Flat-toothed

Flat-toothed describes a condition or characteristic of having teeth with surfaces that are worn down, smooth, and lacking pronounced cusps or sharp edges. This can be due to age, diet, or excessive grinding. The term often refers to the physical appearance of teeth but can also imply a reduced ability for efficient food processing, particularly in herbivores. The flatness of the teeth is the defining feature, distinguishing it from teeth with pointed or ridged surfaces. This flattening results from the wear and tear of repeated chewing and can significantly impact the ability to grind and process food.

Flat-toothed meaning with examples

• The elderly horse, due to its advanced age, had become noticeably flat-toothed, making it more difficult for him to chew hay and requiring a softer feed to maintain his nutrition and overall health. His once sharp molars were smooth.
• Fossil evidence revealed the discovery of a flat-toothed herbivore, indicating that it likely consumed tough vegetation like grasses, its teeth a testament to years of grinding against abrasive plants. The structure of these teeth was crucial in the study.
• The veterinarian examined the rabbit and determined that, because of the misalignment, it had developed some flat-toothed molars on one side of its jaw. This was affecting its ability to eat and receive all the nutrients required.
• Continuous consumption of abrasive materials, such as sand-filled feed, led to the premature development of flat-toothed characteristics in the cattle's teeth. This caused them to need more supplementation.
• The paleontologist, studying the ancient skull, identified the animal as having flat-toothed features which supported his theory that they were likely suited for eating fibrous vegetation in this environment.