Evolutionary Origins of Toothache

Abstract

One of the traits that make modern humans unique is chin; this protrusion of the mandible is not seen in any other hominid species. There are numerous reasons for this evolutionary leap such as bipedalism, speech, development of tools and pottery, use of fire and cooking, and agricultural revolution. As for our teeth, they are still having trouble to match with our jaw which is still forming. Dentist interventions are the most recent addition to these factors, which have resulted in the continuous shrinking of our teeth and negated selection pressures; one could say that the evolutionary pressures on our jaw, chin, and teeth are no longer at work.