For most of us, brushing our teeth is a standard part of our daily routine. We don’t give it a lot of thought—other than to make sure we do it at least twice each day. Everyone today, Yuma residents included, also needs to visit their dentist for routine exams and cleanings.
What’s interesting to think about is the fact that for hundreds of thousands of years, people did not brush their teeth. What might seem unbelievable about that is that they did not have any dental problems in spite of their lack of oral hygiene.
Why are things different now? What has changed so that humans no longer have immunity to dental problems?
Ancient Diets Versus Modern Diets
Hundreds of thousands of years ago, people ate natural foods such as wheat and rice, fruits and vegetables. Without today’s chemicals and processing, these foods contained nutrients that helped keep teeth and gums healthy. These fibrous foods helped flush away food and debris from the teeth. Because of diet, teeth were resistant to both cavities and dental infections.
Compared with today’s average diet of highly processed food loaded with sugar, the meals eat by ancient people were wholesome, natural, and nutrient-dense. Today, people are often deficient in critical minerals and vitamins because of the foods they eat. It can cause teeth to become weak and prone to decay.
Other Modern Habits That Make Us Prone to Oral Health Problems
In addition to the sugary foods many of us consume on a daily basis, other habits such as smoking cigarettes and drinking soda also are detrimental to our teeth.
Our sedentary lifestyles negatively impact our oral health as well. Lack of exercise can lead to digestive problems that cause stomach acids to rise into the mouth, harming our teeth.
Top-Of-The-Line Oral Care in Yuma AZ
Scientists trace back the first toothbrush—made of frayed twigs—to around 3000 BC, the time of ancient Babylonians and Egyptians. Other sources cite the ancient Chinese as using twigs from aromatic trees as breath fresheners.
Today, we have toothbrushes, dental floss, and other tools available to combat modern living and keep our mouths clean and healthy. We also have biannual trips to the dentist for routine examinations and cleanings. Call your Yuma dentist, Dr. Sam Carroll, to make an appointment today! Learn what sets apart great dentists.
