• Article
• Open Access
• Published: 09 September 2021

The largest and earliest known sample of dental caries in an extinct mammal (Mammalia, Euarchonta, Microsyops latidens) and its ecological implications

• Keegan R. Selig &
• Mary T. Silcox

Scientific Reports volume 11, Article number: 15920 (2021) Cite this article

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Abstract

Dental cavities or caries is a common disease among modern humans, affecting almost every adult. Caries frequency has been used to study dietary change in humans over time, based on an inferred tie between the incidence of caries and a carbohydrate-rich diet. However, the disease is not unique to our species. Among non-human primates, there is also variation in caries frequency associated with diet, suggesting that this metric may provide a mechanism for studying diet in broader contexts, and across geological time. To date, very few studies have examined caries among fossil mammals, and none have done so among Eocene mammals. Here, we present our analysis of the largest sample to date of fossil caries in a single extinct mammal species, Microsyops latidens, a stem primate from the early Eocene, which is known from over a thousand specimens from the Southern Bighorn Basin of Wyoming (n = 1030). Our results show that Microsyops latidens is characterized by a high prevalence of dental caries (7.48% of individuals), with notable variation through time, reaching 17.24% of individuals from a particular interval. This interval is also associated with a change in overall dental form, as quantified by dental topographic analysis, which measures functional aspects of the chewing surface of teeth. These observations suggest that this species experienced a shift in their diet to include more fruit or other sugar rich-foods for a short period. Our analysis, therefore, suggests that the diet of M. latidens fluctuated over time, as well as providing a framework for assessing caries in other fossil taxa.

Why YSK: To potentially save your teeth, and/or avoid fortune in dental bills.

When not a problem - enjoying vinegar rich foods occasionally, with brief exposure time.

When possibly a problem - snacking on foods dipped in ketchup, salsa or similar sauces on a daily basis, and/or for extended time periods, or just before going to sleep.

My testimony - I had pretty severe problem requiring multiple dental repairs every year. I decided to quit vinegar foods (I was a big consumer) as a simple experiment. This was 10 years ago, and I have not had a single instance of tooth decay since.

Reading labels - here are some common vinegar synonyms used; Preservative, Acetic Acid, Acetate, E260, E261, E262, E263.

Rule 9 compliance: "In this in vitro study, the erosive potential of different vinegar varieties on human enamel samples could be demonstrated." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24839821/

Any help are much appreciated

What factors are associated with early childhood dental caries? A longitudinal study of the Growing Up in New Zealand cohort

Abstract Background

The relative importance of different strategies to prevent dental caries is not known.

Aim

We explored the relationship between oral health behaviours, diet, and the incidence of dental caries.

Design

We conducted a study of children participating in the ‘Growing Up in New Zealand’ cohort. Exposures were oral health behaviours, a food frequency questionnaire, and sociodemographic characteristics that were recorded when the child was nine months and two years old. Outcomes were records of dental caries at ages four to seven years.

Results

4111 children had dental examination records from between the ages of four and seven years. High levels of dental caries were reported in children of Pacific, Asian, and Māori ethnicity. Food frequency questionnaire information was summarised into two principal components. The major axis of variation was in the intake of food and drinks with high concentrations of sugar and refined starch, with this component strongly associated with caries (multivariable incidence rate ratio of caries 0.48; 95% confidence interval: 0.38‐0.61, comparing the extreme quintiles of the first principal component).

Conclusions

A diet high in sugar or refined starch was strongly linked to caries. Policies to reduce sugar and refined starch intake should be considered.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ipd.12686

Calvin has a bag of gummy bears. He is concerned about dental caries. What is the best recommendation for Calvin.

A) eat the gummy bears all at once because the bacteria in his mouth will ferment the sugars all at once and produce less acid to erode the teeth and consider having a piece of cheese after consumption OR b) eat the gummy bears all at once because the bacteria in his mouth will ferment the sugars all at once and produce less acid to erode the teeth and consider having a glass of milk after to wash away the excess sugar

I’m thinking a because there is sugar in milk and how can it just wash it away?

My dog has stage 2 periodontal disease from what I've read online. Being in the philippines right now dental care for animals is not commonly practiced. What can I do for my boy?

He eats a barf diet and the affected spot is due to teeth positioning.

https://www.washington.edu/news/2009/07/09/diets-bad-for-teeth-are-also-bad-for-the-body/

Abstract

Aim: To provide a narrative review of the role of macro- and micronutrients in relation to dental caries, gingival bleeding and destructive periodontal disease.

Materials & Methods: This review is based on systematic reviews (when available) and comparative human studies.

Results: Dental caries cannot develop without the presence of dietary fermentable carbohydrates, in particular sugar. The susceptibility to develop caries in the presence of carbohydrates may be influenced by genetics and micronutrients such as vitamin D. Gingival bleeding and destructive periodontal disease are sensitive markers to both abnormalities in macronutrient content (excessive carbohydrates or poly-unsaturated fat intake, deficient protein intake) and micronutrient intake (e.g. vitamin C and B12).

Conclusion: Dental caries and periodontal diseases are a sensitive alarm bell for an unhealthy diet, which predicts the future onset of the diseases of civilizations.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jcpe.12672

Macronutrients

Carbohydrates

Sugar and carbohydrates are known not only increase the risk for dental caries, but also for gingival bleeding. Seven controlled trials documented an increase in gingival bleeding with an increased intake of sugars (Hujoel 2009, Woelber et al. 2016). These increases in gingival bleeding have been observed even among dental hygienist and dental students who presumably had excellent oral hygiene routines. An interesting study with respect to the role of refined foods in gingival bleeding was performed where people lived on a Stone Age diet for 4 weeks with no access to toothbrushes and dental floss. Some dental professionals expected that these individuals’ gingival condition would get worse, but surprisingly the opposite occurred. Despite the increases in dental plaque, gingival bleeding decreased (Baumgartner et al. 2009).

Fats

The type of fats in the diet is related to both overall health and periodontal health. Omega-6 fats are predominantly present in vegetable oils, which were promoted as improving cardiovascular health. These claims of improved cardiovascular health were never demonstrated in terms of prevention of myocardial infarctions or deaths.