All About Shark Teeth

Shark teeth are incredibly fascinating! In some ways, they’re like ours, and in others, they’re wildly different. Check out this short video on shark teeth from our friends at Delta Dental of Virginia to learn more:

Similarities between shark and human teeth

Human teeth and shark teeth are visually and physically different. However, there are some similarities between them that may surprise you. Some shark teeth, like human teeth, have a central “pulp cavity” surrounded by dentine and hard enamel. Shark teeth also leave behind a fossil record just like human teeth. Scientists have come to know about prehistoric sharks based purely on the shape and size of fossilized teeth.

Differences between shark and human teeth

There are many differences between human and shark teeth. Check out some below:

• Sharks have more than one row of teeth. Sharks have up to 15 rows of teeth at one time. They act as conveyor belts, rotating in spaces that need filling.
• Sharks are constantly losing their teeth. Some sharks will lose up to 50,000 teeth in their lifetime.
• Sharks regrow their teeth in 24 hours.
• Shark teeth don’t have roots as human teeth do. Therefore, they are much more likely to fall out or break while they’re eating.

Other fun shark teeth facts:

• The specific shape of a shark’s tooth will depend on what it eats. Sharks that eat more crustaceans will have flattened teeth adapted to crushing prey. On the other hand, sharks that feed on fish will have more sharpened teeth for catching fish.
• The Megalodon, a giant prehistoric shark, had about 276 pointed teeth fixed in five rows, measuring at seven inches. They are believed to be the largest ever teeth in any shark species.

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