Iintroduction teeth, hard, bony structures in the mouths of humans and animals used primarily to chew food, but also for gnawing, digging, fighting, and catching and killing prey. teeth are the bodys hardest, most durable organlong after bones and flesh have dissolved, archaeologists find well-preserved teeth from humans and other animals that lived thousands of years ago.
humans use teeth to tear, grind, and chew food in the first step of digestion, enabling enzymes and lubricants released in the mouth to further break down food. teeth also play a role in human speechthe teeth, lips, and tongue are used to form words by controlling airflow through the mouth. additionally, teeth provide structural support to muscles in the face and form the human smile.
like humans, most animals use their teeth to chew food, although many animals have evolved teeth that perform other specialized tasks. for example, many carnivorous meat-eating animals, such as tigers, have developed long, s...