If Our Ancestors Had Healthy Teeth Without Brushing, Why Is Oral Hygiene So Important Today?

It’s a question that often pops into our minds during our daily oral hygiene routine: if our ancestors didn’t have toothbrushes, toothpaste, or floss, how did they manage to maintain their teeth? The allure of a simpler past, free from the perceived chore of brushing and flossing, is strong. However, the notion that ancient people universally enjoyed perfect teeth without any effort is a misconception. This article will delve into the historical reality of oral hygiene, exploring the ingenious methods our ancestors employed, the profound impact of the evolving human diet, and ultimately, why modern oral hygiene practices are not just recommended but essential for preserving our dental health in the 21st century.

1. The Myth of Perfect Ancient Teeth:

The image of our ancestors flashing flawless smiles is largely a romanticized one. While it’s true that hunter-gatherers often had relatively good teeth, this was primarily a consequence of their natural, unprocessed diet. Their meals consisted mainly of meat and fibrous plants, resulting in a low-carb diet. These fibrous foods acted like natural toothbrushes, helping to scrub away food particles as they were eaten. Furthermore, their diets contained limited amounts of sugars and starches, the primary culprits behind plaque buildup and tooth decay.

However, with the advent of the agricultural revolution, the human diet underwent a significant shift towards more grain-based foods. This change brought about an increase in the consumption of carbohydrates, which, unlike the foods hunter-gatherers consumed, were stickier and provided a feast for bacteria in the mouth. Consequently, plaque buildup and tooth decay became more prevalent. Evidence suggests that gum disease also became more widespread during this period. Archaeological findings even reveal instances of tooth decay in ancient remains, such as those of ancient Egyptians, indicating that they were not immune to dental problems. Therefore, the idea that our ancestors had universally healthy teeth without any need for oral care is inaccurate.

2. Ingenious Ancient Oral Hygiene Practices:

Despite lacking modern dental tools, our ancestors were far from passive when it came to their oral health. They devised a variety of ingenious methods for cleaning their teeth.

• Chew sticks: One of the earliest and most widespread methods was the use of chew sticks. These were thin twigs frayed at one end, used like a brush to clean the tooth surfaces. Evidence of chew sticks dates back to ancient Egyptians around 7,000 years ago. These sticks were often sourced from trees with natural cleansing and antibacterial properties. The practice of using chew sticks still exists in various cultures globally.
• Toothpicks: Toothpicks have been discovered in Mesopotamia dating back to 3000 BCE, indicating their early use for removing food particles. Early toothpicks were made from materials like wood, bone, and ivory.
• Dental creams and powders: Ancient civilizations also developed early forms of toothpaste. Ancient Egyptians (3000-5000 BCE) created a dental cream using ingredients such as powdered ashes from oxen hooves, myrrh, eggshells, and pumice. The Romans, and others, utilized dentifrice powder made from a variety of ground substances, including bones, horns, eggshells, and oyster shells. Indigenous tribes in America also utilized the natural resources around them, crushing herbs like sage, mint, thyme, and myrrh to create cleansing pastes.
• Mouthwash: Early forms of mouthwash also existed. Indigenous tribes, for instance, would boil herbs like gold thread to create a liquid for rinsing the mouth.
• Dental Scrapers: An Arabian surgeon in the period of 936-1013 CE even wrote about the formation of tartar and designed a set of scrapers to clean the teeth.

These examples demonstrate that while our ancestors didn’t have the same tools we do today, they recognized the importance of keeping their mouths clean and developed practical solutions based on the resources available to them.

3. The Pivotal Shift: Diet and Its Impact on Oral Health:

The trajectory of human oral health took a significant turn with the evolution of the human diet. As mentioned earlier, the hunter-gatherer diet, rich in naturally cleansing fibrous foods and low in decay-causing sugars and starches, was conducive to better dental health.

The agricultural revolution, however, ushered in an era of increased consumption of grain-based foods and other carbohydrates. These foods, often stickier than those in the hunter-gatherer diet, tended to adhere to teeth, providing a readily available food source for harmful oral bacteria. This led to a rise in cavities and gum disease.

The Industrial Revolution further exacerbated these issues with the widespread introduction of processed flour and sugar into the human diet. The democratization of sugar, making it affordable and readily available across social classes, resulted in widespread dental decay. Modern diets continue this trend, often being excessively high in added sugar and processed carbohydrates, posing a significant challenge to our oral health. A study published in Nature Genetics even showed that as diets changed over time, so did the composition of oral bacteria, with disease-causing bacteria becoming stronger and more prevalent.

