You are on page 1of 12

Copyright by Brooke L.

Battiloro 2009
DO NOT CITE WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR

Humans can exercise some control over the way their face and skull develops by the conscious and often unconscious choices made throughout their lifespan. Although genetic makeup creates boundaries as to what individual agency can attain, the possibility to mold the face and teeth by food choices is present. This is due to the fact that the human face naturally develops and changes shape with the help of the teeth. Teeth are tools that can be wielded to influence the way the face will ultimately change and transform through life. Depending on the strength of teeth, aging will either increase the skull size or shrink it. Strong teeth can deter a shrunken and rather unappealing appearance. The study of past cultures can significantly be enhanced with the knowledge of craniofacial adaptation, and since the 1960s, the science of dental anthropology has made significant contributions to archaeology, human biology, and dental science. Additionally, understanding the health of teeth and gums from an anthropological perspective can help enhance the understanding and control human beings have over their facial contours. Since changes to the skull and teeth are evident in archaeological context in part due to subsistence changes, it follows that what we eat and how we process our food have effects on us in the present. The shift to farming from hunting and gathering has often been presented as a boon to the cultures that adopted it. In many aspects this is true, but in the context of overall health, the skeletal remains show a marked decrease in general well-being, and particularly a decline in dental health. Foragers ate food that demanded more chewing resulting in stronger muscles and bones to which these muscles attach on the face and jaw. The shift to farming included a shift to food that was softer and less textured (Larsen 2000:111). The result being narrower faces and smaller jaws (Larsen 1997:398).

Cranial form in the growing child and the maturing adult is determined by a complex interaction of intrinsic (genetic) and extrinsic (environmental) factors. (Larsen 1997: 227) Studies have shown that significant changes can be brought about to the shape of the human skull by environmental influences. Contrary to the assertion that human head form is stable and highly heritable, diachronic population studies reveal a high degree of plasticity. Head shapebased on a ratio of head length to breadth (cephalic or cranial index)-of American-born immigrants was appreciably different from that of their European foreign-born parents(Larsen 1997: 227). Skull morphology has been discussed since the fifth century BC. Herodotus noted a particularly obvious differentiation between the skulls of Persians and Egyptians. Herodotus said that if so much as a pebble was thrown at a Persian skull it would pierce it because of the remarkable weakness. Herodotus said the skulls of Persians are so weak that if you so much as throw a pebble at one of them, you will pierce it; but the Egyptian skulls are so strong that a blow with a large stone will hardly break them. He interpreted these differences as being related to the lifelong exposure of the head to the sun and increased cranial thickening as a result in Egyptians but not in Persians (Larsen 1997: 226). Another possibility is that the skulls of the ancient Egyptians were so hard was because of their diet. Or perhaps Herodotus was reiterating gossip or a cultural version of an old wifes tale. When the teeth have a challenge like chewing meat and coarse grains, they become stronger. The aging skull will not be robust if the greatest challenge to the palate is processing cooked potatoes. Chewing is a behavior that can be conscious or unconscious. Lots of chewing demands big jaws, and heavy chewing of gritty, hard foods results in chipping and wear of teeth. Similarly, the postcranial bones, the area of the skeleton below the neck, were large and had big

muscle attachment sites, indicating that ancient hunter and gatherers must have led a highly active lifestyle. These were remains of foragers who did not hang out around lake margins enjoying a sedentary lifestyle. (Larsen 1997: 21) The way the mouth adapts to the food that is put in it is dependent on chewing style, the hardness of the food and the amount of pressure put on the teeth. The jaw is or can be a significantly strong muscle. Food and the way it is prepared has a huge influence on physical appearance. The strongest correlation can be drawn between morphology of the human face and food. The late australopithecines, especially robust and hyper-robust forms, had massive faces and jaws which has been linked to the types of food they ate such as seeds (Larsen 1997:398). Soft cereal grains caused people in the Sudan Nile Valley in a region called Nubia to have long, narrow skulls. Physical anthropologists noted that the skulls of their descendants were the opposite, with wide and short skulls. Anthropologists gave a racial hypothesis. They thought the change happened

as a result of short-headed people invading territories in Nubia inhabited by long-headed people. Earlier anthropologists believed that head shape was unchangeable and was a diagnostic racial marker. They were correct in their assertion that humans living in the same specific areas of the world have similar physical characteristics. Since then anthropologists have come to believe and learn that the skull is highly plastic as is other parts of the skeleton. In comparison to the ancient British populations, the modern Britons have contracted small palates. Their faces and noses are narrow. Changes in diet that happened in the early Christian era like replacing tough meats and not very finely ground corns with cooked food and soft cereals is the reason for the less full, less developed faces (Larson 1997). Teeth are the only skeletal structures of the living body that are in part visible to the naked eye. Their composition, anatomy and development are also quite different from the rest of

