Our Ancestors Had Better Teeth Than Us. Where Did We Go Wrong?

Slate
Science
The state of the universe.
Oct. 30 2014 1:43 PM

Where Did Our Teeth Go Wrong?

Tracing the Oral Health of Our Ancestors.

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GREAT BOOKHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 19: Teeth on a model denture set are reflected in a dental mirror on April 19, 2006 in Great Bookham, England. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

New research suggests the British had better teeth under the Romans 1,800 years ago than they do now. On a larger scale, did our ancestors all have better teeth than us? The video above explores the rise of tooth decay and gum disease, which were uncommon among early people.  

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