scholarly journals The Effect of Agriculture on Health in Neolithic Populations in the Levant

Pathways ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Masood

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect that the onset of agriculturalism had on the lives and health of the various Neolithic populations in the Levant  during that time. Analysis of bones found at the site of Abu Hureyra (which was occupied by both hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists) show evidence for increased physical stress in the skeletons of agriculturalists, which was due to the physical stress of agriculture (Molleson 1994). Furthermore, musculoskeletal markers on Neolithic male skeletons were shown to be more symmetrical than on Natufian male skeletons. This correlates with the shift from hunting to farming (Eshed et al. 2004). It was also found that the agricultural lifestyle increased the infectious disease rate of farming populations when compared to their Natufian counterparts (Eshed et al. 2010). The shift to an agricultural lifestyle brought about many changes for dental health as well. In Neolithic populations, the rates of dental caries increased, while the wear on their teeth decreased (Eshed, Gopher, and Hershkovitz 2006; Richards 2002). This was due to the increased consumption of carbohydrates and the decreased use of teeth as tools, respectively (Eshed, Gopher, and Hershkovitz 2006; Richards 2002). Furthermore, the mandible was shown to decrease in size in the Neolithic populations when compared to Natufians (Pinhasi, Eshed, and von Cramon-Taubadel 2015). These dental changes were also seen in other areas during the agricultural shift, such as South Asia and South America (Eshed, Gopher, and Hershkovitz 2006).

2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lenander-Lumikari ◽  
V. Loimaranta

Caries is a unique multifactorial infectious disease. Our understanding of etiological factors, the progress of the disease, and the effectiveness of prophylactic procedures have led us to believe that we understand the disease. However, we still have too few answers to many questions: "Why can we not predict who will get the disease?" "Why do we not become immunized?" "How much saliva is enough?" or "Which salivary components are protective?" and "Which salivary components predispose for caries?" It is generally accepted, however, that saliva secretion and salivary components secreted in saliva are important for dental health. The final result, "caries to be or not to be", is a complex phenomenon involving internal defense factors, such as saliva, tooth surface morphology, general health, and nutritional and hormonal status, and a number of external factors-for example, diet, the microbial flora colonizing the teeth, oral hygiene, and fluoride availability. In this article, our aim is to focus on the effects of saliva and salivary constituents on cariogenic bacteria and the subsequent development of dental caries.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2711
Author(s):  
Fiona S. Atkinson ◽  
Jouhrah Hussain Khan ◽  
Jennie C. Brand-Miller ◽  
Joerg Eberhard

Sugary carbohydrate foods have long been associated with increased risk of dental caries formation, but the dental health impact of starchy carbohydrates, particularly those with a high glycemic index (GI), has not been well examined. Aim: To investigate the effect of different starchy foods varying in their GI, on acute changes in dental plaque pH. Methods: In a series of sub-studies in healthy adults, common starchy carbohydrate foods, including white bread, instant mashed potatoes, canned chickpeas, pasta, breakfast cereals, white rice, and an oral glucose solution were consumed in fixed 25 g available carbohydrate portions. The change in dental plaque pH was assessed postprandially over 1 h and capillary plasma glucose was measured at regular intervals over 2 h. Results: Higher GI starchy foods produced greater acute plaque pH decreases and larger overall postprandial glucose responses compared to lower GI starchy foods (white bread compared with canned chickpeas: −1.5 vs. −0.7 pH units, p = 0.001, and 99 ± 8 mmol/L min vs. 47 ± 7 mmol/L min, p = 0.026). Controlling for other food factors (food form and nutritional composition), lower GI versions of matched food pairs produced smaller plaque pH excursions compared to higher GI versions of the same food. Using linear regression analysis, the GI value of starchy carbohydrate foods explained 60% of the variation in maximum plaque pH nadir and 64% of the variation in overall acute dental plaque pH excursion (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The findings imply that starchy foods, in particular those with a higher GI, may play a role in increasing the risk of dental caries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-122
Author(s):  
Dishika Iswar ◽  
Arun Kumar Sajjanar ◽  
Milind Wasnik ◽  
Niharika Gawod ◽  
Partima Kolekar ◽  
...  

