Why Are Human Teeth So Messed Up? • Hacker News Board

guilhas wrote: post #3

When I see old human skeletons always wonder how they kept their teeth so good. Without toothpaste, toothbrush or floss. What are we doing wrong?

My driving instructor grew up on a farm in Portugal and claimed that he didn't brush his teeth until he was an adult. Shocked, I asked if he had many dental issues and he claimed that he had none because everything he ate came from the farm.

Re: Why Are Human Teeth So Messed Up?

#17

Post by elchief » Tue, Aug 01, 2017, 3:37 AM UTC

I had to get my front molars and wisdom teeth removed to make room in my jaw (got braces, all good)

Saw the x-ray of my wisdoms. The tops were facing my front teeth, ie 90 degrees rotated

Re: Why Are Human Teeth So Messed Up?

#18

Post by yousifa » Tue, Aug 01, 2017, 3:37 AM UTC

Semi-related: When I was in the canyons of New Mexico learning about various tribes and their lifestyles, I learned that many died from tooth-related infections. This is because the mortars they used were made from softer stone that crumbled in the grinding process (when they grind maize). These tiny pieces of stone essentially ground down their teeth.

If I remember correctly, because of this their average lifespan was just over 30 yrs.

Re: Why Are Human Teeth So Messed Up?

#19

Post by everyone » Tue, Aug 01, 2017, 3:54 AM UTC

yousifa wrote: post #18

Semi-related: When I was in the canyons of New Mexico learning about various tribes and their lifestyles, I learned that many died from tooth-related infections. This is because the mortars they used were made from softer stone that crumbled in the grinding process (when they grind maize). These tiny pieces of stone essentially ground down their teeth. If I remember correctly, because of this their average lifespan w…

Most people using stone grinding wheels throughout history has the same issue, from the beginning of farming up until a couple hundred years ago in Europe say. Archeologists use the amount of wear on a skeletons teeth to determine their age quite accurately.

Re: Why Are Human Teeth So Messed Up?

#20

Post by azakai » Tue, Aug 01, 2017, 3:56 AM UTC

djohnston wrote: post #4

guilhas wrote: post #3

When I see old human skeletons always wonder how they kept their teeth so good. Without toothpaste, toothbrush or floss. What are we doing wrong?

I wonder if sugar's ubiquity has anything to say about this.

They are relevant for cavities, but the article is talking about all the other issues with our teeth, like not being aligned properly. Sugar has nothing to do with those problems, according to the article.