Why do we have crooked teeth when our ancestors didn’t? - G. Richard Scott

Recent questions

• How has diet and lifestyle impacted dental health over time?

  The evolution of human skulls shows that straight teeth and wisdom teeth were common in ancient times, indicating that dental issues like crooked teeth and impacted wisdom teeth are recent developments. Changes in diet and lifestyle, particularly the shift from subsistence to farming and industrialization, have led to decreased jaw size and increased tooth crowding. This shift in food processing has potentially caused dental issues like impacted wisdom teeth due to changes in chewing patterns and diet composition.

• What role does diet play in dental health?

  Studies on squirrel monkeys and hyraxes suggest that diet plays a significant role in dental health. Softer diets have been linked to more dental crowding and impacted teeth. This highlights the environmental impact on dental issues, emphasizing that diet can have a substantial influence on oral health outcomes. The findings suggest that dietary changes over time have contributed to the prevalence of dental issues like impacted wisdom teeth in modern populations.

• How have changes in food processing affected dental health?

  Changes in food processing over time have had a significant impact on dental health. The shift from a subsistence lifestyle to farming and industrialization has led to alterations in diet composition and chewing patterns. These changes have resulted in decreased jaw size and increased tooth crowding, potentially causing dental issues like impacted wisdom teeth. The findings suggest that modern dental problems may be attributed to changes in food processing methods and dietary habits over time.

• What do ancient human skulls reveal about dental health?

  Ancient human skulls show that straight teeth and wisdom teeth were common in the past, indicating that dental issues like crooked teeth and impacted wisdom teeth are recent developments. The presence of straight teeth in ancient skulls suggests that changes in diet and lifestyle over time have contributed to the prevalence of dental issues in modern populations. This highlights the impact of environmental factors on dental health outcomes and the potential role of diet in shaping oral health.

• How do genetic factors and environmental influences affect dental health?

  Studies on squirrel monkeys and hyraxes suggest that environmental factors, particularly diet, play a significant role in dental health. Softer diets have been linked to more dental crowding and impacted teeth, indicating that environmental influences can impact oral health outcomes. While genetic factors may also play a role in dental issues, the findings emphasize the importance of considering environmental factors, such as diet and lifestyle changes, in understanding the prevalence of dental problems like impacted wisdom teeth in modern populations.