Human ancestors suffered from the same dental issues as us, even if they didn’t drink fizzy drinks or sweets

Dental erosion is among the most prevalent tooth-related issues across the globe. Fruit juice, fizzy drinks, wine, as well as other beverages that contain acid are often the culprits; however, the method we brush our teeth can play in the process. This makes it a fairly modern problem. However, research suggests that human beings have suffered from tooth loss for thousands of years.

My colleagues and I have discovered dental lesions that are remarkably similar to those caused by erosion in modern times on two 2.5 m-year-old front teeth that belong to the same group of extinct ancestors. This confirms that prehistoric human beings and their predecessors had similar dental issues to us, even though we had distinct diets.

Dentin erosion could affect any dental tissues and usually results in small, shiny dental lesions on the enamel as well as the surface of the root. If you scrub your teeth too vigorously, you may weaken your dental tissue that, over time, can allow beverages and acidic foods to cause deep holes, referred to as cervical non-carious lesions (NCCLs).

Australopithecus africanus teeth with lesion. Ian Towle, the Author, provided

The answer could lead to an unproven connection. The erosive wear of today is typically coupled with aggressive toothbrushing. Australopithecus africanus likely suffered similar dental abrasions from eating fibrous and tough foods. In order for lesions to develop in the first place, they required a diet that was rich in acidic food. Instead of fizzy beverages, it could have come in as citrus fruit or sour vegetables. For instance, tubers (potatoes and similar) are hard to digest, and some are surprisingly acidic, and they may be the reason behind the lesions.

Dental erosion is very uncommon in fossil records; however, this could be due to the fact that researchers haven’t considered seeking evidence for it prior to now. Another type of problem known as carious lesions, or cavities, has been discovered frequently in fossilized teeth.

Lesions of the mandibular right premolar and the first molar. Homo naledi (UW 101-001). Ian Towle

Cavities are among the most common toothache-causing factors today. They can be caused by eating sweet or starchy foods and drinks, including grains. They are typically thought of as a relatively recent issue due to the invention of agriculture bringing large quantities of carbohydrates as well as more recently refined sugars to our diets.

But new research suggests it’s not true. Indeed, cavities are now being discovered on tooth bones from virtually all hominins from the prehistoric period examined. They are most likely the result of eating certain plants, fru, its, and honey. The lesions are usually serious, such as in the case of tooth decay found within the dental teeth that belong to Homo naledi, a new animal species, Homo naledi. These cavities were deep enough that they took a long time to form and would definitely have resulted in a serious toothache.

Dental abrasion

Another form of noticeable dental wear is prevalent in the fossil record, and we can figure out what caused it and how it came about through the teeth of people living today. The process, also known as dental abrasion, is caused by repeatedly pushing or holding a tough object against the tooth. It can be caused by cutting nails sm, smoking cigarettes, or even putting a needle in your tooth. The process usually takes many years to create distinct grooves and notches; therefore, when we discover gaps in the teeth of fossilized animals, they can provide interesting insights into how people live and the culture they inhabit.