{"id":413,"date":"2023-07-28T19:34:09","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T19:34:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.antoonfamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=413"},"modified":"2026-04-03T20:43:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T20:43:47","slug":"how-teeth-have-evolved-over-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.antoonfamilydental.com\/blog\/how-teeth-have-evolved-over-time\/","title":{"rendered":"How Have Teeth Evolved Over Time?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"An<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Despite what you might think, modern teeth<\/a> haven’t always looked or felt as they do now. They only took their current form after many years of evolution. Humanity’s ancestors thus had different grins from what people have now. All that said, you may wonder just how teeth have evolved over time. Well, your local Plano dentist can give you a better idea. Here’s a brief history of human tooth development and some ways to protect modern teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Then: Long Jaws, Large Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Humans\u2019 early ancestors first emerged approximately seven million years ago. However, these individuals didn\u2019t have teeth like our own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Really, the early ancestors\u2019 looks were similar to those of chimps. For one thing, their jaws were long and led to projecting faces. They also had parallel tooth rows with large teeth, including pointed canines and prominent molars. Despite these features, though, such pearly whites held little enamel. This fact likely stems from how the ancestors mainly ate fruits and soft buds of trees and shrubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now: Short Jaws, Small Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As millennia passed, humans\u2019 direct ancestors saw shifts in their food and environment. (They expanded their diet to include other animals, etc.) These changes eventually led to the kind of teeth seen today, especially third molars or \u201cwisdom teeth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More modern grins started appearing around 250,000 years ago. At that time, our direct ancestors had very short jaws and pointed chins for added strength. Those led to smaller teeth with a thicker enamel layer arranged in a parabolic arc. They also resulted in a vertical (rather than projecting) face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Keep Modern Teeth Safe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, it isn\u2019t just human teeth that evolved. Humanity\u2019s oral care methods and knowledge have also developed. That being the case, stick to the following tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n