How Do Rats Teeth Keep Growing?
WouterIf you’ve ever wondered how rats keep growing their teeth, you’re not alone. In fact, rats’ teeth grow an average of 4.5 to 5.5 inches (11.4 to 14 centimeters) per year. This continuous growth prevents their teeth from wearing away. In the wild, rats gnaw on a variety of hard objects including tree bark and bones. Some rats even gnaw on metal bars.
Rats have three sets of molars, which develop at different ages. Their first set of molars erupts around 19 days after birth. The second molar erupts on the twenty-first day of life. The third molar grows a few weeks later, at 35 to 40 days old. After that, the growth rate slows significantly. The remaining molars continue to grow, but at a much slower rate.
Overgrown teeth can be painful and prevent a rat from eating properly. An overgrown tooth can also cause sores in the mouth. In severe cases, an overgrown tooth can even cause malnutrition. If your rat has overgrown teeth, you should consult with a veterinarian for treatment. The dentist will either open the abscess and remove the tooth or perform a surgical procedure to remove it. In many cases, a soft diet can help the abscess heal, but it’s important to monitor your rat’s dental health as much as possible.
In addition to overgrowth, rats are also susceptible to malocclusion, or tooth misalignment. This condition affects the rat’s incisors, the front teeth. Infections, trauma, or lack of chewable objects can cause a malocclusion of the teeth. Because the top and bottom incisors aren’t in the same position, they won’t wear down at the same rate, preventing natural wearing.
