ELLA the donkey was putting on a 'bray-ve' face as her mighty molars were given a wash and brush-up.

And while her dentist Maxine Hoad might have looked down in the mouth, she was really all smiles.

Veterinary nurse Maxine was called in to help 13-year-old Ella, who was within the skin of her teeth of losing her big grin.

Although not particularly long in the tooth, Ella was suffering from gingivitis, a form of gum disease, and is now receiving regular tooth brushing by staff at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth.

Ella's condition causes the gums around the teeth to become very red and swollen and over a number of years the bone supporting the teeth can be lost.

Donkeys, which can live to over 60, initially have 24 baby or deciduous teeth, which fall out to give way to 12 incisors, 24 cheek teeth, four canines in male donkeys and up to a possible four wolf teeth.

The most effective treatment is to regularly clean the teeth — and that's where Maxine comes in.

She said: "We use a normal-sized toothbrush and an anti-bacterial liquid to clean her teeth.

"We can treat donkeys with gingivitis by flushing out the mouth with an anti-bacterial wash and putting them on a course of antibiotics, but brushing is the most effective way, although unusual for a donkey.

"Ella really doesn't seem to mind the toothbrush — she is a perfect patient."

Ella is one of thousands of donkeys being cared for by The Donkey Sanctuary.

The barns are fitted with heat lamps, rubber matting is provided for the elderly, and those with respiratory problems have airy stables and dust-free bedding.

Blind donkeys and their sighted friends have padded shelters for further protection.