‘One tooth one child’: evaluating the effects of diet and fertility on the oral health of women from archaeological sites in South America

Abstract

Women from ancient societies have shown a higher prevalence of dental caries in comparison with men. Recent research has shown that the relationship between increased oestrogen production during pregnancy and decreased salivary flow is a possible cause for the higher levels of caries in women, which is in contrast to the traditional view of sexual division of labour resulting in unequal access to cariogenic food. In order to test these two hypotheses, individuals exhumed from 12 South American archaeological sites were examined for markers of oral health (caries, ante mortem tooth loss, deep caries, and enamel hypoplasia) and compared in terms of fertility (Crude Birth Rate) and subsistence systems. Our results suggest that diet and other cultural practices remain the most important factors affecting oral health and that the effects of hormones can be masked by them. Such findings add to the discussion regarding the availability of micronutrients in such societies affecting caries experience in pregnant women, because of their special nutritional requirements.

Sex differences in age‐related bone loss and antemortem tooth loss in East‐Central Arizona (AD 1200–1450)

“…Other hormonal changes associated with female reproductive biology can impact bone loss and oral health (Carvalho et al, 2019;Lukacs, 2008;Lukacs & Largaespada, 2006). These fluctuations may affect saliva flow, pH, or periodontitis, all of which can contribute to AMTL (Lukacs & Largaespada, 2006).…”

“…The lack of significance, however, may suggest that rather than AMTL resulting from age‐related alveolar bone loss, a reduction in BMD may be a secondary effect of a larger cause also contributing to tooth loss. Other hormonal changes associated with female reproductive biology can impact bone loss and oral health (Carvalho et al, 2019; Lukacs, 2008; Lukacs & Largaespada, 2006). These fluctuations may affect saliva flow, pH, or periodontitis, all of which can contribute to AMTL (Lukacs & Largaespada, 2006).…”