question: Why do animals get away with not brushing their teeth, but human teeth will not last without regular brushing?
comment: It is in what we eat. Certain things we eat destroy the enamel that protects the fleshy part of our teeth (pulp). Namely cane sugar. Once the enamel is compromised, it is easy for the pulp to rot. Animals are not completely immune to this. Dogs, for instance, develop issues with tartar and plaque buildup that can lead to rotting teeth. In the animal world, the tooth will eventually just fall out/break/rot to nothing. It just happens that most animals (especially the carnivores that require sharp teeth to eat) only eat things that could never cause tooth decay.
passages: The mesowear method or tooth wear scoring method is a quick and inexpensive process of determining the lifelong diet of a taxon (grazer or browser) and was first introduced in the year 2000.
  
  The mesowear technique can be extended to extinct and also extant animals.
   Generally, tooth development in non-human mammals is similar to human tooth development. The variations usually lie in the morphology, number, development timeline, and types of teeth. However, some mammals' teeth do develop differently than humans'.
   Most species are omnivorous, but fruit is the preferred food among all but some human groups. Chimpanzees and orangutans primarily eat fruit. When gorillas run short of fruit at certain times of the year or in certain regions, they resort to eating shoots and leaves, often of bamboo, a type of grass. Gorillas have extreme adaptations for chewing and digesting such low-quality forage, but they still prefer fruit when it is available, often going miles out of their way to find especially preferred fruits. Humans, since the neolithic revolution, consume mostly cereals and other starchy foods, including increasingly highly processed foods, as well as many other domesticated plants (including fruits) and meat. Hominid teeth are similar to those of the Old World monkeys and gibbons, although they are especially large in gorillas. The dental formula is . Human teeth and jaws are markedly smaller for their size than those of other apes, which may be an adaptation to eating cooked food since the end of the Pleistocene.
   Tooth development is the complex process by which teeth form from embryonic cells, grow, and erupt into the mouth. Although many diverse species have teeth, their development is largely the same as in humans. For human teeth to have a healthy oral environment, enamel, dentin, cementum, and the periodontium must all develop during appropriate stages of fetal development. Primary teeth start to form in the development of the embryo between the sixth and eighth weeks, and permanent teeth begin to form in the twentieth week. If teeth do not start to develop at or near these times, they will not develop at all.
   Dental caries (non-human)
  
  Dental caries, also known as tooth decay, is uncommon among companion animals. The bacteria "Streptococcus mutans" and "Streptococcus sanguis" cause dental caries by metabolising sugars.
  
  The term "feline cavities" is commonly used to refer to feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions, however, sacchrolytic acid-producing bacteria (the same responsible for Dental plaque) are not involved in this condition.
  
  Section::::In dogs.
   In dogs, the teeth are less likely than humans to form dental cavities because of the very high pH of dog saliva, which prevents enamel from demineralizing. Sometimes called cuspids, these teeth are shaped like points (cusps) and are used for tearing and grasping food
  
  Section::::Mammals.:Cetaceans.
   Preventative action is required to prevent the continuous accumulation of plaque, tartar, and calculus, and to reduce the long term risk of dental diseases. Although a dental diet is formulated to reduce plaque and/or tartar and plays an important role in oral care and hygiene, it is not the only method that can be used to care for a dog’s teeth. Daily dental dog chews and teeth brushing will scrape away plaque before it forms into tartar. Regular dental check-ups by a veterinarian will assess the health of the mouth and jaw, and advise whether dental cleanings are required. These are all necessary and crucial steps to maintain oral health, and contribute to the overall health of a dog.
   Oral disease is not a new problem for cats. A study performed by O'Neill et al. (2014), discovered the same feline dental diseases found today, in the skulls of cats living fifty years ago. This highlights that felines are predisposed to poor oral health, a trait which is likely due to their origins as a desert species and the typical diet they consume. It is important to note that purebred cats are not at a higher risk of developing oral diseases when compared to mixed breeds. This further supports the supposition that the lifestyle of the cat plays the largest role on dental health.
   Dental abrasion or tooth wear is common in ferrets, and is caused by mechanical wear of the teeth. Eating manufactured dry food (kibble) will erode (due to the hard and extremely dry kibble) the carnassial teeth of the ferret, the wear from the eating kibble can become significant with old age (after three to five years). If teeth are overly ground down, a ferret cannot use them as scissors to eat raw meat. Tooth erosion eventually affects a ferret's ability to eat solid food. Dental abrasion can also be caused by excessive chewing on fabrics or toys, and cage biting. If the ferret engages in these activities a lot, it might be a sign of boredom, and more stimulating activities (such as play) should rectify the situation.
   Dental health diets for cats
  