Though the prevalence and the severity of dental caries is decreased in past few years, still children from low socioeconomical status in many industrialized or developing countries are still suffering from ill-effects of dental caries. The antimicrobial effect of silver compounds has been proven by the 100-year-old application of silver compounds. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been used to arrest dental caries during 1970s in Japan, but it was not exposed much to other parts of the world. Today in many countries a 38% (44,800 ppm fluoride) SDF solution is commonly used to arrest caries and also to reduce hypersensitivity in primary and permanent teeth. Application of SDF to arrest dental caries is non-invasive procedure and is quick and simple to use. Reports of available studies showed that there is no severe pulpal damage after SDF application. However, it has some drawbacks like black discoloration of the carious teeth and an unpleasant metallic taste. But, low cost of SDF and its simplicity in application suggest that it is an appropriate agent for use in community dental health programme. Thus, SDF appears to meet the criteria of both the WHO Millennium Goals and the US Institute of Medicine’s criteria for 21st century medical care, that is, it is a safe, effective, efficient, and equitable caries preventive agent.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ni Ketut Nuratni ◽  
◽  
I Nyoman Wirata ◽  
Ni Wayan Arini ◽  
I Made Budi Artawa ◽  
...  

Most of Indonesians suffer from dental caries. This is due to bad dental health maintenance. Although in fact, dental caries is a preventable disease. Dental and oral hygiene that is not maintained will cause various dental diseases that will affect general health, although it does not cause death directly, but is also a risk factor for other diseases including: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, low birth weight (LBW) , and even heart disease. We undertook this research by evaluating the influence of dental health care towards elementary school children. The subjects are fifth grade in SD Saraswati 4 Denpasar, Indonesia. There are control and intervention groups in this research. The treatment for control group was given leaflet and intervention group was given dental health care with the provision of dental therapist. We evaluate the influence on knowledge, attitude, practice and Debris Index score. The analysis using bivariate test employed Wilcoxon test and univariate test employed Mann-Whitney test. The results show that in intervention group, there is influence of dental health care on knowledge, attitude, practice and Debris Index score of the students. Meanwhile in control group, there is influence on knowledge and attitude but no influence on practice and Debris Index score. Mann-Whitney test shows that there are significant differences in knowledge and attitude, but no significant practice and Debris Index score in intervention and control group. The Debris Index criteria of the intervention group are 100% good with the treatment of dental health care.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Xavier ◽  
Érica Silva de Carvalho ◽  
Roosevelt da Silva Bastos ◽  
Magali de Lourdes Caldana ◽  
Patrícia Ribeiro Mattar Damiance ◽  
...  

Aim: This study presents the prevalence of dental caries and its relation to the quality of life of adolescents according to the access to dental health services. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-six adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age participated in the study; they were all enrolled in public schools in a countryside municipality of the São Paulo State. Data related to dental caries were evaluated by the DMFT Index, and OHIP-14 was used for evaluating the quality of life. Mann Whitney and Spearmann correlation tests were also used (p<0.05). Results: A DMFT of 3.09 (±3.30) was found with a higher prevalence among the adolescents who used public dental services (3.43±3.34) compared with those who used private services (2.94±3.28). A statistically significant relationship between the decay component of DMFT with physical pain (0.020), physical disability (0.002) and quality of life (0.017) was verified. Conclusions: A low prevalence of dental caries was observed, and it was higher in adolescents who used public oral health services rather than private ones, evidencing the low influence of oral health on the quality of life of the participants.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabila Ahmed Sedky

ABSTRACT Objectives Evaluating oral and dental health status in Egyptian children with cerebral palsy (CP) in relation to gross motor skills and types of CP. Materials and methods Cross-sectional study was conducted at el-Shatby Hospital for Children, Alexandria, Egypt. Oral examination for 62 children with CP between the age range 3 and 12 years was performed, and decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT)/decayed and filled primary teeth (dft), simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), and modified gingival index (MGI) were charted. Maxillofacial defects, dental problems, and drooling of saliva were assessed. Children's CP type, motor milestone, and gross motor skills were determined. All statistical analyses were carried out at p<0.05 and 0.01. Results About 84.0% of children had spastic quadriplegia, 41.9% were sit-supported, 32.3% had level IV Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), 29.0% had level V no maxillofacial defects, 14.5% had dentin exposure greater than one-third of the surface, and 22.6% had frequent/severe drooling saliva. Caries prevalence comprised 54.8%, 53.2% had poor oral hygiene (OHI-S), and 43.6% had severe gingival inflammation (MGI). The first best predictor variable for dft was “motor milestone” The GMFCS (levels IV and V) was the first best predictor variable for DMFT, OHI-S, and MGI. Conclusion The majority of children had dental caries, poor oral hygiene, and severe gingival inflammation. Children who were sit-supported, had no neck support, and stand-supported were suffering from dental caries (dft) more than children who were sitting and walking alone. Children with levels IV/V GMFCS were prone to have dental caries (DMFT), susceptible to suffer from bad oral hygiene, and older children experiencing severe gingivitis more than younger ones. How to cite this article Sedky NA. Assessment of Oral and Dental Health Status in Children with Cerebral Palsy: An Exploratory Study. J Contemp Dent 2017;7(1):1-11.


