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Ask
the Experts
Our Experts explain the nuts and bolts of equine nutrition.
by Toots A. Banner DVM
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Q: Recently a friend told me that molasses is bad for the
horse's teeth. Is this true and do horses get cavities?
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A:
Molasses
does not cause damage to a horse's teeth. However, cavities
occasionally can and do form. Since most horses have 36-40 teeth,
it is important to have your horse's mouth thoroughly examined
annually by a dental professional. To do a proper exam on each
individual tooth it requires sedation, a good light and a full
mouth speculum. Early changes in the tooth surface may be hard
to detect without proper equipment and left untreated may result
in exposure of the pulp chamber and potentially premature loss
of the tooth. Just because you don't see your horses rear teeth
doesn't mean that there are not serious changes starting to
occur. You should take care of your horse's teeth as well as
you do your own and remember, seeing is believing.
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T.A. Banner DVM |
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