After receiving feedback and questions from some of our visitors, we’ve decided to create a frequently asked question (FAQ) page here on our website. Here we’ll be answering some of the most commonly asked questions regarding shark teeth. If there’s a question burning a hole in your mind that we haven’t answered yet, shoot us an email and we’ll try to cover it. We can’t make any promises, but the staff and members here at SharkTeethStore.com are well-educated on sharks and shark teeth.
How Many Teeth Do Sharks Have?
A typical shark has approximately 3,000 teeth which are arranged in 5 to 15 rotating rows. When a tooth falls out, another one simply rotates to take its place. During their lifetime, a shark can go through as many as 50,000 different teeth! So that’s why there are so many shark teeth everywhere…
What Species of Shark Have The Largest Teeth?
The now-extinct megalodon shark is notorious for having the largest teeth of any shark, reaching lengths of over 7 inches long! Although this species has been extinct for approximately 1.5 million years, scuba divers, shark teeth hunters and beach vacationers still find their prized teeth in the waters and shores throughout the world.
Why Don’t Sharks Get Cavities?
Even without yearly dental exams and cleanings, sharks simply don’t get cavities! While scientists are still trying to figure out why this is, German researchers have recently discovered several shark species to have fluoride coating their teeth. If you don’t know the importance of this, let me explain – fluoride is a common ingredient found in most types of toothpaste which acts to protect them from cavities and decay.
Why are Some Shark Teeth Different Colors?
Shark teeth receive their color based on the ocean sediments which surrounded them. After a tooth falls out of a shark’s mouth, it typically drops to the bottom of the ocean floor where various sediments surround and encapsulate it. This process, known as permineralization, fossilizes the tooth so that it may stay intact for millions of years (hence the one million-year-old plus Megalodon teeth).
Where Can I Find Shark Teeth?
You may not realize that shark teeth can be found on practically every beach in the world. Some of them are buried in the sand, while others are washed up ashore after a storm rolls in. However, you can also find shark teeth on land embedded in marine-derived sedimentary rocks (where the ocean once was).