  Oral health can be difficult for pet owners and veterinary teams to manage in cats, particularly for pets whose owners are not committed to regular teeth brushing and/or dental treats. It is critical that veterinarians and pet experts educate owners to the benefits of supporting good oral health. Oral disease is common among cats, and may lead to other health issues such as bacterial infections of major organs including the heart, kidneys and liver. Dietary selection, along with at home dental hygiene care, allows cat owners to influence the oral status of their pets.
   Feline dental health diets are pet foods designed to prevent oral diseases in cats. Many commercial and prescription pet food manufacturers offer dental specific diets aimed to improve the oral health of adult domestic cats.
  
  Section::::Dental health effects on overall feline health.
  
  Managing oral health is important for maintaining optimum health status in cats. Periodontal diseases are prevalent in cats of all ages, and have the potential to further develop into local and/or systemic diseases. If oral hygiene is not supported and periodontal disease develops, this will affect the overall health of the animal.
   BULLET::::- Levels of stable isotopes in their tooth enamel suggest an aquatic diet and environment (carbon and oxygen) and fresh or brackish water (strontium).
  
  BULLET::::- Their spongy bone structure is similar to that of cetaceans.
   Section::::Mammals.:Rabbit.
   Pain originating from dental problems is very rarely recognized by owners or professionals. Seldom will an animal become anorexic due to a dental problem. The exception to this is in the case of severe soft tissue injury, for example chronic gingivostomatitis. In general dental pain is a chronic pain, and it is only after treatment that an owner reports how much better their pet is doing. Pain is often mistaken for a pet just getting old.
  
  Very few clients examine their pets’ teeth unless they are carrying out daily home care, so actual dental problems often go unnoticed. 
  
  brbr
   Although rarely seen in cats, the incidence of caries in dogs has been estimated at approximately 5%. Dogs are less likely than humans to have tooth decay due to the very high pH of dog saliva, which prevents an acidic environment from forming and the subsequent demineralization of enamel which would occur. In the event that tooth decay does occur (usually from trauma), dogs can receive dental fillings just as humans do.
   Zinc compounds, more specifically zinc ascorbate, also play a role in preventing plaque accumulation due to antimicrobial activity. Zinc salts inhibit bacterial growth by binding to sulfur to control plaque formation, as well as reduce foul oral odours. However, research has only been performed on cats, so the same evidence may not be directly applicable to dogs.
   Although daily brushing provides the best preventative measure, feeding a dental diet or using dental chews for dogs is an effective approach pet owners can take to help prevent and control accumulation of plaque and tartar to avoid consequences of severe periodontal disease. Dental diets consider many aspects of oral health such as inflammation, bone health and physical and chemical characteristics of the kibble when being formulated. Some diets, chews and/or other oral products may also strive to receive approval by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) for validation of their product’s claims.
  
  Section::::Bone health.
   Section::::Preventive medicine.:Dentistry.
  
  Dental disease is one of the most common diseases in dogs. Accumulation of plaque and subsequently tartar leads to gingivitis and then periodontitis (gum disease). Periodontitis leads to loss of the bony attachment of the teeth and tooth loss. Preventive measures include tooth brushing, providing an appropriate diet (avoiding tinned and other soft foods and providing dental chew treats) and dental scaling and polishing. Cavities are uncommon in dogs.
  
  Section::::Preventive medicine.:Parasite medication.
  
  Once-a-month topical products or ingestible pills are the most commonly used products to kill and prevent future parasite infestations.
  
  Section::::Nutrition and obesity.
   Section::::Epidemiology.
  
  Gingival enlargement is common.
  
