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Q.  Horses survived in the wild without a dentist, why does my horse need her teeth done?     A  Horses in the wild did without vaccine, wormer, health care providers, shoer, and owners. they also died sooner. Q.  What is floating?     A  Floating is a term givin to what an equine dentist does when removing the sharp points, ramps & hooks from a horses mouth. Q.  Why is floating necessary?     A  It's necessary if you want to keep your horse comfortable & healthy. If left unaddressed, it can lead to a bad attitude when riding and loosing a dangerous amount of weight. Your horses teeth are just as important as hoof care. Q.  What is the difference between "hooks" and "points?"     A  Hooks occur on the upper first pre molar and on the last lower back molars.  Points occur on all the cheek molars on the outside top and inside bottom tongue area. Q.  What are ulcers?     A  Ulcers are sores in the cheeks of the mouth caused by the points from the cheek molars. Q.  What is a "ramp?"     A  A ramp is where the front teeth pre molars make like a ski ramp on the first two  pre molars on the bottom Q.  What does the dentist mean when he says a horse "smiles?"     A  The two middle top incisors are longer than the middle bottom incisors. Q.  How often should a horse have a dental exam?     A  Every 6 months. Q.  Is it true that horses do not need their teeth floated until they are about 10 years old?     A  No! Like humans, horses have baby teeth that are softer than the permanent teeth and the softer teeth get sharp points faster & cause serious pain that can effect the attitude and training ability in horses 2 & 3 years old. Q.   My horses are all fat and happy and some of them are yearlings and really too young to have dental problems. Why should I spend money on unnecessary procedures?     A  The only horses that regular dental procedures are unnecessary on, are the dead ones!  It is very necessary on all others.  A lot of serious dental problems in older horses could have been prevented with regular dental work when younger. Q.  At what age does a horse acquire all his permanent teeth?     A  Usually by the time he's 4 1/2 to 5 years of age. Q.  What are "caps?"     A  Baby teeth Q.  What are "wolf teeth?" Are they the same as "canine teeth?"     A  Wolf teeth are the first pre molar tooth. It's a small non functioning tooth in front of the cheek teeth. Canines are the fighting teeth incurred just behind the incisors, primarily in geldings & stallions. Q.  Someone told me their lame horse became sound after they had the teeth done.     A  This is true, Some lameness problems have been resolved with thorough dentistry. Q.  If my horse only has a few teeth left, does he still need regular dental exams?     A  Yes Q.  How do dental care needs change as a horse ages?     A  As the teeth age the growth rat e slows down but the teeth get more brittle & paradonial desease and fractured teeth are a lot more common Q.  Does a person have to be a veterinarian to be an equine dentist?     A  By Florida law No, but they are only allowed to use straight float files which cannot do the job that power tools can do in the proper hands. Q.  Is dentistry with power tools dangerous?     A  Used correctly, not at all. Q.  After what age does it become difficult to "age" a horse by looking at his teeth?     A  About 12, then it becomes a "ball park" Q.  How often do horses get cavities?     A   Frequently.  We now feed sugar dieats in our sweet feeds.