Injuries to the teeth will happen most often when children are playing in either an organized sporting activity or during casual play with their friends.
Any child or adult who is engaged in organized sporting activities which may result in contact with another athlete during the activity should wear a mouth guard to prevent injuries to the teeth and supporting soft tissues.
The primary function is to prevent injury to the teeth, temporomandibular joints and soft tissues; even more important, it has been demonstrated that concussion injuries to the brain can be prevented by wearing a mouth guard.
For example, with veneers, a shell of porcelain is bonded
to the teeth and because it is so thin, the tooth itself doesn't require much shaping or filing.
No one knows whether phytoliths routinely attach
to the teeth of living animals, says Mark Teaford of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Judging from the shallow roots
to the teeth and the shape of the notches, Mitchell says the whale could not have eaten by gripping, piercing or tearing its prey.