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Lessons Learned From Neanderthal Dental Plaque

Posted by: Dr. Sirakian     Categories: Uncategorized

Dentists, for good reason, care a lot about plaque. Brushing and flossing regularly is essential to reducing plaque and keeping your teeth and gums free from bacteria. However, plaque can harbor plenty of information about an individual, as it is one of the most DNA rich areas of the human body. Sticky plaque catches all kind of food remains, fibers, bacteria, and more.

Fossilized plaque has been one of the best resources that researchers have used in their quest to learn more about Neanderthals, the closest relative to the modern Homo sapiens. For example, plaque has proved that Neanderthals had incredibly diverse diets. Some subsisted almost entirely on meat, while others were vegetarians. The image of the meat eating, club wielding “Caveman” isn’t so historically accurate. Furthermore, plaque has shown that Neanderthal’s were using plants to medicate. Specifically, one Neanderthal found in Spain was using the mold that produces penicillin and a bark that produces a painkiller similar to aspirin.

Plaque can provide even more information about Neanderthals and ancient culture. Plaque DNA uncovered the first direct link to milk consumption in ancient cultures, and also showed that humans in the medieval era actually had very similar oral microorganisms to modern humans, despite vast changes in diet and lifestyle.

While plaque can certainly provide an interesting look at the lives of our ancestors, it’s still recommended that you brush and floss daily.

Source, Source 2

Mar
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Falling Asleep Without Brushing

Have you ever gone to sleep without brushing your teeth? You may think, “Oh it’s just this one time,” but after reading this you will never have that “one time” again! We all know that we are supposed to brush and floss our teeth at least twice a day, but what exactly happens when two […]

Feb
27

5 Foods for a Healthy Smile

When we eat, we rarely think about how our favorite foods affect our teeth. Well, we should! Different foods can have effects on our oral health. Here are some types of foods that are recommended for a healthy smile, and some that we advise to steer away from. Follow these guidelines, and your smile will […]

Feb
6

The Top 7 Reasons We Avoid the Dentist

For as many jokes as there are about the dentist, it’s really not a scary place! The fear that is present in our minds even before we enter the office has no reason to be there! Modern medicine ensures that treatments are generally painless, so what else is there to worry about? In this article […]

Sep
5

What You Need to Know About Grillz

Dental grills (also known as “grillz”) might draw attention to your teeth and your smile, but they are actually terrible for your teeth. If you have ever seen a music video featuring someone wearing grills, then you are likely looking at dental grills that are made from gold, silver, or another precious metal. While expensive […]

Aug
29

Xerostomia: What is it, and how do I fix it?

It’s a feeling we’ve all experienced at some point or another: a parched, gritty, can’t-get-water-fast-enough sensation that’s unpleasant at best and dangerous at worst. Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a medical condition that we tend to write off as mere dehydration. While taking a big gulp of water can help in the short-term, if your […]

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