Teeth and bad breath (equine!)

[Sparkie]

Whilst I was brushing Ellie's teeth today (don't ask...), I noticed one of her front teeth was loose and sticking out. Didn't think this was usual for a 13 year old pony, so asked the YO what she thought it was, and she said it looked like Ellie had beem kicked. Has anyone seen this happen before, and could there be any other causes for a loose tooth?

Also, has anyone got any cures for bad breath? Ellie's mouth stinks! :D

[tasnik blazze]

hi sparkie i would say Ellie has a gum problem and that is why her breath stinks, it is common in older horses as their teeth narrow down and food get jammed inbetween. I found this out from the equine dentist guy that comes around once a year. He has just done Blazze's teeth and Blazze had the same problem, he also had a problem tooth at the back but that has been fixed and it has helped in the smelly breath department. Are you having any problems with riding her as in throwing her head or not being able to stop her etc,? If you are it may be a teeth problem and you will need to get a equine dentist or vet out.

[Pink's lady]

Smelly breath in yonger horses (and 13yrs is counted as young in terms of teeth) is not normals and should be looked into. It's usualy caused, as tasnik blazze said, but food ramming down into gaps in the teeth. Horses teeth should be very tight together and not fodd able to get in. But if it does then it's pushed into the gums and leads to rotting and necrosis of the gums, which is very painful and also smells.

You should really get a good ETD or a vet out to have a really good look. If they don't have a gag al allow a full look then find a better EDT/vet who does.

[Sparkie]

Thanks guys!

Ellie has no problems with bitting or being ridden, she's the same as always, except for the tooth. We did find some food stuck behind her teeth though, which may have been helping the problem, so we have removed this and are continuing to brush.

Our EDT does have a gag, so we should be able to get a good look too.