The Human History of Dental Development

Did you know that your teeth can reveal a lot about your life? There are many factors that shape them including your age, gender, diet, lifestyle, and whether or not you practice preventative dental care.

In fact, so much information can be gleaned from examining teeth that scientists and archaeologists can piece together a more complete picture of our genetic history. Because they contain such a high mineral content, they don’t decay at the same rate as human bone. That means they last longer and sometimes are all that we have left to study to learn about the people they belonged to. Keep reading to learn more about how our ancient ancestors’ mouths differed from modern humans today!

Mandible Modifications

You might be surprised to learn that our earliest ancestors had skulls that were shaped quite differently from ours, due in large part to their teeth. 7 million years ago, our ancestors had elongated jaws that jutted out, and no chin to speak of. Since then, jaws sizes gradually shrank as teeth became smaller to accommodate additional food sources. The jawbones of contemporary humans are so small now that our furthest molars, or wisdom teeth, often don’t even have enough room to grow in properly!

Toothy Transitions

Compared to modern humans, our ancestors had much larger and differently shaped teeth.  Their incisors were so big that their jaws included diastema, or gaps, so that their mouths could close over them, for example. Archaeologists have conjectured that their fangs shortened and grew tougher enamel over the millennia to accommodate for eating more plant-based foods like nuts and seeds.

Enamel Expressions

Are you aware that your tooth enamel can reveal your age? There’s an initial neonatal line which forms on the first molar at birth that is only visible through a microscope. After that, enamel lines form daily just like tree rings which can then be counted. Using this, scientists can establish the age of the person whose tooth they’re examining.

Comparing human teeth of contemporary culture to ones found in historical sites can reveal differences in how quickly they erupted. In the past, it seems that pearly whites arrived sooner than they do now. In our world today, we have long periods of development during which our teeth gradually break through our gums. It takes many years for children to gain all their baby teeth, for instance, and our last molars don’t crop up until we’ve grown into adulthood.

Thankfully, advancements in medicine and technology have kept up with our dental needs so that today, our smiles can be happier and healthier than ever!

About the Practice

At Edgewood Dental, you and your entire family benefit from a team of dental experts who provide a full array of oral healthcare services. Their friendly atmosphere ensures that you’ll feel comfortable and calm throughout your appointment or procedure. Using state-of-the-art instruments and materials, you’re sure to get effective results that last. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, you’re welcome to contact the office on the website or by calling (219) 898-4545.