Cripple

The Romans took oral health and bad breath very seriously – halitosis(bad mouth) was as crippling a social and romantic disability in ancient Rome as it is today. Yet, X-rays of their skulls show teeth and gums in remarkably good condition. In fact, it appears that Romans had an incidence of gum disease that was five times lower than that of Britons of the twentieth century. So how did the Romans manage it?

In part, the answer comes down to two things – smoking and refined sugar. The Romans didn’t have tobacco or highly-processed sugars – both of which are terrible for teeth. Romans of all classes had a healthy diet, which was close to what we today call the ‘Mediterranean diet’ – heavy on grains and fresh vegetables and low on meat and preservatives. This, combined with a largely outdoor lifestyle, contributed greatly to a healthy immune system, which in turn helped maintain healthy gums.