Equine peripheral dental caries: An epidemiological survey assessing prevalence and possible risk factors in Western Australian horses

Abstract

Western Australian horses have a high prevalence of peripheral caries. Management factors that may help to prevent or reduce peripheral caries include more access to quality pasture, use of groundwater, feeding on meadow hay and avoidance of oaten hay.

Peripheral caries and disease of the periodontium in Western Australian horses: An epidemiological, anatomical and histopathological assessment

“…A total of 500 horses were surveyed and had a thorough dental examination between July 2013 and June 2016. Details of the recruitment process, questionnaire and dental examination have been published previously by Jackson et al [12]. For part of the statistical analysis, the peripheral caries cases were separated into mild cases; with just superficial pitting of the cementum, and then the moderate or severe cases which had substantial loss of peripheral cementum, plus or minus dentin involvement or dental fractures.…”

“…For part of the statistical analysis, the peripheral caries cases were separated into mild cases; with just superficial pitting of the cementum, and then the moderate or severe cases which had substantial loss of peripheral cementum, plus or minus dentin involvement or dental fractures. This classification was based on the manuscript by Jackson et al [12].…”

“…The study sample included 500 horses from Western Australia. Details of the demographics of the cohort have been published previously [12]. Peripheral caries was present in 58.8% of the horses examined and was found most commonly in the molars (Triadan positions 09 -11).…”

“…Equine cheek tooth peripheral caries and periodontal disease both cause significant oral pathology, and in severe cases can lead to pulp infection and tooth death [2] and/or loss [8]. Earlier research found a significant association between peripheral caries and feed accumulation between the teeth and periodontal disease [12]. The current study aimed to examine this relationship further, looking at the relationship within each horse and at individual teeth affected with peripheral caries and disease of the periodontium in the Western Australian horse population.…”

Clinical insights: Equine dentistry

“…The mineral content of water has been implicated in human dental disease for many years, with some regions adding minerals such as fluoride to the water supply to help maintain dental health. There was not enough data in the UK study from areas of fluoridated water to make an accurate comparison but a significant association between water source and the prevalence of peripheral caries was found in the Western Australian study [5]. Horses drinking from dam water were most likely to have peripheral caries, followed by those drinking rainwater.…”