the skeleton and in addition, they tend to be more resistant than bone to the effects of inhumation. As a result, the study of teeth forms a large and important part of the investigations of palaeontologists, anthropologists, skeletal biologists and forensic scientists (Scheure and Black 2000). The human body should function optimally. The best anti-aging technique is to not allow the oral cavity to decline in size with age. While we are alive, our teeth can be manipulated. Pressure can be put on teeth in a number of natural ways. Eating and chewing food is the most obvious natural way to unconsciously and consciously to put pressure on teeth. Exercising teeth by pushing relatively hard with the tongue is an obvious and easy way to naturally and consciously put pressure on teeth. Pressure on teeth ultimately makes them stronger and more capable of moving outward, making the jaw bones wider. This can be achieved by the use of braces or by manual manipulation of the teeth with the tongue. The tongue is a muscle that can be used to change the shape of the mouth, just as other muscles control the shape of other body contours. Teeth are the one thing about the face that can change or help evolve the skeletal structure of the face. This isnt such good news to the people whose teeth are slowly caving in with age. If someone doesnt like the shape of their face there are options for them besides plastic surgery. The teeth need to be taken care of enough to still have most of them intact. The farther the teeth are pushed out the wider the jaw. The wider the jaw (both upper and lower) the more symmetrical the face looks. When the front teeth and pushed forward (both top and bottom) the face appears younger. The lips and cheeks and are supported and this helps eliminate lines and wrinkles. The eyes become more deep set and open as the whole shape of the skull changes. The double chin is eliminated when the jaw becomes flat and square. The chin is

automatically forced out when the jaw grows to accommodate widening teeth. As the teeth become stronger they can handle more pressure and move faster. The mouth is wet and is an erogenous zone. A lot of pleasure happens in the mouth. Its where we taste food, where words are formed and spoken. We can use our teeth as a defense mechanism (biting). The mouth has many functions, all of which are natural ways to put pressure on and exercise teeth. Teeth as a feeding mechanism in an oral cavity (mouth) are functionally linked with jaws (Stewart 2000:154). Chewing gum is an excellent way to exercise teeth and work on perfecting the face. Archeologists have found evidence of chewing gum made from tree resin and honeycomplete with teeth marksdating back to the Stone Age. The first modern chewing gum, patented in 1869, was made from sap of fruit trees. Today, new discoveries of gum's health benefits are changing the reputation of the much maligned practice of chewing gum. What health attributes can gum claim? Recent research links it to oral health, weight management, and stress relief. Dentists recommend chewing sugar-free, and list the possible benefits from chewing for better oral health. And the American Dental Association has awarded that familiar Seal of Acceptance to several sugar-free gums. Clinical studies have found that gum reduces the incidence of tooth decay by up to 40% and provides other oral benefits. Chewing gum stimulates saliva, which contains natural antibacterial agents that protect teeth against cavities, neutralizes plaque acids that form in the mouth after eating carbohydrates, and clears plaque from the mouth. It also helps to strengthen teeth and relieves dry mouth. Chewing gum also whitens teeth by reducing and preventing stains. Some technological advances are one reason for teeth not developing correctly in the past. In addition to the change in subsistence, the Nubians also had the technology of pottery.

Cooking the cereals in pots increased the softness of the food. Thereby decreasing the use of jaw muscles while eating. Light usage of the jaw promotes less powerful muscles which promotes limited bone growth. The Nubians had reduced, small faces as a result of how they processed their foods. Currently the technology available today has increased how much of our subsistence is processed, micro-waved Easy-Mac being a prime example. Even before the mouth is developed enough to possess teeth, it is affected by pressure. Sucking on bottles and pacifiers and our mothers breast immediately begins to change the shape of the human jaw. The advantages of breastfeeding are significant. Breastfed babies have higher IQs, earn better grades, suffer from fewer illnesses and hospitalizations, have less smelly diapers, as well as less tooth decay and poorly positioned teeth (Child 2009:26-27). People make a lot of assumptions about each other based on physical appearance. First impressions are initially a facial viewing. Physical appearance plays a key role in human social interaction and the smile and teeth are important features in determining the attractiveness of a face. Additionally, the mouth is thought to be important in social interactions. The expression of the face is a basic mode of nonverbal communication among people. The facial expression of another person is often the basis on which we form significant impressions of such characteristics as friendliness, trustworthiness, and status (Stenburg 2002:144). The overall expression of the face is a composite of signs from many sources, such as the bony structure, shapes and positions of features, and color and texture of the skin (Stewart 2000:154). Bone structure in the face has a lot to do with how well a person is able to express emotion. The more developed the bone structure of the face, the easier it is to see an emotion. The more defined the face is, the easier it is to express emotion. Why do high fashion models always have such defined, well proportioned, almost perfectly developed faces? Usually those