Author(s):  
Rohan Sachdev

Sugar is one of the most widely consumed sweetening agents. Unfortunately, its use has been linked to various disease states, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM) and dental caries. Dental caries is a chronic disease which can affect us at any age. The role of sugar (and other fermentable carbohydrates such as highly refined flour) as a risk factor in the initiation and progression of dental caries is increasing day by day. Sugar substitutes are food additives that provide a sweet taste more or less similar to that of sugar and plays important role in control of dental caries.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-182
Author(s):  
Louis W. Ripa

Dental caries is a disease that usually begins very early in life and from which few people remain unaffected. However, because caries is associated with local etiologic vectors, it can be controlled. Altering the diet to render it less cariogenic and making tooth surfaces more resistant to acid attack through the use of fluoride are two potent mechanisms of prevention. Pediatricians are in a unique position to contribute to the dental health of their young patients because of the early age at which children are brought to their offices and because mothers are accustomed to accept their recommendations. The pediatrician's role in caries control includes diagnosis, referral, and preventive therapy. Early referral of children who appear dentally healthy as well as those in which there are obvious cavities in the teeth has been stressed. As part of a caries preventive program, a system of systemic fluoride supplementation has been outlined for those children who are not drinking optimally fluoridated water. In addition, food-caries relationships have been discussed and practical suggestions for reducing the cariogenicity of a child's diet have been made. Although toothbrushing is considered a traditional method of caries prevention, it has not been discussed in this article for two reasons. First, published evidence does not conclusively support the premise that toothbrushing per se significantly reduces dental caries. Second, the results of the general efforts of the dental profession to motivate patients to adopt either meticulous or frequent brushing habits have been poor. It would be unrealistic to expect the medical profession to initiate procedures that would significantly alter the behavior of their patients' toothbrushing habits. Toothbrushing in the young child, especially the preschooler, should be regarded as another method for providing topical fluoride to the teeth. Parents should be encouraged to brush their young children's teeth as soon as they erupt. A soft, child-size toothbrush should be employed with a scrubbing motion. An anticariogenic toothpaste§ that has proven effective in controlled clinical trials should be recommended by the pediatrician or his nurse. It is hoped that the mechanisms for influencing children's dental health that were discussed in this article can be incorporated with minimum effort into the normal routine of pediatricians' practices.


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Padmapriya Ramanujam ◽  
Saravanan Poorni ◽  
Manali Ramakrishnan Srinivasan ◽  
Nivedhitha Malli Sureshbabu

The prevalence of oral diseases is increasing and is becoming a major concern in the society. Treatment without prevention is simply unsustainable. One such preventable disease is dental caries. Several strategies for caries prevention have been developed over the years. Bacteriotherapy is one potential method. With better understanding on the importance of a well balanced oral microbial environment for maintaining good dental health, probiotics has gained great momentum in dentistry. The World Health Organization along with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations defined probiotics as “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. Several probiotic strains have been identified for caries prevention through various experimental studies. However, identifying the right vehicle for administration of probiotics on everyday basis is the need of the hour. Toothpastes, mouthrinses, powders, tablets, lozenges, chewing gums are some probiotic vehicles that have been studied. This paper would throw light on the microbial strains, mechanism of action, forms and future for probiotics in caries prevention.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krista Salli ◽  
Markus J. Lehtinen ◽  
Kirsti Tiihonen ◽  
Arthur C. Ouwehand

Xylitol has been widely documented to have dental health benefits, such as reducing the risk for dental caries. Here we report on other health benefits that have been investigated for xylitol. In skin, xylitol has been reported to improve barrier function and suppress the growth of potential skin pathogens. As a non-digestible carbohydrate, xylitol enters the colon where it is fermented by members of the colonic microbiota; species of the genus Anaerostipes have been reported to ferment xylitol and produce butyrate. The most common Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species do not appear to be able to grow on xylitol. The non-digestible but fermentable nature of xylitol also contributes to a constipation relieving effect and improved bone mineral density. Xylitol also modulates the immune system, which, together with its antimicrobial activity contribute to a reduced respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, and otitis media risk. As a low caloric sweetener, xylitol may contribute to weight management. It has been suggested that xylitol also increases satiety, but these results are not convincing yet. The benefit of xylitol on metabolic health, in addition to the benefit of the mere replacement of sucrose, remains to be determined in humans. Additional health benefits of xylitol have thus been reported and indicate further opportunities but need to be confirmed in human studies.


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