Their bite looks impressive, but they don't use it at all in the hunt. They don't open their mouths wide when they roar, and only use their canines to cut he jugular after the prey is caught.

[The smilodon sniffs the meat, looking thin and scrawny, but the saberteeth are clear and obvious even from here.]

They only seem to use them otherwise for chewing, and they're wasteful eaters. This would imply that really...

[The little tiger bites into the meat. Unfortunately, it's not a normal slab and is instead filled with thick bone. There's a crunch, and both canines break off.]

...their teeth are quite fragile. Especially in the malnourished ones.