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The Impact of Ancient Teeth on Understanding Diet Changes
In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Trinity College Dublin, genetic secrets from 4,000-year-old teeth have shed light on the impact of changing human diets over the centuries. The teeth, remarkably preserved and found in an Irish limestone cave, belonged to the same male individual and provided valuable insights into the oral health and microbiomes of ancient populations.
Oral Microenvironment Changes Over Time
Through genetic analyses of the microbiomes extracted from the ancient teeth, researchers uncovered significant changes in the oral microenvironment from the Bronze Age to the present day. The study, published in Molecular Biology and Evolution and carried out in collaboration with archaeologists from the Atlantic Technological University and University of Edinburgh, identified key bacteria associated with gum disease and provided the first high-quality ancient genome of Streptococcus mutans, a major contributor to tooth decay.
Ancient Teeth and the Evolution of Oral Health
The findings from the study highlighted the rarity of S. mutans in ancient oral microbiomes, possibly due to its acid-producing nature that hinders DNA preservation and fossilization of plaque. The introduction of cereal agriculture thousands of years ago led to an increase in dental cavities, but the most dramatic surge occurred in the past few hundred years with the widespread consumption of sugary foods. The sampled teeth, part of a larger skeletal assemblage from Killuragh Cave, revealed advanced dental decay in other teeth but lacked visible cavities. However, an abundance of S. mutans DNA in one tooth indicated a high risk of cavities for the individual.
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Modern Diet and Oral Microbiome Diversity
The study also supported the “disappearing microbiome” hypothesis, suggesting that modern microbiomes are less diverse compared to those of our ancestors. The researchers found highly divergent strains of Tannerella forsythia, a bacteria linked to gum disease, in the Bronze Age teeth. The evolution of disease-causing bacteria like T. forsythia and S. mutans has been influenced by recent cultural transitions, particularly during the industrial era with increased sugar consumption. While modern S. mutans populations remain diverse, recent lineage expansions and genetic changes related to pathogenicity have been observed, highlighting the impact of diet on oral health evolution.
The analysis of ancient teeth provides a window into the past, offering valuable insights into how human diets have evolved and impacted oral health over millennia. By studying the genetic secrets preserved in ancient microbiomes, researchers can better understand the complex interplay between diet, oral microbiota, and disease development, ultimately informing modern approaches to oral health and diet management.
Links to additional Resources:
1. www.tcd.ie 2. www.nature.com 3. www.sciencemag.org.Related Wikipedia Articles
Topics: Ancient DNA, Oral Microbiome, Dental CavitiesAncient DNA
Ancient DNA (aDNA) is DNA isolated from ancient specimens. Due to degradation processes (including cross-linking, deamination and fragmentation) ancient DNA is more degraded in comparison with contemporary genetic material. Even under the best preservation conditions, there is an upper boundary of 0.4–1.5 million years for a sample to contain sufficient...
Read more: Ancient DNA
Human microbiome
The human microbiome is the aggregate of all microbiota that reside on or within human tissues and biofluids along with the corresponding anatomical sites in which they reside, including the skin, mammary glands, seminal fluid, uterus, ovarian follicles, lung, saliva, oral mucosa, conjunctiva, biliary tract, and gastrointestinal tract. Types of...
Read more: Human microbiome
Tooth decay
Tooth decay, also known as cavities or caries, is the breakdown of teeth due to acids produced by bacteria. The cavities may be a number of different colors from yellow to black. Symptoms may include pain and difficulty with eating. Complications may include inflammation of the tissue around the tooth,...
Read more: Tooth decay
Maya Richardson is a software engineer with a fascination for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). She has developed several AI applications and enjoys exploring the ethical implications and future possibilities of these technologies. Always on the lookout for articles about cutting-edge developments and breakthroughs in AI and ML, Maya seeks to keep herself updated and to gain an in-depth understanding of these fields.