"Why Ancient Humans Had Straight Teeth and How Our Modern Lifestyle Causes Dental Crowding"

The state of our teeth has changed dramatically over the course of human evolution. In the distant past, our ancestors had large jaws and teeth that were well-suited to a subsistence lifestyle, in which they had to work hard to make their food digestible. Their teeth show extensive wear and flattening, and they had to grind, crush, and pulverize their food in order to break it down.

As humans began using tools and fire to cook and prepare food, they were able to break it down more easily, and this helped to alleviate some of the wear and tear on their teeth. Over time, humans began to refine and process their food even further, with the advent of milling technologies that could remove the tougher parts of grains like the germ and bran from rice and wheat. These innovations dramatically accelerated the process of breaking down food, and many human mouths were relieved of a great deal of their grinding, crushing, and pulverizing duties.

Interestingly, it was around this time that tooth crookedness appears to have become more common. Researchers have observed a gradual decrease in tooth and jaw size in humans and our ancestors over millions of years of evolution, but for most of human history, dietary shifts were gradual, and changes in tooth and jaw size kept pace with one another. However, with the more recent revolutions in agricultural and culinary habits, that relationship changed.

As people's diets have become less chewy, their jaws have gotten smaller, and this has led to dental crowding, resulting in dental crookedness and impacted wisdom teeth. Larger jaws appear to be associated with greater chewing demands, and many scientists think that as people's diets have become less chewy, their jaws have gotten smaller, leading to dental crowding and other problems.

This hypothesis has been supported by some preliminary experimental data. For example, in a 1983 study, researchers raised 43 squirrel monkeys on diets of either naturally tough or artificially soft food. Those fed softer food had more crowded premolars, rotated or displaced teeth, and narrower dental arches. And a 2004 study similarly observed that hyraxes raised on cooked foods experienced roughly 10% less growth in facial areas involved in chewing compared to those given raw and dried foods.

While there is some evidence to support this hypothesis, it is difficult to say for certain what has caused the increase in dental crowding and other problems. It may be that there are other factors at play as well, such as genetics, lifestyle, or environmental factors. However, it is clear that changes in diet and lifestyle have played a significant role in shaping the evolution of our teeth and jaws over time.

So what can we do to prevent tooth crowding and other dental problems? One approach is to focus on lifestyle changes that promote better dental health. For example, eating a diet that is less processed and more chewy may help to keep our jaws and teeth in better shape. Regular dental checkups and cleanings can also help to prevent dental problems from developing or getting worse over time.

Orthodontics may also be an option for people who have dental crowding or other issues with their teeth. Braces and other orthodontic devices can help to straighten teeth and improve their alignment, which can alleviate crowding and other problems. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove impacted wisdom teeth or correct other issues that are causing dental problems.

In conclusion, the evolution of our teeth and jaws has been shaped by a complex interplay of factors, including diet, lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors. While it is difficult to say for certain what has caused the increase in dental crowding and other problems, it is clear that changes in diet and lifestyle have played a significant role in shaping the evolution of our teeth and jaws over time. By focusing on lifestyle changes and orthodontic treatments