A Healthier Smile In The Past Dental Caries And Diet In Early Neolithic Farming Communities From Central Germany

Researchers studied the teeth and bones of 101 people who lived in central Germany about 7,000 years ago during the early farming period. These ancient people were among the first to transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture, growing crops and raising livestock. By examining their teeth for cavities and analyzing chemical signatures in their bones, scientists could determine both their dental health and what they ate.

The results were striking: nearly 70% of adults had tooth decay, with about 10% of all teeth affected by cavities. Older individuals had significantly more dental problems than younger ones, but there was no difference between men and women. The bone analysis revealed these people ate a mixed diet of plant crops (likely early grains and vegetables) and animal protein from their livestock.

This finding challenges assumptions about ancient diets being automatically healthier. Even though these early farmers ate whole, unprocessed foods without added sugars, they still developed substantial tooth decay. The high cavity rates were likely due to the starchy crops they cultivated, which feed harmful bacteria in the mouth just like modern refined carbohydrates do.

For modern metabolic health, this research highlights that the types of carbohydrates we eat - not just whether they're processed - significantly impact our dental and overall health. The transition to agriculture, while revolutionary for human civilization, introduced dietary changes that created new health challenges. In clinical practice, this reinforces the importance of considering not just avoiding processed foods, but also moderating starchy foods and maintaining excellent oral hygiene to prevent dental disease, which is increasingly linked to systemic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.