Ancient Teeth Discovery Sheds Light on Historical Dietary Changes and Oral Health

Researchers analyzing 4,000-year-old teeth from Bronze Age Ireland uncover insights into the evolution of oral bacteria and the impact of diet on oral health.

Two 4,000-year-old teeth found in Ireland reveal significant amounts of bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, offering new insights into ancient oral health.
The presence of Streptococcus mutans and Tannerella forsythia in the ancient teeth suggests a more diverse ancient microbiome compared to today's.
Genetic analysis indicates that dietary changes, particularly the increased consumption of sugar in recent centuries, have significantly impacted oral microbiome diversity and health.
The discovery challenges previous understandings of oral bacteria evolution, showing more complex evolutionary trees and gene changes over time.
This research underlines the importance of studying ancient microbiomes to better understand the relationship between diet, oral health, and overall human health.