Dental effects of diet and coca-leaf chewing on two prehistoric cultures of northern Chile.
Two ancient cultures of northern Chile, the Chinchorro (9000-3500 BP) and the Maitas Chiribaya (850-700 BP) were examined for dental pathology in search of possible correlations between dental health, diet, and the cultural practice of coca-leaf chewing. The Chinchorro occupied the river mouth of the Azapa valley, subsisting almost exclusively on a maritime economy. The Maitas Chiribaya, descendants of migrant highlanders, had a rather well-developed agricultural subsistence base. The Chinchorro demonstrated extreme attrition rates and a correspondingly high frequency of periapical abscesses. They were essentially caries-free and enjoyed a moderate antemortem tooth loss frequency. The Maitas Chiribaya suffered light attrition; a high caries frequency, especially at the cementoenamel junction of crown and root, and a remarkably high antemortem tooth loss frequency. The cultural practice of coca-leaf chewing is implicated in the excessive posterior edentulism of the Maitas Chiribaya.
Langsjoen
O M
OM
Department of Pathology, University of Minnesota, Duluth School of Medicine 55812-2487, USA.
D000328:Adult; D002677:Chile; D003041:Coca; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history*; D005260:Female; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010161:Paleodontology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology; D018515:Plant Leaves; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D019217:Tooth Attrition / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology