Yes, it’s World Giraffe Day! While those of us in the northern hemisphere celebrate the longest day, it’s the longest night south of the equator. One fact is clear, though, we can easily see giraffes have a very long neck. But do they have long teeth?
Fun facts about giraffe’s teeth
Here are some fun facts to share during tooth-brushing time.
- If you’re ever lucky enough to have a giraffe smile at you, you may think it’s missing some teeth. That’s because giraffes, like cows and other cud-chewing ruminants, don’t have any upper incisors. They appear to be missing their top front teeth.
- Instead they have a hard dental pad to help them get lots of vegetation into their mouth.
- Ridges on the roof of their mouth help the food to move towards the back of their mouth.
- Giraffes also have a good set of strong molars at the back of their jaws to grind up their favourite food of acacia leaves.
- Because thorny acacia trees are a bit of a grazing challenge, giraffes have tough lips and a very long tongue (even as long as 50cm) to help.
- Giraffes do have long teeth, especially the roots. Their molars are not as wide as a cows, but then their heads are narrower.
- And, a grown giraffe has 32 teeth – just like a person.
Learn more facts about giraffes here.
And how much do you know about a dolphin’s mouth?
Caring for children’s oral health
Private dental care plans offer advantageous rates for children who attend the dentist with their parents. SpaDental practices are dedicated to preventive care.
People also ask:
Do you wonder if your teeth are too long?
Some adults express concern that their teeth look too long for their face.
Also, when children first grow their second teeth, it may seem they have big teeth compared to how their milk teeth looked. Usually, as children become adults and their facial features assume their adult form, teeth appear more in proportion.
Some adults, however, may have concerns that their teeth are too big. What is most important, however, is that teeth and gums are healthy. Whatever their size and shape, a healthy mouth is always attractive, especially framed by a cheerful smile. Therefore, we highly recommend following a rigorous oral health routine at home.
If you wonder what you can do to improve the appearance of your teeth, then talk to your dentist. During a consultation, your dentist can talk you through options to help you have a healthy smile that suits you. A good dentist will always prioritise healthy teeth.