Lifestyle changes and its effect towards the evolution of human dentition

Arofi Kurniawan, Shafa Marwa Moza, Nathania Nuraini, Mayang Aziza Hanif, Dhea Arum Sekar, Patricia Talitha

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The dentition of modern humans has evolved from their hominid ancestors to their current form. Factors regarding the changes of lifestyle such as dietary habits and usage of tools have affected the evolution of human dentition. This article aimed to discuss the effect of dietary changes on the evolution of human teeth. An online literature search in the PubMed database was conducted according to the inclusion criteria of this study. Main body: The culture transition from a hunter-gatherer society to agriculture is followed by dietary changes, which result in a decrease of tooth wear due to more refined food sources in agricultural intensification. By analyzing the microwear pattern such as shear, striation, and pattern of the buccal teeth, the dietary hypothesis based on the occlusal tooth microwear analysis could be examined. Conclusion: The dietary hypothesis based on the occlusal tooth microwear study could be tested by analyzing the microwear pattern (shear, striation, pattern) of the buccal teeth. Posterior teeth are more closely related to diet, while anterior teeth are related to non-dietary tooth-use behaviors, or using the teeth as a tool or third hand which causes more limited striations at the labial surface.

Original languageEnglish
Article number8
JournalEgyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

Keywords

  • Evolution
  • Food production
  • Human dentition
  • Tooth microwear

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