Teeth Through Time: A Comparative Study of Dental Wear and Pathologies in Populations of Thailand

Jasmine Volkaert

A comprehensive study of dental health can reveal dietary patterns and oral health practices of individuals, providing insights into their overall well-being and communities. This research employs a chronological analysis of dental wear and pathologies in Thailand, focusing on three distinct periods: the Neolithic age (Ban Kao site, approximately 3,700-4,000 BCE), the Iron Age (Noen U-Loke site, 1,600-2,300 BCE), and the post-industrialized period (Bangkok, 1890s to early 1900s). Since the transition from a hunting-gathering lifestyle to agriculture, rice has remained the staple diet in Southeast Asia, including communities in prehistoric Thailand, up to the present day. While the dietary pattern has remained relatively constant, this comparative study indicates significant decreases in dental wear, particularly in the maxillary anterior teeth, when comparing samples from Neolithic and Iron Age sites to those from the post-industrial period. Conversely, dental pathologies such as caries, periodontitis, and enamel hypoplasia have shown significant increases in both prevalence and severity as we progress toward the post-industrialized era. Although the use of teeth as tools has shifted as food became more accessible and easier to ingest, the increasing population and social complexities of the modern age introduce stressors that impact oral health. These results underscore the complex interplay between dietary habits, oral health, and social change over time, highlighting important implications for understanding historical health trends in Thailand.