For more than 400 million years, sharks have roamed every ocean on the earth. Shark’s are one of the few species that have thrived on our planet for a long period, so we need to know that shark is important to our ocean ecosystems and protect them. But the truth is some mysterious hunters kill up to 100 million sharks per year for their teeth, skin, fins, and their meat. Have you ever wondered what are shark’s teeth made of, and why do sharks lose their teeth often? To know answers to all your questions, sink your teeth into these interesting facts about shark teeth.
Can Sharks Get Cavities?
No, sharks don’t get cavities as they are built with cavity protection as their teeth are made up of 100% fluorides. Whereas humans and other animal’s teeth contain hydroxyapatite, an inorganic constituent found in the bone. And they don’t eat sugar. Discover all about shark teeth below.
- Sharks are born with teeth.
Unlike humans, sharks enter into this world with a full set of teeth, which makes them easy to feed and fend for themselves as they don’t have parental care.
How Many Teeth Do Sharks Have in a Lifetime?
- A. Over 10,000
- B. Over 20,000
- C. Over 30,000
- D. Over 40,000
- Sharks have thousands of teeth.
Most sharks have 5 rows of teeth, and they have the ability to reach 3000 teeth at once. The growth of teeth differs from the variety of sharks, and they never run out of teeth.
- Shark teeth fix themselves.
Like humans, sharks can also fix their teeth, and they are luckier than us. If one of their teeth falls down, another teeth pops out from the rows of backup teeth. In fact, they use over 20,000 teeth throughout their lifetime.
- Sharks kill their prey and then swallow it whole.
While we humans use our teeth to bite, chew and grind the food, sharks use their teeth to grab, hold and rip their prey. They can swallow their food as a whole.
- Shark’s teeth are fossils.
Shark’s teeth are more than teeth. They are more like fossils, and the teeth of megalodon are costlier, and they are in very high demand. Their single tooth is worth about $300, whereas a human tooth cost about $3.50.