Prevalence and natural history of periodontal disease in prehistoric Scots (pre‐900 AD)
Abstract
The periodontal status of a Scottish prehistoric population was studied. No individual over the age of 10 yr had an entirely healthy periodontium. Gingivitis was the most widespread disease state in the adolescent and younger age groups. The progression towards periodontitis was at a constant rate and mirrored modern epidemiological studies. A small proportion of individuals proved to be either more susceptible or resistant to periodontal disease. There was no evidence of periodontal disease prevalence being higher than that of modern societies with access to dental treatment. Much can be learnt regarding the natural history of periodontal disease by the study of archaeological material.
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The shift in oral microbiota with farming is consistent with skeletal evidence of marked increases in periodontal disease following the transition to an agricultural diet, suggesting a major impact on the human oral ecosystem around this time.
“This is consistent with skeletal evidence showing marked increases in periodontal disease41 following the transition to an agricultural diet, suggesting a major impact on the human oral ecosystem around this time.”
From Sequencing ancient calcified dental plaque shows changes in oral microbiota with dietary shifts of the Neolithic and Industrial revolutions (2013) · cites this paper as [41]
Increased consumption of cereal grains at this transition was accompanied by the emergence of dental and periodontal diseases, which is further reflected by distinct shifts in the oral microbiota.
“Increased consumption of cereal grains at this transition was accompanied by the emergence of dental and periodontal diseases, which is further reflected by distinct shifts in the oral microbiota.245, 246, 247”
From The oral microbiome: Role of key organisms and complex networks in oral health and disease (2021) · cites this paper as [247]
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The oral microbiome: Role of key organisms and complex networks in oral health and disease
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- Authors
- Kerr, N. W.
- Affiliations
- University of Aberdeen (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Kerr, N. W.
- Venue
- Journal of Periodontal Research
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1998-04
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 131-137
- ISSN
- 0022-3484 (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0765
- OpenAlex
- W1982667898
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Periodontal Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Paleopathology and ancient diseases
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Keywords
- periodontal disease, gingivitis, periodontitis, disease prevalence, disease susceptibility
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Paleodontology, Paleopathology, Periodontal Diseases, Scotland, Prevalence, Age Distribution, History, Ancient
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