She is also a clinical instructor at University of Pacific School of Dentistry and an editor for Dentistry On-Line. You are correct. We use our teeth primarily for breaking down food into smaller pieces that are easier to digest. Our teeth and salivary glands are the first part of our amazing digestive system. Some foolish people have tried unsuccessfully to use their teeth for other purposes like opening cans and crushing ice cubes.
Many animals also use their teeth as tools.
For example, a Walrus uses tusks to pull its large body out of the water onto ice flows. Members of the cat family use their teeth to carry their young from place to place. Teeth can also be used in defense and protection. Dog's will bite if provoked and venomous snakes use their hollow fangs to inject poison. Some fish use their mouth and relatively small teeth to protect their young until they are larger and fast enough to avoid being eaten by predators.