The human mouth is a surprisingly unrefined system. After so many years of evolution, it may seem odd that we haven’t yet overcome malocclusion and dental crowding. So, why is it that our teeth give us so many problems, while many species thrive without the benefit of professional dental care?
As it turns out, the human species may have been largely without such difficulties back in its early days. By looking at the jaws of 292 archaeological specimens from between 28,000 and 6,000 years ago, researchers observed that it wasn’t until the development of agrarian societies that human teeth began to crowd themselves. Hunter-gatherer populations fed largely on hard foods, like uncooked vegetables and meat, which required a strong and broad jaw. When agrarian societies began to cook their foods, their jaws began to shrink in size while their teeth remained the same size.
Today, about one in five people suffer from some sort of malocclusion or dental crowding. Talk to our Lynnwood dentistry clinic if you require any help.
