location440 Nicholson Rd, Forrestdale WA 6112

Peripheral Caries

What are peripheral caries?

Peripheral caries of various grades depicted by red arrows, with new shelf of health cementum shown by green arrows

What are peripheral caries?

Peripheral caries refers to caries (decay) of the outsides of the teeth. It is caused by acidic pH in the mouth, leading to a chemical reaction that results in demineralisation, or ‘decay’ of the teeth. It starts on the peripheral cementum (outermost layer of the teeth), and may progress to inner structures such as enamel and dentin. In the more severe cases, it may lead to dental fractures, exposure of the vital cavities of the teeth (which can kill the teeth), soft tissue lacerations and periodontal disease among other complications.

Why does it happen?

Why does it happen?

The disease appears to be multifactorial. Research has shown that horses fed certain hays containing a high percentage of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), such as oaten hay, are more likely to be affected by the condition. Certain carbohydrates are easily fermented by oral bacteria, which release organic acids as a by-product of this fermentation, and these acids dissolve the minerals in the teeth. Water with an acidic pH (e.g. Perth rainwater) is also likely to contribute, whereas slightly alkaline water may be protective. Access to good-quality pasture throughout the year may also be protective. Certain breeds are also more susceptible to caries than others.

How do we diagnose peripheral caries?

How do we diagnose peripheral caries?

Peripheral caries is diagnosed by visual examination of the decay by your veterinarian. The severity is graded depending on the degree and distribution of decay, and ranges from 1.1 (minor decay of the outer cemental layer) to 4 (decay resulting in fracture of the teeth/loss of normal tooth architecture).

What are the treatment options?

What are the treatment options?

The good news is that the condition only affects the part of the tooth in the mouth at the time. As a horse’s teeth continue to erupt throughout their lifetime, the condition can be ‘cured’ if the causal agent is removed and the damaged tooth in the mouth is replaced by the unaffected tooth, which was below the gumline. In very severe cases, where the caries have started eating into the protective layer over the pulp cavities and risks killing the tooth, restorations (‘fillings’) may also be recommended. These help prevent the caries from progressing further and protect the underlying pulp cavities. Read more about how this treatment option helped our patient Jimmy in our case studies. It is recommended that horses on cereal hays (oaten/ wheaten) be changed to an alternative hay source with a lower WSC (e.g. Meadow, rhodes, barley straw or Lucerne hay) and in cases where the water source may be contributing (acidic pH e.g. rainwater), the pH may also be tested and buffering agents may be recommended to increase the pH. In some cases, a caries diet supplement may also be recommended. Fluoride varnish may be applied to the decayed teeth to form a protective substance called fluoroapatite, which may help prevent further decay of the teeth for up to 6 months. Periodontal disease, which commonly occurs with peripheral caries, should also be treated concurrently.

PERIPHERAL CARIES INFORMATION SHEET

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    Equine Dentistry

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    Our vets will work with you and your horse on a comprehensive and tailored preventative dental care plan.

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    Take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities our clinic has to offer. We are equipped with stables and yards with post, rail and mesh fencing and reticulated paddocks for your convenience. Clients can leave their horses for dental treatments, or stay and watch.

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    FAQs

    Where in Perth is Dental Vet located?

    Dental Vet is based at 440 Nicholson Road, Forrestdale WA, just south of Perth. Our purpose-built equine dental clinic provides a calm, safe space for routine and advanced dental procedures. As fully qualified veterinarians, we can also provide our patients with a range of wellness services for your convenience.

    The clinic is just off Armadale Road. It’s also worth noting that there are two driveways onto the property. The first driveway when heading south down Nicholson Road, which usually has a Dental Vet sign out the front, is the driveway to access the clinic. Look for the big grey gates and push the button to open them.

    Does Dental Vet offer a mobile service?

    While we love welcoming clients to our state-of-the-art clinic, we also understand that sometimes on-farm consultations and treatments are preferred for your convenience.

    Our fully equipped mobile service is available throughout Perth’s south-east corridor and nearby regions, including Perth, Armadale, Byford, Oakford, and Serpentine. However we can travel as far south as Harvey, east to Toodyay or north to Lower Chittering, typically anywhere around 100km of the Forrestdale clinic.

    If you’re unsure whether we can visit your area, get in touch and we’ll be happy to confirm.

    What does Dental Vet do?

    We’re Western Australia’s only dedicated equine dental veterinary clinic, offering both comprehensive routine and advanced equine dentistry. Our services include dental examinations, floating, extractions, fillings, root canal therapy, periodontal therapy, and oral X-rays.

    As part of your appointment, we offer a variety of wellness services for your convenience. Our veterinarians can perform vaccinations, microchipping, faecal egg counts (FEC), drenching, blood tests for metabolic disease, radiographs and lameness work-ups.

    We also pride ourselves on providing compassionate care and thorough examinations, so we provide sedation for our patients for their comfort and to allow us to properly diagnose and treat any dental pathology present.

    Who performs the dental work?

    All procedures are carried out by registered veterinarians Dr Kirsten Jackson and Dr Victoria Kö-Peternelj, veterinarians with postgraduate qualifications in equine dentistry. Each has extensive training and provides clinical and educational support for referring veterinarians.

    As veterinary surgeons, they can administer sedation safely, diagnose complex dental issues, carry out patient wellness assessments and perform advanced medical or surgical treatments.

    Our Veterinary Nurse Kelly Dunford and Veterinary Assistant Meg Burns support every procedure, ensuring each appointment runs smoothly and that your horse remains calm and comfortable throughout.

    What equine animals does Dental Vet treat?

    Dental Vet provides care for all equine species including horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Our team is experienced in managing the unique dental needs of each, ensuring every patient, from the smallest miniature to the largest draft horse, receives safe, effective and compassionate treatment.

    Why is equine dental care important?

    Dental problems can cause pain, weight loss and behavioural problems. Many horses hide discomfort until it becomes severe. Unfortunately by the time they present symptoms, the issue has usually escalated to severe infections and disease which can impact the lifespan of their smile and overall health. For ridden horses, placing a bit in a painful mouth can make them resist, act out, or even become dangerous. Studies show almost 60% of Western Australian horses have some form of peripheral caries, often linked to local diet and water pH 1. This highlights why regular, professional veterinary dental examinations are essential for horse health in our region.

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