Does the tooth fairy come to horses?

Yes, the tooth fairy does come to horses, but not how you may expect. At Exclusively Equine, we have a team of tooth fairies – better known as qualified equine dental veterinarians – who will care for your horse’s teeth during their dental examination. 

At Exclusively Equine, we recommend that all horses receive their first dental examination between six and 12 months of age, unless dental problems arise earlier.

Routine dental care typically involves a dental examination once annually. However, for horses above 16 years of age or those with dental problems, two or more dental examinations each year may be necessary for optimum health.

Let’s take a closer look at the work these tooth fairies do…

The Dental Examination 

Just like us, your horse too requires regular visits to the dentist. While the term ‘dental examination’ sounds complex, it simply describes the procedure whereby a qualified equine dental veterinarian examines your horse’s teeth and gums, both visually and manually.

Most often, a dental examination will take up to 45 minutes. However, if signs of dental disease are found or if your horse requires a specific dental procedure, such as a tooth extraction, the dental examination may take longer.

During a dental examination, your horse maybe placed in a purpose-built crush, and may be given sedation or analgesics to reduce stress and eliminate pain. In addition, a qualified equine veterinarian will also use a powerfloat, hand tools and full mouth speculum (gag).

The Qualified Equine Dental Veterinarian

Remember, only a qualified equine dental veterinarian is able to prescribe medications and use the specialised equipment required for dental examinations. As such, it’s important when choosing the right dentist for your horse, that you know what to look for.

There is much confusion around the term ‘equine dentist’, so we’ve taken the time to explain the key differences between a lay equine dentist and an equine dental veterinarian. Click here to read our article on how to choose the right professional for the job.

At Exclusively Equine, our team of equine dental veterinarians have advanced training in both equine dental and veterinary health. This ensures your horse receives only the best health care and any health problems – inside and outside their mouth – are diagnosed early.

 

Author

  • Dr Louise Cosgrove

    The founder of Exclusively Equine Veterinary Services, Louise is driven to support horses in their recovery from injury or illness. A graduate of the University of Queensland, with international equin...

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