The Teeth of Colonial Americans

It is generally recognized that our teeth are in poor condition, and there is sound evidence to support this common opinion. One must question, however, the statements of those who claim that this condition is becoming worse, as well as of those who hold that it is improving. "Health Service" enthusiasts are likely to see good results coming from their "dental-care" programs, but pessimists are just as ready to provide a good argument for the view that there is a continual deterioration of the teeth. Sound statistical studies of the frequency and severity of dental caries or periodontal disease in different periods of American history are still wanting. Even the more recent reports contribute little information concerning this subject. We do not yet know whether or not our teeth are better or worse than were teeth at any previous period. The teeth of American troops in World War II were found to be shockingly bad, as was also true in World War I. Of this we are reasonably certain. But reports of comparative studies of the condition of the teeth of Americans are unreliable from a scientific standpoint whether these reports appeared in early, middle, or late historical times. There are certain facts concerning dental caries, however, which are acceptable. It is clear that some races have a much lower incidence of this disease than have others. Sound dentitions are commonly found among primitive races and also in certain ancient peoples, especially in mongoloid races such as the Chinese, Japanese, Eskimos, and American Indians. Dentists have been inclined to associate breakdown of the teeth with the advance of industrialization. The refinement of flour and of sugar and the great increase in their use are believed to have caused the severest damage. In view of the foregoing, it is of interest to consider three statements bearing on this subject which have come to the writer's attention. References to the works containing these statements are found in Esther Forbes' excellent book Paul Revere and the World He Lived In. These statements concern the condition of the teeth among people living in northern parts of Colonial America. The earliest one of these