All About Teeth

Whether a creature has fangs, tusks, or molars, many animals wouldn’t survive without teeth! Teeth can be used to chew, hunt, defend, or even dig. But for scientists, teeth have a hidden value. They’re treasure troves of information.

When scientists dig for fossils, they often look for dental remains. Teeth are covered in a hard substance called enamel. This helps them last longer than other body parts. The size, shape, and organization of teeth in an animal’s mouth can give scientists clues to its diet.

Many animals wouldn’t survive without teeth! Some creatures have fangs. Others have tusks. Teeth are often used to chew. Some animals use them to hunt or defend. They can even help an animal dig. But for scientists, teeth have a hidden value. They’re full of information.

When scientists dig for fossils, they often look for teeth. Teeth are covered in a hard substance. This substance is called enamel. Enamel helps teeth last longer than other body parts. Scientists can learn a lot about an animal from the size and shape of its teeth and the way those teeth are arranged in the animal’s mouth.

The shape of an animal’s teeth tells scientists what it eats. For example, an animal with pointy teeth for slicing and ripping is a meat eater. Plant eaters generally have square-shaped teeth that allow them to grind up plants.

And since teeth grow and wear down at a steady rate over time, scientists can tell how old an animal was when it died just by looking at its teeth!   

The shape of an animal’s teeth tells scientists what it eats. For example, an animal with pointy teeth is a meat eater. It uses its teeth for slicing and ripping. Plant eaters generally have square-shaped teeth. This shape helps the animal chew plants.

Teeth grow and wear down at a steady rate over time. So scientists can tell how old an animal was when it died just by looking at its teeth!