  Section::::Other animals.
   Mesowear
  
  Mesowear is a method, used in different branches and fields of biology. This method can apply to both extant and extinct animals, according to the scope of the study. Mesowear is based on studying an animal's tooth wearing fingerprint. In brief, each animal has special feeding habits, which cause unique tooth wearing. Rough feeds cause serious tooth abrasion, while smooth one triggers moderate abrasion, so browsers have teeth with moderate abrasion and grazers have teeth with rough abrasion. Scoring systems can quantify tooth abrasion observations and ease comparisons between individuals.
  
  Section::::Mesowear definition.
   BULLET::::- Pinney, Chris C. (1992) "The illustrated veterinary guide for dogs, cats, birds & exotic pets", 1st ed., Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books
  
  BULLET::::- Randall-Bowman, [n.i.] (2004) "Gummed Out: Young Horses Lose Many Teeth, Vet Says", archived webpage, accessed 8 October 2007]
  
  BULLET::::- Ross, Michael H., Kaye, G.I. and Pawlina, W. (2006) "Histology: a text and atlas", 5th ed., Philadelphia; London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,
  
  BULLET::::- Springer, Shelley C. and Annibale, D.J. (2006) "Kernicterus", eMedicen online, accessed 7 October 2007
   The results of a study of dental microwear on tooth enamel for specimens of the carnivore species from LaBrea pits, including dire wolves, suggest that these carnivores were not food-stressed just before their extinction. The evidence also indicated that the extent of carcass utilization (i.e., amount consumed relative to the maximum amount possible to consume, including breakup and consumption of bones) was less than among large carnivores today. These finding indicates that tooth breakage was related to hunting behavior and the size of prey.
  
  Section::::Adaptation.:Climate impact.
   Section::::Primates.
  
  Primates have four cutting upper parallel fore-teeth, except in some bat species which have two or none; solitary tusks in each jaw, one on each side; two pectoral teats; two feet and hands; flattened, oval nails; and they eat fruits.
  
  BULLET::::- "Homo"
  
  BULLET::::- "Homo sapiens"
  
  BULLET::::- "Homo americanus"
  
  BULLET::::- "Homo europaeus"
  
  BULLET::::- "Homo asiaticus"
  
  BULLET::::- "Homo afer"
  
  BULLET::::- "Homo monstrosus"
  
  BULLET::::- "Homo troglodytes" – partly based on myth, partly on orangutans
  
  BULLET::::- "Simia"
  
  BULLET::::- "Simia satyrus" – common chimpanzee
  
  BULLET::::- "Simia sylvanus" – Barbary macaque
  
  BULLET::::- "Simia sphinx" – mandrill
  
  BULLET::::- "Simia apedia" – "nomen dubium"
   Recents estimates of the last common ancestors of humans and chimpanzees are around 12 million years ago. After this split the first bipedal hominins appeared around 4 million years ago in the genus "Australopithecus".The first appearance of genus "Homo" takes place around 2.8 million years ago with "Homo habilis", followed by "Homo erectus" at around 1.8 million years ago, "Homo neanderthalensis" by 400,000 years ago and finally the first appearance of "Homo sapiens" by 200,000 years ago. In each new species of hominin, particularly genus "Homo" there is a general trend of increasing brain size and decreasing dentition, these patterns are inextricably linked with an evolving diet.
   Dental health diets for dogs
  
  Periodontal disease, also known as oral disease, is one of the most common diseases found in dogs and cats. It is caused by the buildup of various anaerobic bacteria in the mouth which forms plaque, eventually hardening into tartar on the teeth along the gum line, and is related to the development of gingivitis. Since small and toy breeds have a much smaller jaw but contain the same number of teeth, crowding allows higher bacterial build up and puts them at higher risk of developing periodontal disease.
  
presuppositions: Animals can get away with not brushing their teeth. Animals and humans both eat foods that cause tooth decay.
corrections: Animal teeth can still rot, but most animals only eat things that could never cause tooth decay. Animals don't eat foods that cause tooth decay but humans do.
raw_presuppositions: Animals can get away with not brushing their teeth. Animals and humans both eat foods that cause tooth decay.
raw_corrections: Animal teeth can still rot, but most animals only eat things that could never cause tooth decay. Animals don't eat foods that cause tooth decay but humans do.