Why are modern humans so prone to dental Problems?

While ancient humans possessed teeth that could bite into raw meet, we, the modern species, cannot do without a good number of visits to dentist in our schedule. Could it mean that the tremendous advancements we have made in dentistry in recent times do not really stand in good stead when it comes up against our poor dental system? What exactly are our super specialty tooth-pastes and tooth care products doing?

1. Evolution of cooking and processed food items

Gum disease and tooth decay are more common now than in the centuries gone by. Would it be safe to say that the absence of raw meat in our diet is what causes these maladies? Also, the ancient people had not taken to cooking in a big way, if at all. So, they essentially had to survive on fruits and vegetables, meat and nuts of the wild. We, on the other hand, live permanently in a given place and do not normally eat anything without cooking. As a result, a major portion of our diet consists of sugars and carbohydrates. Processed foods which are eaten as a matter of routine in the present times are more harmful than one and do some significant damage to our dental system.

2. Decreasing Nutrition in present day farm products

The various bacteria that were purportedly present in the dental makeup of the primitives were of diverse varieties. When man took to settling at a given place to live forever thereafter in the same place, he started living in a social set up. Mass produced vegetables, pulses and meat produced in cattle farms that had become his diet tended to contain lesser or even negligible nourishment than the naturally grown or acquired product.

3. Industrial Revolution’s hand in evolved eating habits

Industrial revolution that originated a couple of centuries ago did not help man’s teeth in anyway. Factories shelled out processed food containing sugars and carbohydrates. The variety of food and derivatives got thus successfully pushed out the traditionally present bacteria.  The new ones that took their place were adept at processing the new food; it is remarkable that these bacteria were not to be found in the primitive peoples’ mouth when extensive examinations were conducted on them.  Less the bacteria, more the incidence of tooth decay!

Dehydration adversely affects many parts of the body. Many people do not realize that they are starving the dental system by not having enough lubrication, so to speak, inside the mouth. Free movement of water in a wash inside the mouth at regular intervals should keep the teeth clean and clear off the cavity-causing residue of food items.

4. The Paleo Diet

Photo: PositiveMed

People often wonder why after they had religiously followed the strict regime of brushing twice a day, regularly flossing and making it a point to visit a dentist, they develop some or other oral problems. What they do not realize is that they are not taking care about what they eat. If one resolutely takes to what is called a paleo diet wherein the food mainly consists of whole grains and raw food, there will be a marked improvement in the dentures.  It is surely difficult to get used to but if you persist, you can get over the initial hiccup and a smooth transition can take place.

It should be readily accepted what is good for goose is not always good for gander. There could very well be some who would rather shun the paleo diet and stick to the traditional cereal, sweet and pasta diet. A judicial mix of the traditional and paleo diet should be the ideal way to keep the teeth in a reasonably good shape.

Shiela Kurdinger writes about carpentry and reviews various jet tablesaw products. She also has a knack for art and tries to inculcate pictorial representations to her contents.