Teeth - the ultimate chew toys

Teeth are small, hard, calcified structures that are found inside the mouths of most animals. These tiny tools are used for one thing and one thing only - biting and chewing!

Even though they may be small, they are mighty! Just imagine trying to eat your favorite cereal or steak without them. It’s a terrifying thought. Without teeth, you might as well start eating like a baby bird and just regurgitate chewed up food in someone else’s mouth.

Teeth are often referred to as “pearly whites”, but let’s be real, they are more like “yellowish bone-like nubs”. Despite all the whitening strips and toothbrushes, teeth are naturally yellowish and tend to be a little smelly, which is why humans have invented the wonderful thing called “mouthwash”.

Did you know that some animals have more teeth than humans? For example, sharks have up to 3,000 teeth in their lifetime. That’s a lot of shedding and tooth fairies. And did you also know that many animals use their teeth for other purposes besides eating? Take the platypus for example - they use their teeth as a self-defense mechanism by delivering a venomous bite. Talk about multi-functional!

But let’s get back to the issue at hand - humans and our teeth. It’s amazing how much time and money we spend on dental care. We brush, floss, and even go to the dentist to have someone else poke and prod inside our mouths. It’s like a strange form of torture, but we do it because we want to keep our teeth strong and shiny.

So, the next time you take a bite out of your favorite food, just think about how amazing your teeth are. They may be little, but they do a mighty job of helping you to chew and enjoy all the delicious things in life. Plus, they make for great conversation starters at parties!