A crunchy cure against cavities

[Guest guest]

Deutsche Welle

 

 

Having a toothache during the Middle Ages might be a nightmare

scenario for those afraid of dentists. But as one German researcher

recently discovered, bad teeth probably weren't much of a problem

1,500 years ago.

 

 

 

The thought of rudimentary instruments and ruthless Medieval dentists

pulling teeth without anything to numb the pain sends shivers down

most peoples' spine. But anyone who avoids the dentist's chair like

the plague should consider taking a cue from the good old days of

dental hygiene.

 

 

 

According to a German professor of dentistry, people living during

the early Middle Ages had far fewer problems with their teeth.

 

 

 

Wolfgang Arnold of the University of Witten/Herdecke in western

Germany recently examined the dental remains of people buried near

the town of Kharkov in Ukraine between the 5th and 9th century.

 

 

 

" None of them had cavities, " he said, according to AP news service.

 

 

 

The explanation is quite simple: Medieval men and women spent quite a

bit of time chewing their food, which helped clean the teeth along

the way.

 

 

 

In comparison, modern diets include larger servings of carbohydrates

and softer foods, making teeth more prone to decay, Arnold said.

 

 

 

 

 

" Who eats raw vegetables or muesli that hasn't been soaked in milk? "

he asked.

 

 

 

Fans of traditional British cuisine might want to reconsider getting

that extra helping of mushy vegetables.

 

 

 

" Not cooking everything to death does help quite a bit, " Arnold said.

 

 

 

Carrot sticks, anyone