Matthew Moister Equine Dental Technician

20/08/2026

04/08/2026

The people providing dental care for your horse matter.In this vi...

08/07/2026

Recently welcomed a new horse into your life?

When buying a new horse, it’s common to hear they’re “up to date with everything.” But does that include their dental care?

It’s worth asking about your horse’s dental history to help you understand their oral health and ensure they receive the ongoing care they need.

Some useful questions to ask include:

When was their last dental examination?
Who carried it out?
Were any abnormalities identified or recommendations made?
Have they ever had teeth extracted or any ongoing dental issues?
Are there any previous dental records available?
When are they due for their next routine examination?

Many horses continue to eat well, maintain weight and perform normally despite significant dental disease. As prey animals, they are remarkably stoic and often adapt to discomfort, meaning problems can go unnoticed until they become more advanced.

Arranging a routine dental examination provides a valuable baseline for your horse’s oral health, helps identify any problems that may need attention, and gives you peace of mind as you begin your journey together.

To find a BAEDT member in your area visit 👉🏼www.baedt.com 🦷

30/06/2026

A diastema (singular) or diastemata (plural) refers to an abnormal space between teeth.

Normally, horses have six cheek teeth in each dental arcade, tightly positioned to function as a single grinding unit. However, if a gap exists between these teeth then food can become trapped.

A UK study indicated that 49.9% of horses of all ages are affected. The prevalence of diastemata increases in horses over the age of 15.

Diastemata are classified into two types:

Primary Diastemata

These are developmental in nature and can occur due to improper rostral-caudal angulation, dental buds that are too far apart, or teeth that are developmentally displaced or rotated.

Secondary Diastemata

These are acquired and may result from tooth displacement, pressure from occlusal overgrowths, drifting teeth following extraction, or the natural tapering of teeth with age, leading to senile diastemata.

There are two types of diastemata based on the gap’s shape:

Open Diastema: The gap is the same width from top to bottom.

Valve Diastema: The top of the gap is narrower than the bottom, which can cause food impaction.

As food accumulates, it can irritate the gums and create an environment where bacteria thrive, leading to inflammation, infection and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is considered one of the most painful conditions affecting the equine mouth.

Some horses may show signs such as quidding, bad breath, difficulty eating or weight loss, while others can have significant disease with very few obvious symptoms.

Treatment and long-term management vary from horse to horse. The first step is often removing impacted food and carrying out good quality dentistry, including reducing any overgrowths that may be contributing to food trapping. Dietary adjustments may also help in some cases, particularly where certain feeds are more likely to become impacted within the gap.

More advanced cases may require veterinary involvement and further treatment.

Every diastema is different, which is why regular dental examinations and an individual management plan are so important.

Horses are remarkably good at adapting to dental problems, which is why regular dental examinations are so important.

To learn more about this condition watch our YouTube video 👉🏼 “Top 3 dental abnormalities” 🔗 https://youtu.be/DlXfJpbKF5g?si=DyXW_TYHc8U5QNKZ 🦷

16/06/2026

From back in the day…. Riding 36 Caramel with 45 Cleopatra in hand

09/06/2026

I had my first ever go at public speaking on Saturday. Only a 10 minute talk on a few things I’ve learnt in 18 years of doing this job and the importance of looking after yourself physically, mentally and financially. Thanks to all for kind words afterwards - great to see so many EDTs at our annual congress

16/04/2026

What is Infundibular Caries in horses?

Infundibular caries is a common dental disease affecting the upper (maxillary) molars of horses. Each upper molar has two infundibula, which are tubular, crescent-shaped structures on the chewing surface, normally filled with cementum.

Sometimes, the infundibula aren’t fully filled with cementum due to cemental hypoplasia (also called hypocementosis).

As the tooth erupts and wears down, this defect is exposed, allowing food and bacteria to enter.

Bacteria ferment carbohydrates, leading to acid production, which demineralises dental tissues, this is called caries.

Why is it a problem?

Decay can spread from the cementum to enamel, dentine, and even the pulp.

Severe lesions can cause the two infundibula to coalesce, weakening the tooth and leading to fractures.

Advanced cases may result in endodontic infections, leading to apical disease, sinusitis, or even tooth root abscesses.

Grading of Infundibular Caries (Modified Honma Scale):
• Grade 0 – No caries
• Grade 1 – Caries limited to cementum
• Grade 2 – Caries extends into enamel
• Grade 3 – Caries extends into dentine
• Grade 4 – Pulp exposure and/or tooth fracture

Risk factors:
• Age – Older horses are more likely to develop caries
• Cemental hypoplasia – Poor cementum formation predisposes the tooth

Treatment:
• Infundibula restoration (filling) by a veterinary dental specialist to protect the pulp and restore tooth function
• Regular dental exams are important to detect and monitor caries early

Progression is usually slow, but if left untreated, it can sometimes result in severe complications. Regular, thorough dental examinations can help identify infundibular caries early, enabling your EDT to monitor progression and, if necessary, provide appropriate referral recommendations.

To learn more about infundibular caries and other common dental abnormalities watch our YouTube video 👇🏼

https://youtu.be/DlXfJpbKF5g?si=Knch5Anc-4gnKmOh

07/04/2026