What do a rat’s teeth look like? - briefly
Rats possess a pair of large, forward‑projecting incisors in each jaw, each with a sharp, chisel‑like edge and an orange‑brown enamel caused by iron deposits; behind them are smaller, flat molars for grinding. The incisors grow continuously and require constant gnawing to keep them from over‑extending.
What do a rat’s teeth look like? - in detail
Rats possess a pair of large, forward‑projecting incisors in each jaw. The crowns are chisel‑shaped, with a sharp, thin edge that tapers to a point. Front surfaces display a bright orange‑brown hue caused by iron‑rich enamel; the rear surfaces appear lighter, reflecting underlying dentin. Continuous growth produces a smooth, glossy finish when the teeth are worn by gnawing.
Key characteristics:
- Upper incisors curve slightly outward, lower incisors project forward and intersect the upper pair at a precise angle that creates a self‑sharpening scissor action.
- Each incisor measures approximately 5–7 mm in length in adult specimens.
- The enamel covers only the anterior third of the crown, leaving the posterior two‑thirds composed of softer dentin that wears faster, maintaining the sharp edge.
- A distinct longitudinal groove runs along the labial surface of each tooth, visible as a shallow ridge.
- Both incisors are rooted in the maxilla and mandible, with a broad, robust alveolar socket.
In addition to incisors, rats have twelve cheek teeth (six on each side), arranged as three premolars and three molars per quadrant. These teeth are flatter, with cusps suited for grinding, and exhibit a pale, yellowish coloration due to enamel composition lacking iron pigments.
The overall dental formula for a typical rat is 2/1 incisors, 0/0 canines, 2/1 premolars, 3/3 molars, expressed as ⌊(\frac{1.0.0.3}{1.0.0.3})×2⌋. This arrangement enables efficient gnawing, food processing, and constant tooth renewal throughout the animal’s life.