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There are plenty of cool shark facts floating around out there, but did you know these fearsome ocean predators are virtually immune to cavities? Rest assured, one of the last things you’ll need to worry about during your next checkup is sitting next to any great white sharks.
That’s right – sharks do have one considerable evolutionary advantage to us simple land dwellers. That tremendous row of pearly whites is every bit resilient as they are intimidating. Researchers have recently discovered these ocean beasts can’t get cavities! That sure beats mom and dad nagging you to brush before bed.
What makes sharks so unique? Their teeth seem to be coated in fluoride. Scientists discovered at least two species of sharks, makos and tiger sharks, carry teeth that have outer coatings containing one hundred percent fluoride! To achieve the same result, we’d have to coat our teeth in toothpaste 24 hours a day – yuck!
Actually, the ability to avoid cavities is something many non-human creatures have in common. The explanation for this phenomenon is surprisingly straight forward – our love for sugary foods and beverages is perhaps our greatest Achilles’ heel.
While some of us have a sweet tooth (okay, maybe most of us), these varieties of food can wreak havoc in our mouth. Sugar coats the protective enamel of our teeth and when left untreated, the resulting plaque can cause damage to our teeth and irritate our gums. That’s why it’s important for us to remember to brush and floss every day.
Now research teams are looking to see what other sharks carry this useful characteristic. Some of the research they glean from their underwater adventures may one day be useful to keeping our own teeth better protected.
