Lifestyle changes and its effect towards the evolution of human dentition

Abstract

Background The dentition of modern humans has evolved from their hominid ancestors to their current form. Factors regarding the changes of lifestyle such as dietary habits and usage of tools have affected the evolution of human dentition. This article aimed to discuss the effect of dietary changes on the evolution of human teeth. An online literature search in the PubMed database was conducted according to the inclusion criteria of this study. Main body The culture transition from a hunter-gatherer society to agriculture is followed by dietary changes, which result in a decrease of tooth wear due to more refined food sources in agricultural intensification. By analyzing the microwear pattern such as shear, striation, and pattern of the buccal teeth, the dietary hypothesis based on the occlusal tooth microwear analysis could be examined. Conclusion The dietary hypothesis based on the occlusal tooth microwear study could be tested by analyzing the microwear pattern (shear, striation, pattern) of the buccal teeth. Posterior teeth are more closely related to diet, while anterior teeth are related to non-dietary tooth-use behaviors, or using the teeth as a tool or third hand which causes more limited striations at the labial surface.

Evolutionary Origins of Toothache

“…The need for carnivorous adaptations such as large canines and strong jaws gradually decreased as humans invented stone tools that replaced sharp teeth [36]. Stone tools helped our ancestors in abandoning carnivorous adaptations, and these tools began to replace sharp incisors, large canines, and strong jaws as carnivore teeth [12]. The invention of pottery was another significant technological advancement that influenced human tooth size.…”

“…Thus, the human diet today contains more meat than that of our ancestors [38]. The selective disadvantages of tooth loss have now been eliminated because of over processed foods and dentists [12].…”

“…Wisdom teeth try to erupt in an insufficient space, rotate in the jawbone, and compress the roots of other teeth [67]. Apart from being painful, it displaces other teeth, can cause nerve damage, and, in the pre-antibiotic era, could lead to serious infections that could be life-threatening [12]. Human beings have not had a problem with wisdom teeth for millions of years, but the diversification of food preparation techniques has disrupted the ancient system in which genes and mechanical chewing load interacted to make teeth and jaw grow together harmoniously [68].…”

“…Environmental, cultural, and possibly evolutionary factors are responsible for this reduction [11]. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors subsisted on wild grains and raw meat had larger and stronger teeth, which they used to tear meat and crack the shell of nuts [12,13]. However, evolution has so badly "designed" our heads that there is no longer enough room in our jaws for our teeth [14].…”

The impact of chewing betel nuts on human dentition in Indonesia: A literature review

“…Teeth may undergo alterations over time due to their close contact with food, objects, and the opposing set of teeth. 10 This tradition entered Indonesia many years ago. Zambroich 11 stated that chewing betel nuts is a 13,000-year-old tradition that originated in Southeast Asia.…”