Related Experiment Videos
Dental caries in nineteenth century upper Canada
S R Saunders1, C De Vito, M A Katzenberg
1Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. saunders@mcmaster.ca
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|October 23, 1997
Summary
Dental caries prevalence in 19th-century Ontario skeletons reveals age-related increases and sex-specific patterns. Tooth loss was most common in molars, with findings comparable to pre-1850 British populations.
Area of Science:
- Paleopathology
- Bioarchaeology
- Dental Anthropology
Background:
- Dental caries is a significant health issue with complex etiological factors.
- Historical skeletal samples offer insights into past population health and disease patterns.
- Understanding historical caries prevalence aids in interpreting the impact of diet and environment.
Observation:
- Analysis of adult skeletons (1821-1874) from St. Thomas' Anglican Church cemetery in Belleville, Ontario.
- Examination of caries prevalence, diseased teeth, and antemortem tooth loss.
- Low postmortem tooth loss and specific patterns of antemortem tooth loss (mandibular molars, then other molars and premolars).
Findings:
- Age at death significantly correlated with overall Caries Rate.
- Both age and sex significantly associated with the Diseased-Missing Index.
- Caries and tooth loss patterns in this Canadian sample resemble pre-1850 British populations more than American samples.
Implications:
- Findings suggest complex factors, potentially including diet and cultural practices, influenced 19th-century oral health.
- Further research on large historic samples from diverse regions is needed to fully understand caries etiology.
- This study contributes to understanding the bioarchaeology of dental disease in North America.