All articles tagged with #ancient teeth
Originally Published 2 months ago — by Ars Technica
A study found evidence of lead exposure in the teeth of hominins dating back nearly 2 million years, suggesting that lead poisoning is an ancient issue that may have influenced human evolution, with environmental sources like natural minerals and wildfires contributing to exposure.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN
Two 4,000-year-old teeth discovered in Ireland contained an abundance of cavity-causing bacteria, shedding light on the impact of changes in the human diet on oral health. The presence of Streptococcus mutans, rare in ancient teeth due to its acid-producing nature, suggests a connection between dietary changes and tooth decay. Analysis of the ancient bacteria's traits and comparison to modern samples revealed its evolution alongside changes in human diet, particularly the popularization of sugar and cereal grains. The findings highlight the impact of dietary change on oral health and provide insight into the evolution of the human oral microbiota.