• Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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    2 days ago

    Like to discourage trying to eat gravel? There aren’t many thingals that would cause acute tooth damage.

    • General_Effort@lemmy.worldOP
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      2 days ago

      For example. Bear in mind that each animal needs to figure that out on its own as it grows up. Have you heard about humans who are unable to feel pain? Very rare congenital condition. Doctors remove their baby teeth or else they will chew up their tongue and mouth. That’s the sort of thing you need to think about.

      A number of animals, birds especially, swallow rocks to help them grind up food in their intestine.

      • Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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        2 days ago

        I just am not sure what biological purpose it serves, other then to dissuade eating extremely abrasive stuff all the time. It’s not like if their teeth hurts they can go to a dentist and or nutritionist to get them repaired or tell them exactly what is wrong with their diet.

        • General_Effort@lemmy.worldOP
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          18 hours ago

          Fair enough. We have pain receptors all over our internal organs, and I can’t figure out what they are good for. Maybe teach us to avoid blunt force trauma?

          I think our ancestors cracked nuts with their teeth. I think those nerves might help to get that right.