Enamel erosion and mechanical tooth wear in medieval Icelanders

Abstract

Objectives: The Icelandic Sagas are an important source of information on the way of life and diet habits in Iceland and possibly other Nordic countries 1000 years ago. Archaeological human skull material worldwide has revealed extensive tooth wear, with the main cause believed to be coarse diet. From a graveyard near volcano Hekla, 66 skeletons dated from before 1104 were excavated. The purpose of this study was to determine the main causes of tooth wear in Icelanders 1000 years ago.

Materials and methods: Forty-nine skulls were available for research. Two methods were used to evaluate tooth wear and seven for age estimation. An attempt was made to determine the main causes of tooth wear in the light of likely diet and beverage consumption according to a computer search on food and drink customs described in the Icelandic Sagas. Results: Tooth wear was extensive in all groups, increasing with age. The highest score was on first molars, with no difference between sexes. It had all the similarities seen in wear from coarse diet. In some instances it had similar characteristics to those seen in erosion in modern Icelanders consuming excessive amounts of soft drinks. According to the Sagas, acidic whey was a daily drink and used for preservation of food in Iceland until recently. Conclusions: Since acidic whey has considerably high dental erosive potential, it is postulated that consumption of acidic drinks and food, in addition to a coarse and rough diet, played a significant role in the dental wear of ancient Icelanders.

Keywords:

• Paleodontology
• tooth wear
• erosion
• medieval Icelanders

Acknowledgements

The present study is a part of the research project Odontological investigation on archaeological human remains from Skeljastadir in Thjorsardalur, which was supported by the Research Fund of the University of Iceland and the Research Fund of the Icelandic Dental Association. Thanks are extended to Professors Ulla Pallesen, Univ. of Copenhagen, Department of Odontology and Inga B Arnadottir, Univ. of Iceland, Faculty of Odontology.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.