Countless hours of research over thousands of years have brought us a profound understanding of our teeth and oral health. Fruits of this labor include innovative dental treatments for some of the most destructive oral health issues, like tooth decay and gum disease. We’ve also been able to develop a specified dental hygiene guideline: brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once, and visit your dentist every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning. Our animal friends, however, do not have dentists, dental research, or toothbrushes, for that matter. So, how do our fellow earth-dwellers care for their dental health? Today, we explore the wild and crazy ways that animals keep their teeth healthy and strong.
Good Dental Health – For Animals!
- Among the most interesting animal teeth are those of the shark. While humans have adopted the practice of treating our teeth with fluoride for greater cavity protection, sharks teeth are comprised of the mineral. In other words, shark teeth create their own toothpaste.
- Even though sharks don’t develop cavities, they do lose teeth every week. However, rather than seeking a professional to replace these teeth, sharks grow their own replacements from row upon row of backup teeth. In fact, a shark can have over 20,000 teeth in its lifetime.
- Crocodiles proudly replace their lost teeth, as well. The giant reptiles carry around 60 teeth at any one time, but can grow a total of 2-3,000 teeth during their lives.
- Interestingly, crocodiles actually do have a little help in their dental hygiene. The aptly-named crocodile bird perches on the crocodile’s open mouth and cleans the crocodile’s teeth with its beak.
- The largest tooth belongs to the elephant, whose tusks are actually inverted incisors. An elephant’s tusk can weigh over 200 pounds each.
- An elephant’s molar is almost as impressive; the behemoth’s back tooth measures about seven inches squared.
ABOUT YOUR DOWNEY, CA, DENTISTS:
Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, and Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh, DDS, provide a wealth of combined experience, along with innovative technology and personalized care, to help improve our patients’ dental health so they can enjoy smiling again. To schedule a consultation, call Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry today at (562) 472-2433.
