The root of the truth in a tooth

TEETH tell archaeologists everything about ancient civilisations – from their diet to their lifestyle, to their cause of death.

In particular, scientists found that teeth could show our risks of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Dr Erin Dunn, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, examined lost milk teeth from sixyear-olds, and found those with thinner enamel were more likely to have attention deficit issues.

The finding, while it may be logical to archaeologists, is unprecedented in psychiatry, offering an entirely new way to screen for disorders that are increasingly common.

For the study, presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, DC, Dunn teamed up with archaeologists, anthropologists and public health practitioners.

They asked the parents of 37 children, aged six and up, in California, to donate their teeth when they fell out.

After analysing each tooth with high-resolution imaging, they compared their analyses with behavioural assessments of the children.

They found that differences in the dimensions and qualities of their teeth were better predictors of mental health than factors that psychiatrists would normally look for.

For Dunn, the study showed the benefit of, and need for, scientists to work across fields.

PHANDO JIKELO INAM Ntozini, 8, shows a bright smile at Khanyisa Primary in Mfuleni, where DrLinda Greenwell ran a tooth care campaign. |