Flotaing Horse Teeth | The Equine Dentist

Floating Your Horses Teeth - The Equine Dentist...

The equine dentist using the power float system Sharp points occur in most horses teeth over time due to uneven grinding and wear on the horses molars.

The equine dentist will float your horses teeth (rasp or file the teeth) to even the surfaces.

Floating removes sharp enamel points. These enamel points cause considerable discomfort to the cheeks, gums and tongue.

The most common tools used are the floats. They are long handled rasps that are designed just for filing down horse teeth.

The equine dentist floating manually However, a new power tool system has been developed called the Power Float System and some equine dentists are switching to this as they feel it can be more accurate, quicker and cause less discomfort for the horse. see top image

The floating procedure is one aspect of a complete dental examination.

A full evaluation of your horse's teeth should be carried out annually by a qualified equine dentist and, in some cases, a more frequent examination is necessary.

The signs of equine dental disease ...

The clinical signs of dental disease are varied. Some horses show obvious signs of pain and discomfort while others may adapt to the discomfort without showing you any signs of dental problems until they become severe.

Common Signs of Equine Dental Problems.

Dropping feed from their mouth while eating
Weight loss
Excessive Salivation
Foul odor from the mouth
Nasal discharge or a swelling on the face
Tossing, head tilting or fighting the bit

Common Equine Dental Problems.

Sharp enamel points causing lacerations of cheek and tongue
Retained caps (baby teeth that have not been shed)
Retained wolf teeth (causes discomfort when bitted)
Hooks on premolars and molars
Infected teeth and/or gums
Congenital defects
Periodontal (gum) disease

The Equine Dentist

Why use an equine dentist? Your equine dentist is neither a new phenomenon; nor another modern invention. Tooth rasps and other equipment for looking after horse teeth were produced as long ago as the 19th Century...

Horse Teeth Terms

Equine Dental Terms and their meanings. Your equine dentist will use common horse teeth terms to refer to different aspects of your horses mouth and teeth and to areas, problems or treatments...

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