Tooth Wear Patterns and Dietary Factors Among Indigenous African Communities: A Cross-Cultural Study

Abstract

Tooth wear represents a significant anthropological indicator of dietary practices, environmental adaptations, and cultural behaviors among indigenous populations. This cross-cultural study examines the relationship between tooth wear patterns and dietary factors across diverse indigenous African communities, incorporating data from archaeological evidence, contemporary ethnographic observations, and dental anthropological research. The investigation encompasses multiple ethnic groups including the Hadza of Tanzania, San peoples of Southern Africa, Maasai pastoralists, and various agricultural communities across the continent. Analysis of dental attrition, abrasion, and erosion patterns reveals significant correlations between subsistence strategies and tooth wear severity. Hunter-gatherer populations demonstrate distinct wear patterns characterized by heavy occlusal attrition and enamel chipping, primarily attributed to consumption of unprocessed plant materials and the inadvertent ingestion of soil particles and grit. Conversely, pastoralist communities exhibit moderate wear patterns associated with dairy-based diets and lower consumption of abrasive materials. Agricultural societies present intermediate wear characteristics, influenced by grain processing techniques and dietary diversity. This comprehensive analysis incorporates epidemiological data, biochemical analyses of dietary components, and comparative morphological assessments to elucidate the multifaceted relationship between nutrition and dental health. The findings contribute to our understanding of human adaptation, provide insights for contemporary dental health interventions, and offer methodological frameworks for future anthropological research. This study emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional dietary knowledge while addressing modern dental health challenges facing indigenous communities.