https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/magaz...teeth.html

Quote:Wild gorillas eat mostly plants and have fewer dental problems than more omnivorous species like chimpanzees, which consume fruits, nuts and animal protein much as cavity-riddled humans do. Scientists have found that animals undergo distinct morphological changes in captivity; some species grow larger skulls, for example, while others get more cavities. Captive gorillas live as much as 20 years longer than their wild counterparts too, reinforcing the need for a basic dental-hygiene regimen. At Zoo Atlanta, willing gorillas have their teeth brushed several times a week, and dentists are on call to drill out decay and perform the occasional root canal.

From the link it was also mentioned that the Gorilla caretakers chose fluoride free toothpaste. Lol! I guess they determined not to "expose" the animals to that "taint".
Willing to do a root canal though. I wonder what Rx they used for pain?

Bump!

(01-23-2018 09:58 AM)Dasville Wrote:  https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/magaz...teeth.html

Quote:Wild gorillas eat mostly plants and have fewer dental problems than more omnivorous species like chimpanzees, which consume fruits, nuts and animal protein much as cavity-riddled humans do. Scientists have found that animals undergo distinct morphological changes in captivity; some species grow larger skulls, for example, while others get more cavities. Captive gorillas live as much as 20 years longer than their wild counterparts too, reinforcing the need for a basic dental-hygiene regimen. At Zoo Atlanta, willing gorillas have their teeth brushed several times a week, and dentists are on call to drill out decay and perform the occasional root canal.

What a job!

(03-21-2018 08:52 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 09:58 AM)Dasville Wrote:  https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/magaz...teeth.html

Quote:Wild gorillas eat mostly plants and have fewer dental problems than more omnivorous species like chimpanzees, which consume fruits, nuts and animal protein much as cavity-riddled humans do. Scientists have found that animals undergo distinct morphological changes in captivity; some species grow larger skulls, for example, while others get more cavities. Captive gorillas live as much as 20 years longer than their wild counterparts too, reinforcing the need for a basic dental-hygiene regimen. At Zoo Atlanta, willing gorillas have their teeth brushed several times a week, and dentists are on call to drill out decay and perform the occasional root canal.

What a job!

Idea - teach them to brush their own teeth. They do have opposable thumbs, after all.

But I agree, I would guess that when kids want to grow up and be a zookeeper, brushing gorilla teeth is not quite what they had in mind.