Wolverine Teeth: A Look into Their Dental Health

Wolverines in North America have some serious dental issues. A recent study looked at over 180 wolverines from Alaska. Most of them were adults, with only a few young ones. The study found that almost all of them had gum disease, but it was usually mild. More than two-thirds had broken teeth, with the breaks going deep into the tooth structure. This is likely because of their strong biting habits. Interestingly, the study found no big difference in tooth problems between male and female wolverines. Tooth enamel defects were rare, which suggests these animals didn't face much stress when their teeth were forming. However, many had unusual numbers of tooth roots, which might help them handle their diet. The study also found that cavities near the tooth roots were linked to exposed pulp and severe gum disease. Wear and tear on teeth were very common, especially in females. This could be due to differences in behavior or diet between males and females. When it comes to the jaw joint, problems were rare and mild. This might mean that wolverines don't put as much stress on their jaws as other animals that have to bite hard to eat. Overall, the dental issues in wolverines are similar to those in other wild carnivores. This suggests that their environment and behavior play a big role in their dental health. More research on their diet, genes, and long-term health could give us a better understanding of how wolverines adapt and stay healthy in the wild.