How Ancient Romans Had Better Gum Health Than We Do Today

We live in the golden age of dental hygiene. We have electric toothbrushes that sync to our smartphones, charcoal-infused dental floss, and minty mouthwashes that promise to kill 99% of bacteria.

Yet, dental researchers have uncovered a humbling truth: ancient Romans actually had significantly healthier gums than we do.

A landmark study published in the British Dental Journal looked closely at 303 Roman-British skulls dating from 200 to 400 AD. Led by researchers Theyona Raitapuro-Murray, Theya I. Molleson, and Francis J. Hughes, the paper—titled "The prevalence of periodontal disease in a Romano-British population c. 200-400 AD"—reveals exactly how these ancient people maintained superior gum health without a single tube of toothpaste.

The Shocking Dental Divide

When the research team examined the skulls excavated from an archaeological burial ground in Poundbury, Dorset, they expected to find rampant dental decay and gum disease. After all, these people lived nearly 2,000 years before the invention of modern dentistry.

Instead, they found a surprising disparity:

Metric	Ancient Romans (200–400 AD)	Modern Humans
Moderate-to-Severe Gum Disease	5%	15% to 50%
Access to Dentists	No	High
Use of Toothbrushes/Floss	No, but Sticks & twigs	High

The Dental Paradox: Despite having absolutely no access to dental hygiene products, professional cleanings, or fluoridated water, ancient Romans were significantly less likely to suffer from chronic progressive gum disease (periodontitis) than we are today.

How Did the Romans Have Better Gum Health?

If the Romans weren't brushing and flossing, how did they keep gum disease at bay? The researchers concluded it wasn't a matter of luck, their superior gum health was a direct byproduct of their lifestyle and environment.

• They Were Smoke-Free: Tobacco smoking is one of the leading contributors to gum disease today because it restricts blood flow to the gums, weakens the immune response, and impairs healing. The Romans lived long before tobacco was introduced to Europe.

• They Had Virtually No Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is a major modern risk factor that greatly increases the risk and severity of periodontitis. Thanks to an active lifestyle and a lack of processed foods, diabetes was likely exceedingly rare in Roman Britain.

• Their Diet Had No Refined Sugars: While they consumed honey on occasion, their diet lacked the highly processed, refined sugars that feed modern, plaque-producing bacteria.

The Catch: It Wasn't All Perfect Smiles

Before you throw your toothbrush in the trash, it is worth noting that while their gums were incredibly healthy, the Romans didn't have perfect teeth. In fact, they suffered from dental issues that would make most of us cringe.

Because their grains were ground using stone mills, their flour was filled with tiny bits of grit and sand. This coarse diet acted like sandpaper, wearing down their teeth rapidly from a very young age.

This severe tooth wear exposed the inner nerves, leading to:

• Painful chronic infections

• Severe dental abscesses

• Tooth loss (about half of the skulls examined had tooth decay)

They may have had strong, disease-free gums, but many of them were likely chewing through a lot of daily discomfort.

What We Can Learn From the Romans

The Roman-British skulls offer a fascinating lesson in systemic health. Gum health isn't just about how hard you brush; it is deeply connected to how we treat our bodies as a whole.

To get the best of both worlds, the healthy gums of a Roman and the pain-free, intact teeth of a modern human, we should focus on the core habits champion by modern health organizations. According to the Mayo Clinicvrc and the American Dental Association (ADA), we can protect our smiles by:

1. Limiting refined sugars that fuel harmful mouth bacteria.

2. Avoiding smoking, which severely compromises gum tissue health.

3. Keeping up with modern dental care to prevent the wear, decay, and infections that the Romans unfortunately had to endure.

Read the Original Research

To dive deeper into the science, you can access the full study via The British Dental Journal

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical or dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or dental condition.