4. Why Ancient Methods Aren’t Enough Today:

While understanding and appreciating the oral hygiene practices of our ancestors is valuable, relying solely on these methods is insufficient for maintaining optimal dental health in the modern era. Several key factors contribute to this:

• Longer Human Lifespan: Perhaps the most significant difference is the dramatically longer human lifespan today. According to research, cavemen were only living up to around age 30, whereas today, the average life expectancy is closer to 80. This means our teeth need to last for a much more extended period, necessitating more proactive and effective care.
• Prevalence of Sugars and Starches: Despite some experts recommending cutting out processed carbs, this isn’t always realistic or necessarily healthy. The reality is that sugars and starches are pervasive in modern diets, making consistent and thorough plaque control crucial.
• Evolutionary Changes: Modern humans tend to have smaller jaws, leading to issues like wisdom teeth impaction. These evolutionary changes can also affect overall dental health and the alignment of our teeth, making thorough cleaning more important.
• Shift in Goals: In ancient times, the primary goal was survival. Today, we not only aim to survive but to thrive and maintain long-term health and quality of life, which includes preserving our natural teeth for as long as possible.

Therefore, while our ancestors’ methods were effective within the context of their lives, they are not equipped to combat the challenges posed by modern diets and our extended lifespans.

5. The Evolution of Modern Oral Hygiene Tools:

Recognizing the need for more effective oral hygiene, humans have continuously innovated. The development of modern dental hygiene tools represents a significant leap forward:

• Toothbrushes: The precursor to the modern toothbrush was likely the frayed twig, but the first bristle toothbrush is believed to have been invented in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), featuring handles of bamboo or bone and bristles made from boar’s hairs. William Addis, an Englishman, is credited as the first to mass-produce toothbrushes around 1780. In 1857, H. N. Wadsworth received the first U.S. patent for a toothbrush. The introduction of nylon bristles in 1938 was another significant advancement. Later, in 1937, the first patent for an electric toothbrush was filed, with the first commercially successful model appearing in the 1950s.
• Toothpaste: As mentioned, early forms of toothpaste were powders and creams. Toothpaste in a squeezable tube is credited to a Connecticut dentist, Washington Wentworth Sheffield, in the 1880s. Before then, it was commonly sold in bottles, pots, or paper boxes. A major breakthrough came in 1955 with the launch of the first toothpaste to contain fluoride, which has been proven effective in reducing cavities.
• Dental Floss: The importance of cleaning between teeth was recognized by the American dentist Levi Spear Parmly, who in 1819 recommended using “waxed silken thread”. By the end of the 19th century, commercially manufactured dental floss became available, eventually being largely replaced by nylon floss in the 1940s. The late 1950s saw the introduction of water flossers or oral irrigators.

These innovations have provided us with effective tools to combat plaque and maintain oral health in the face of modern dietary challenges.

6. The Importance of Modern Oral Hygiene Practices:

Today, a consistent oral hygiene routine is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. This typically involves:

• Brushing with fluoride toothpaste: Brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste helps to remove plaque and food debris from the tooth surfaces. Fluoride is essential as it strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks caused by plaque bacteria, thus preventing cavities.
• Flossing: Flossing daily is vital for removing plaque and food particles from between the teeth and along the gum line, areas where a toothbrush cannot effectively reach. This helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can start in these interdental spaces.
• Balanced Diet: Maintaining a balanced diet that limits sugars and starches is also crucial. Incorporating fibrous foods like fresh fruits and vegetables can also aid in naturally cleaning teeth.
• Regular Dental Checkups: While not a self-care practice, regular visits to the dentist for checkups and professional cleanings are essential for early detection and prevention of dental problems.

The effectiveness of these modern practices is evident in the significant reduction of complete tooth loss. In 1960, 49 percent of Americans could expect to lose all their teeth during their lifetime. By 2010, that figure had dropped to just 13 percent, despite a nearly 10-year rise in average life expectancy. This remarkable improvement underscores the impact of better self-care combined with advances in professional dental care and fluoridation.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while our ancestors developed ingenious methods to care for their teeth within the constraints of their diets and lifespans, the modern world presents a different set of challenges. Our evolved diets, rich in sugars and starches, coupled with significantly longer lifespans, necessitate a more comprehensive and proactive approach to oral hygiene. Modern tools like fluoride toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss, combined with a conscious effort to limit sugary and starchy foods, are essential for effectively combating tooth decay, gum disease, and ultimately, preserving our teeth for a lifetime. By embracing modern dental care and maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine, we can aim for healthy smiles that last for decades, a stark contrast to the dental struggles faced by even our most resourceful ancestors.

FAQ

Here is a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions and answers related to why modern oral hygiene is important even though our ancestors didn’t always practice it in the same way:

