The common image of early humans often includes a set of perfectly healthy teeth, a stark contrast to the dental woes many face today. This idea stems from the fact that their diets were free of processed sugars. Fossilized teeth, however, tell a more complex story. These ancient dental records serve as a direct window into the lives, diets, and overall health of our ancestors.
The Dental Toolkit of Early Humans
Early human skulls reveal a dental and jaw structure quite different from our own. Their jaws were larger and more robust, built to handle a tough, abrasive diet. This ample space meant that all 32 teeth, including wisdom teeth, could emerge without the common issue of impaction that plagues modern populations. The teeth themselves were also larger, particularly the molars, which presented a broad surface area for grinding coarse foods.
These powerful jaws and large teeth were coated in a layer of enamel that was considerably thicker than what is found on modern human teeth. This thickness provided a durable defense against the intense wear and tear their teeth experienced daily. This entire dental apparatus was a product of evolutionary adaptation, perfectly suited for the mechanical challenges of their environment.
Diet and Dental Wear
The diet of early humans was the primary cause of lifelong dental wear. Their food included tough, fibrous plants, uncooked meat, and a considerable amount of grit and sand from their environment. This abrasive mixture acted like sandpaper, steadily grinding down the chewing surfaces of their teeth. Over a lifetime, it was common for the cusps of their molars to be worn completely flat, a condition known as dental attrition.
Beyond chewing, early humans used their teeth as a versatile tool, a “third hand” for various tasks like gripping animal hides, softening leather, or processing plant fibers. These activities left distinct marks on their teeth, such as chipping, grooves, and specific wear patterns that archaeologists can analyze. This tool use accelerated the wear that resulted from their diet.
The Surprising Truth About Prehistoric Dental Health
While dental cavities were much less common in prehistoric populations, their teeth were far from perfect. The rarity of cavities, or dental caries, can be attributed to a diet lacking the processed sugars and fermentable carbohydrates that fuel cavity-causing bacteria. Despite the low rate of decay, early humans suffered from other serious dental ailments.
The severe wear on their teeth often exposed the sensitive inner pulp, leading to painful infections and abscesses at the root of the tooth. Evidence of gum disease, or periodontitis, is also found in ancient skulls. Analysis of hardened dental plaque, known as calculus, from prehistoric skeletons has provided direct evidence of the oral bacteria present and the inflammatory responses associated with these conditions.
Why Modern Teeth Are Different
Modern dental health is a result of major dietary shifts that began with the agricultural revolution and accelerated with industrialization. The modern diet, rich in soft, processed foods, refined sugars, and carbohydrates, created new challenges for our teeth. This change in diet reduced the prevalence of heavy wear but dramatically increased the incidence of cavities, as sugar-loving bacteria like Streptococcus mutans flourished.
This dietary change also had a profound impact on our facial structure. With less need for powerful chewing, human jaws began to shrink over evolutionary time, but our teeth did not shrink at the same rate. This created a fundamental mismatch between tooth size and the space available in our jaws. This disparity is the root cause of many modern dental problems, including crowded, misaligned teeth and the frequent impaction of wisdom teeth.