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Dental Health of Early Native Americans

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native-americans foods
  • Holmes and Palmer Orthodontics
  • July 14, 2021

 

WHEN WE PICTURE people of earlier eras, particularly pre-industrial ones, we tend to assume that they must have had really bad teeth. While it definitely is easier to get high-quality dental care these days, not to mention modern orthodontics and modern root canal therapy, the people of the past didn’t always have terrible dental health. Especially in cultures with no access to refined sugar.

Food Played a Big Role for Native American Dental Health

The ancient Native Americans ate a diet mostly of corn (maize), beans, squash, fish, and game, as well as fresh fruit and nuts. Their high-fiber diet helped keep their teeth and gums healthy. The harmful bacteria in our mouths need plenty of sugar and starch to multiply. Foods high in fiber have the benefit of scrubbing our teeth as we eat them.

How Did Early Native Americans Clean Their Teeth?

Just because tooth decay was uncommon doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. One museum in Manitou Springs, Colorado, for example, has an exhibit of replica skulls with holes in the jaw bones from advanced gum disease. To fight against tooth decay, ancient Native Americans used chewsticks — twigs that have been frayed by a rock on one end and sharpened into a toothpick on the other. Chewing on the frayed ends cleans the teeth. They also kept their breath fresh by chewing herbs like sage, cucacua, and mint.

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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My daughter was very nervous about getting braces but they made her feel so comfortable that she relaxed and was laughing by the time we left. The process was quick and we were out in no time.
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My daughter was very nervous about getting braces but they made her feel so comfortable that she relaxed and was laughing by the time we left. The process was quick and we were out in no time.
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Helpful and knowledgeable staff that have made the process of getting braces for the first time as easy as possible. They seem to truly care about the comfort of the patient during the whole experience.
Ownlee S.
Helpful and knowledgeable staff that have made the process of getting braces for the first time as easy as possible. They seem to truly care about the comfort of the patient during the whole experience.
Evon T.
Wonderful office!! Everyone is so friendly and really took their time explaining everything to my very nervous 10 yr old daughter, they put her mind at ease and made her feel comfortable. I would highly recommend them.
Evon T.
Wonderful office!! Everyone is so friendly and really took their time explaining everything to my very nervous 10 yr old daughter, they put her mind at ease and made her feel comfortable. I would highly recommend them.
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Wonderful staff and atmosphere! Everyone is friendly and takes time to explain every step! Highly recommended!
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Holmes & Palmer Orthodontics is amazing! My daughter, Natalie, loved the staff there...always friendly and helpful.
Amanda S.
Holmes & Palmer Orthodontics is amazing! My daughter, Natalie, loved the staff there...always friendly and helpful.
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Holmes and Palmer Orthodontics has such an amazing staff! My daughter, Natalie had a great experience there and we 100% recommend!
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Fantastic experience for my daughter, Natalie! She never dreaded going for checkup appointments on her braces because the staff was so amazingly kind and helpful. Would 100% recommend!
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