• Why did ancient humans often have healthier teeth than people in some later periods? Ancient hunter-gatherer diets were mainly composed of fibrous foods, meat, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, which were low in sugars and processed carbohydrates. These foods naturally helped to clean teeth as they were eaten and didn’t provide as much fuel for decay-causing bacteria.
• Did ancient humans brush their teeth? If not with modern toothbrushes, how did they clean their teeth? Ancient and pre-modern people did not have modern toothbrushes and toothpaste but employed various methods for cleaning their teeth. These included:
  • Chew sticks: Thin twigs frayed at one end, serving as a rudimentary toothbrush. The earliest evidence suggests their use by Babylonians and Egyptians around 3000 BCE.
  • Toothpicks: Made from wood, bone, ivory, or quills to remove food particles. Toothpicks dating back to 3000 BCE have been found in Mesopotamia.
  • Abrasive powders: Made from crushed bones, horns, eggshells, oyster shells, brick dust, and charcoal to scrub teeth.
  • Herbal remedies: Crushed herbs like sage, mint, thyme, and myrrh mixed with water to create cleansing pastes.
  • Mouthwashes: Created by boiling specific plants like gold thread.
• How did the development of agriculture and the introduction of sugar impact oral health throughout history? The advent of agriculture led to a greater reliance on grain-based foods rich in carbohydrates, which provided more fuel for oral bacteria, resulting in increased plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease compared to the hunter-gatherer era. The subsequent widespread availability of sugar dramatically accelerated bacterial growth and acid production, leading to widespread tooth decay across all social classes.
• If our ancestors didn’t always brush their teeth, why is modern dental hygiene (brushing, flossing, professional cleanings) considered necessary today? Modern dental hygiene is necessary due to several factors:
  • Our modern diets are significantly higher in sugars and processed carbohydrates, promoting rapid plaque and tartar buildup.
  • Humans today have much longer lifespans than our ancestors, meaning we need our teeth to last for many more decades.
  • Evolutionary changes have led to smaller jaws in modern humans, often causing issues like impacted wisdom teeth and potentially increasing susceptibility to overcrowding and plaque accumulation.
  • Modern goals extend beyond survival to include thriving and maintaining long-term health, including oral health.
• Were all ancient oral hygiene practices beneficial? No, historical dental practices sometimes involved abrasive and potentially damaging substances. Using brick dust, crushed bone, and soot could lead to excessive wear of enamel and gum recession. Some 18th-century recommendations even advised against brushing, suggesting toothpicks or sponges soaked in brandy mixed with water.
• Have any ancient oral hygiene methods persisted or been rediscovered in modern times? Yes, several ancient methods are still relevant:
  • Chew sticks, such as the miswak derived from the Salvadora persica tree, continue to be used in many cultures. Modern research has validated its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. The World Health Organization recommends its use.
  • The concept of using herbs for oral cleansing has parallels in modern fluoride-free toothpastes that incorporate plant-based ingredients.
• When and where did the toothbrush and toothpaste as we know them originate? The earliest form of the toothbrush is believed to have originated around 3000 BCE with frayed twigs used by Babylonians and Egyptians. A more direct ancestor with a handle and boar’s hair bristles appeared in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.). Toothpaste-like substances date back even further, with ancient Egyptians (3000-5000 BCE) creating a dental cream. Toothpaste in a squeezable tube is credited to Washington Wentworth Sheffield, a dentist in Connecticut in the 1880s. The first fluoride toothpaste was introduced by Crest in 1955.
• How have our diets changed so significantly that it impacts our need for oral hygiene? Early human diets were low-carb, consisting mainly of meat. With the development of farming, diets shifted to be more grain-based, leading to more acid production in the mouth. Modern diets are characterized by a high intake of processed treats, sweets, sodas, and baked goods, all of which contain significant amounts of sugars and starches that fuel harmful oral bacteria.
• Can we learn anything from the oral hygiene practices of our ancestors to improve our dental health today? Yes, we can learn valuable insights:
  • Their emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods, particularly fibrous fruits and vegetables, highlights the importance of diet.
  • Limiting sugary and starchy foods, as their early diets naturally did, is a key recommendation today.
  • The continued use of natural cleaning tools like chew sticks underscores the potential benefits of simple, natural methods. Modern research validating these practices encourages a re-evaluation of natural and sustainable approaches to oral care. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables can act like natural toothbrushes. Drinking plenty of water is also beneficial.
• Why were bad teeth sometimes considered fashionable in the past? In the 17th and 18th centuries, sugar and rich foods were more available to the wealthy, leading them to often have worse teeth than the poor. As a result, bad teeth became associated with nobility and ended up being quite fashionable for a period.
• Did ancient people always have bad teeth if they didn’t brush like we do? No, while some ancient populations had good oral health due to diet, remains of early humans also show evidence of tooth decay and bone loss. For example, ancient Egyptians had high decay rates. This indicates that even without modern brushing, they were not immune to dental problems.
• What evidence suggests that ancient people understood the importance of oral hygiene? The fact that early civilizations developed and used various methods to clean their teeth, such as chew sticks, toothpicks, and early forms of toothpaste and mouthwash, indicates that they recognized the importance of removing debris and maintaining oral cleanliness.
• How have dental tools and techniques evolved over time? Dental hygiene tools have evolved from simple chew sticks and toothpicks to the modern toothbrush with nylon bristles and electric power, as well as fluoride toothpaste in convenient tubes. The understanding of oral health has also progressed from theories of “tooth-worms” to the recognition of bacteria-breeding plaque. Dental floss and water flossers were later innovations to clean between teeth. Professional dentistry has also advanced significantly from barbers pulling teeth to specialized dental care.