Shark teeth have built-in toothpaste — and no cavities

An in-depth look at shark teeth has found that they contain fluoride, the active ingredient of most toothpaste and dental care mouthwashes.

the outer covering of shark teeth is made up of fluoride, the active component of most toothpaste, so sharks should never get cavities or tooth decay.

Great White Shark – Photo: John Gurney

Shark teeth are covered in fluoride, making them cavity-resistant. One 2012 study published in the Journal of Structural Biology found that sharks’ enamel is made up of a chemical called fluoroapatite, which is resistant to acid produced by bacteria.

It helps to explain why sharks are so effective at either tearing or cutting prey. Their teeth are perfectly designed for such tasks, never suffering from cavities, according to the study, recently published in the Journal of Structural Biology.

shark tooth 02In addition to the unique structure of their teeth, sharks also have the handy ability to replace their teeth several times during their lives. This is not due to cavities, but rather because their teeth sometimes wind up stuck in prey or are otherwise forced out.

Source: LiveScience

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