Why do humans have to go out of their way to take care of their teeth compared to animals in nature?
Once upon a time, people did not brush their teeth. However, there were no processed food items or fast food back then [1]. People ate natural and unprocessed foods like wheat, rice, vegetables, and fruits, which were quite safe since they did not contain any preservatives or chemicals [1]. The diet back then consisted of all natural and unprocessed foods, which contained nutrients and vitamins that made the teeth stronger and more resistant against cavities and other dental infections [1]. Although people did not brush their teeth back then, canines like dogs, wolves, lions, tigers, and other large cats did [3]. Their saliva has a cleaning effect and helps keep bacteria away [3]. Their saliva is around 8.5 pH, which helps them to keep the enamel at the door and prevent cavities [3].
Most animals in nature don't have to go out of their way to take care of their teeth like humans do [1, 3]. This is because most wild animals are already naturally protected from tooth decay, due to the food they eat [1]. The food that wild animals eat consists of the same type of refined sugars that is bad news for their dental health [1]. Some species of animals naturally replace their teeth quite frequently, and creatures that have powerful bites tend to shed teeth more frequently than other species [2]. Overall, wild animals don't get tooth decay because the food they eat tends to be hard, not squishy, and has low sugar content [3]. This is in comparison to the food we give to our pets, which consists of refined sugars and starches, and can lead to tooth decay [1, 3].