What Kind of Teeth Do Rats Have?
WouterIf you’ve ever wondered what kind of teeth rats have, you’ve come to the right place! Rats have two main types of teeth: molars and incisors. Rats have a thick layer of enamel on their molars, which are in the back of the mouth. Their incisors grow four to five inches a year, and their enamel is made of a hard yellow material called enamel. Below the enamel, a softer substance called dentin forms the living part of the tooth.
Rats and mice have similar teeth in terms of size and shape. The size of an adult mouse’s molars is nearly identical to that of an adult rat, whereas a 12-week-old rat’s M1 is larger. Similarly, a mouse’s tooth germs measure about 1% of the length of the mandible, whereas a rat’s M1 has about two-thirds as much as a rat’s.
If your rat’s teeth are misaligned or overgrown, you should take them to a veterinarian for a trim. The procedure is relatively painless, although it can cause bleeding when the bottom teeth are trimmed. Overgrown teeth can cause your rat to have trouble eating and chewing, so it is important to trim them often.
Another common problem rats have is malocclusion, a condition where their teeth are not arranged correctly. In this condition, they cannot chew properly and suffer from infections and abscesses. The malocclusion can result from injury, genetics, or dental disease.
