Study Suggests Gum Health Was Better In Ancient Rome Than It Is Today
A study has suggested that the Ancient Romans had better gums than their modern day counterparts.
Researchers from King’s College London and the Natural History Museum found that only 5 per cent of Romans suffered from gum disease, compared to up to 30 per cent of people living in the modern world. Archaeological studies suggest that the Roman lifestyle contributed to much better gum health; however, dental issues were rife and the study showed that abscesses and infections were very common.
In the modern world, smoking, increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes and diet have all contributed to an elevated risk of gum disease.
During the investigation, research teams analysed more than 300 skulls, which had been discovered in Poundbury, Dorset; most of the skulls dated back to 200-400 AD and belonged to people who died between the ages of 20 and 40 years old.
Prof Francis Hughes, from King’s College London, said that today, up to 1 in 3 people have signs of severe gum disease and this rate is significantly higher than that of days gone by in Ancient Rome. The findings were surprising, especially as there was evidence to confirm that dental infections and abscesses were prevalent. The findings of the study have been published in the British Dental Journal.
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