Dental Caries as a Measure of Diet, Health, and Difference in Non-Adults from Urban and Rural Roman Britain

Groote

et al. 2019

Preprint

Caries frequencies in South African fossil hominins were observed and compared with other hominin samples. Species studied include Paranthropus robustus, Homo naledi, Australopithecus africanus, early Homo and A. sediba. Teeth were viewed macroscopically with Micro-CT scans used to confirm lesions. Position and severity of each lesion were also noted and described. For all South African fossil hominin specimens studied, 16 have carious lesions, six of which are described for the first time in this study. These are from a minimum of six individuals, and include four P. robustus, one H. naledi, and one early Homo individual. No carious lesions were found on deciduous teeth, or any teeth assigned to A. africanus. Most are located interproximal, and only posterior teeth are affected. Caries frequency typically ranges between 1-5% of teeth in non-agricultural human samples, and this pattern seemingly holds true for at least the past two million years in the hominin lineage. Non-agricultural populations significantly above or below this threshold generally have a specialized diet, supporting other dietary evidence that A. africanus likely consumed large amounts of tough, non-cariogenic vegetation. Given the common occurrence of caries in the other hominin species, cariogenic bacteria and foods were evidently common in their collective oral environment. Along with recent research highlighting additional examples of caries in H. neanderthalensis, early Homo andPleistocene H. sapiens, caries is clearly an ancient disease that was much more common than once maintained throughout the course of human evolution.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dental caries in human evolution: frequency of carious lesions in South African fossil hominins

Groote

et al. 2019

Preprint

“…As the local pH lowers these bacteria can proliferate, leading to demineralization of dental tissues (Gussy et al, 2006). Foods containing refined carbohydrates and sugars are particularly cariogenic (Rohnbogner & Lewis, 2016); some fruits and nuts, as well as honey, may be as well (Novak, 2015;Humphrey et al, 2014). Conversely, fibrous/tough dietary items, meat and certain plants, among others, inhibit lesion formation (Moynihan, 2000;Rohnbogner & Lewis, 2016;Novak, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Foods containing refined carbohydrates and sugars are particularly cariogenic (Rohnbogner & Lewis, 2016); some fruits and nuts, as well as honey, may be as well (Novak, 2015;Humphrey et al, 2014). Conversely, fibrous/tough dietary items, meat and certain plants, among others, inhibit lesion formation (Moynihan, 2000;Rohnbogner & Lewis, 2016;Novak, 2015). As such, the absence, presence and characteristics of caries can give insight into the diet and food processing behaviours of individuals and groups (Takahashi & Nyvad, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Root caries on aParanthropus robustusthird molar from Drimolen

Riga

et al. 2019

Preprint

ObjectivesDental caries is often perceived as a modern human disease. However, their presence is documented in many early human groups, various non-human primates and, increasingly, our hominin ancestors and relatives. In this study we describe an antemortem lesion on the root of a Paranthropus robustus third molar from Drimolen, South Africa, which likely represents another example of caries in fossil hominins. Materials and MethodsThe molar, DNH 40, is dated to 2.0-1.5 Ma and displays a lesion on the mesial root surface, extending from the cementoenamel junction 3 mm down toward the apex. The position and severity of the lesion was macroscopically recorded and micro-CT scanned to determine the extent of dentine involvement. Results A differential diagnosis indicates root caries, as the lesion is indistinguishable from clinical examples.Although necrotic in appearance, external tertiary dentine is evident on a micro CT scan. Gingival recession and/or continuous eruption of the tooth as a result of extensive occlusal wear would have occurred to facilitate caries formation. Therefore, the lesion is likely linked to relative old age of this individual. DiscussionThis new example increases the total number of carious lesions described in P. robustus teeth to 12, on occlusal, interproximal and, now, root surfaces. Beyond the consumption of caries-causing food(s), caries formation would have also required the presence of requisite intra-oral cariogenic bacteria in this individual and the species. Of interest, the presence of tertiary dentine on the outward surface suggests the DNH 40 lesion may have been arrested, i.e., no longer active, perhaps relating to a change in diet or oral microbiome just prior to the individual's death.

Dental caries in wild primates: Interproximal cavities on anterior teeth

Sabbi

et al. 2021

American J Primatol

Dental caries has been reported in a variety of primates, although it is still considered rare in wild populations. In this study, 11 catarrhine primate taxa (n = 339 individuals; 7946 teeth) were studied for the presence of caries. A differential diagnosis of lesions in interproximal regions of anterior teeth was undertaken, since they had been previously described as both carious and non‐carious in origin. Each permanent tooth was examined macroscopically, with severity and position of lesions recorded. Two specimens were examined further, using micro‐CT scans to assess demineralization. Differential diagnosis confirmed the cariogenic nature of interproximal cavities on anterior teeth (ICATs). Overall results show 3.3% of all teeth (i.e., anterior and posterior teeth combined) were carious (n = 262), with prevalence varying among species from 0% to >7% of teeth affected. Those with the highest prevalence of ICATs include Pan troglodytes verus (9.8% of anterior teeth), Gorilla gorilla gorilla (2.6%), Cercopithecus denti (22.4%), Presbytis femoralis (19.5%), and Cercopithecus mitis (18.3%). ICATs make up 87.9% of carious lesions on anterior teeth. These results likely reflect dietary and food processing differences among species, but also between the sexes (e.g., 9.3% of all female P. troglodytes verus teeth were carious vs. 1.8% in males). Processing cariogenic fruits and seeds with the anterior dentition (e.g., wadging) likely contributes to ICAT formation. Further research is needed in living primate populations to ascertain behavioral/dietary influences on caries occurrence. Given the presence of ICATs in frugivorous primates, their diagnosis in archaeological and paleontological specimens may shed light on diet and food processing behaviors in fossil primates.