every 6 months. However, regular checks may be needed more often for individuals, especially if the horse is very young or very old. Additionally, the horse's teeth should be checked if it is having major performance problems or showing any of the above signs of a dental problem.

Many horses require floating (or rasping) of teeth once every 12 months, although this, too, is variable and dependent on the individual horse.  The first four or five years of a horse's life are when the most growth-related changes occur and hence frequent checkups may prevent problems from developing. Equine teeth get harder as the horse gets older and may not have rapid changes during the prime adult years of life, but as horses become aged, particularly from the late teens on, additional changes in incisor angle and other molar growth patterns often necessitate frequent care.  Once a horse is in its late 20s or early 30s, molar loss becomes a concern.  Floating involves a veterinarian wearing down the surface of the teeth, usually to remove sharp points or to balance out the mouth. However, the veterinarian must be careful not to take off too much of the surface, or there will not be enough roughened area on the tooth to allow it to properly tear apart food. Additionally, too much work on a tooth can cause thermal damage (which could lead to having to extract the tooth), or expose the sensitive interior of the tooth ([[Pulp (tooth)|pulp]]).  A person without a veterinary degree who performs this service is called a ''horse floater'' or equine dental technician.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10024535 |title=Of horses' teeth, and liberty |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=October 27, 2007}}</ref>