How Do Crocodiles Clean Their Teeth?

Crocodile teeth are one of the most noticeable parts of the beast, and with the crocodiles diet, one can't help but wonder how the teeth remain clean and white. Surprisingly, crocodiles do indeed clean their teeth. However, it is in a natural and selective way that has been adapted over generations.

  1. "Croc" Birds

    • "Crocodile" birds clean a crocodile's teeth mainly by eating and removing leeches that dig into a crocodiles gums. By gaping their jaws sightly open, a crocodile lets these birds peck in it's mouth and eat the leeches, providing food for the birds and dental care for the crocodile.

    Saliva

    • Crocodiles, like most animals, have special saliva glands that produce several enzymes to break down masses of bacteria. These glands have developed over thousands of years and the enzymes used are much more effective in cleaning out bacteria compared to normal human saliva. By using these glands, a crocodile can manage bacteria in its mouth without major health issues.

    Minerals

    • Crocodiles often clean their teeth by sifting through mud and swallowing clay. By doing this, a crocodile absorbs important minerals that help strengthen its teeth. Absorbing these minerals from clay is primarily what makes a crocodile's teeth so white when compared to other animals.

    Bacteria

    • A crocodile actually uses bacteria in its mouth as a weapon, and it only removes dangerous build-ups of bacteria. By having a controllable colony of bacteria in the mouth, crocodiles are able to store killed prey underwater and let it decompose with the aid of the bacteria that enters the prey's blood stream from the crocodile's bite. Crocodiles, not having the ability to chew and only can swallow, use the bacteria to decompose the prey into sizes small enough to swallow.