are the faces that show the most emotion with the smallest amount of effort. When the face is defined it is far more expressive and the facial muscles produce the varying facial expressions that convey information about emotion, mood, and ideas. The quality of emotional expressions are one primary result of bone structure and activity by the facial muscles (Stewart 2000:154). The mouth is the best place to grow something in the human body. Research shows that the health of the teeth and gums are directly linked to the health of the body. According to the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, three in four Canadians have some kind of mild form of gum disease Pindborg (1970). Gum disease is also called gingivitis. Gingivitis causes red or swollen bleeding gums and if it is left untreated, chronic gingivitis can lead to a far worse condition known as periodontal disease (periodontitis) that often causes no pain and few very symptoms. Eventually, the bone around teeth degenerates and can lead to tooth loss. This condition causes inflammation and harms more than just the mouth. The immune system kicks into high gear, trying to fight the overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth (Schickore 2007:166). Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections around previously damaged heart valves. Scientists also believe that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease releases infection-fighting compounds that can inadvertently damage other body tissues. People who dont take care of their teeth and suffer from periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to die from a heart attack (Keener 2008:13). People with periodontal disease are three times as likely to suffer a stroke as those with healthy gums. A link has also been found to diabetes and pneumonia. Treating periodontal disease removes inflammation and aids glycemic control, reducing the need for insulin in some people with diabetes (Keener 2008). A connection also exists between periodontal disease and premature births. Most mothers-to-be take care with their diet, exercise, and medical care. Many do not realize how

crucial their oral health is to the developing fetus. Pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be as much as seven times more likely to give birth to a baby that is premature or of low birth weight. Tender, bleeding gums are fairly common during pregnancy, mostly due to hormonal changes. Regular dental cleanings, flossing, and brushing become most important during this time. Good old daily brushing and flossing and seeing a dentist and dental hygienist every six months can prevent a lot of health problems or at least limit their effects (Keener 2008:13). Making time and money for dental care can save a persons life. Dentists are trained to do an in-depth examination of all our oral tissues and they can screen for oral cancers. As a standard procedure they will examine the tongue, palate, lips, and the inside of the cheeks for any bumps or sores, which may indicate oral cancer. Alcohol, smoking, and chewing tobacco can all significantly increase the risk of oral cancer. For people who smoke and drink alcohol, the risk of oral cancer is 15 times higher. Half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer die within five years of diagnosis. Regular dental examinations help tremendously with early detection and treatment (Schickore 2007). If more people realized the consequences of ignoring their mouth, teeth, and gums, they would probably see their dentist right away. After all, the head sits on top of the rest of the bodyso the health of one will affect the health of the other (Thomas 2003). Many times oral surgeons defy evolution by automatically removing wisdom teeth as a general rule of their practice. I do not believe wisdom teeth are meant to be removed in all cases. I would love to go back in time so I could make an informed decision about getting pieces of bone removed from my jaw for no apparent reason. Wisdom teeth can assist in pushing our original permanent teeth out along with the help of the tongue. For most people they dont come in until the late teens or early twenties. They must be reserved for a reason. We only get one set

of permanent teeth. Why would we want to eliminate a chance for four brand new strong posterior teeth? Why are we so afraid of the chance to lengthen our jaw and the possibility of a wider more perfect smile? It is a rite of passage: a lot of us have our wisdom teeth removed at 18 so they won't eventually push aside their neighbors and result in the mouth becoming a painful, crowded mess. Indeed, this surgery may be pointless. If those teeth aren't causing problems there's absolutely no evidence that removing them is necessary to prevent future crowding, a new research review found. Surgery needs to be used only in cases when teeth are painful or if they are harming the surrounding teeth. Be careful to keep in mind that oral surgery experts say such problems aren't unusual. Experts say that Two thirds of patients have issues that could justify surgery, such as cavities in a wisdom tooth (or surrounding teeth) or nearby gum inflammation, says oral surgeon and clinical epidemiologist Thomas B. Dodson, DMD, MPH, an associate professor at the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine. He adds that surgeons will often remove wisdom teeth to prevent cavities in hard to brush areas, a procedure he supports (Lyon 2006:25). The heart of the matter from an archaeological perspective is that the past should not be ignored. There is ample evidence that the consumption of different kinds of foods processed in different ways has a lasting effect on our skeletal health, particularly the teeth and jaw. The shift to sedentism and agriculture opened new options for prehistoric people. Unfortunately it also involved a decrease in health for many. The past can inform the present. Individuals now can be informed and taught from a very young age about their teeth and the importance of caring for them. Our teeth should be looked at as tools in helping us become what we are meant to become, our best selves from the inside out. Human beings should be educated and encouraged to retain their natural teeth as long as possible, and to pursue behaviors that maintain them while

weve got them so as to maintain and enhance the best possible natural contours of their face and overall health.

Lyon, Lindsay 2006 Is there wisdom in wisdom teeth? American Journal of Public Health 323(12):25. Thomas, Carol 2003 The skull measurer. Canadian Journal of Health & Nutrition 15(2):121-222. Keener, Will 2008 Black feathers, white bones. Journal of clinical period 65(5):13. Schickore, Jutta 2007 Test objects for microscopic. Better Nutrition 16(5): 166 Stewart, Ben

2000 regeneration of teeth. Department of Anatomy: 154. Stenburg, Lori 2002 Tissue engineering. Clinical genetics 89(4): 144 Child, Casey 2009 Teeth by two. International Journal of Childbirth Education 23(2): 26-27.

You might also like