People of the ancient Maya culture perhaps had some of the fanciest grinning in human history , often ornament their dentition with colourful and precious jewels and rare metals , from volcanic obsidian glass and vibrant light-green hussy to gleam gold .
A new study , print in theJournal of Archaeological Science : study , has taken a look at this challenging practice and concluded that it might not just have been an aesthetic option or a display of wealth – the hefty sealer used to bandage the precious Stone to the tooth may have also reduced the peril of oral infections and improved dental health .
Scientists at Mexico ’s Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute studied eight teeth from the 1st millennia CE find in mod - day Honduras , Guatemala , and Belize to instruct more about the material used to “ glue ” the inlays onto the tooth .
Clearly , this was a strong adhesive . The teeth date to the Classic Maya Period ( from close to 250 cerium to 900 CE ) and the inlays are still tightly attach to the tooth . Beyond this military strength , it also see like the sealer might have also contained constituent compound that held some antiseptic value .
“ Using choose vegetal resins or all-important oils in the dental sealing could well provide the antibacterial , fungicidal , and anti - seditious activities , necessary to ensure successful discourse and thus prolong the lifetime of the inlay in the mouths of their human carrier , ” the author write .
The sealant was composed of some 150 constitutional molecule that are commonly found in industrial plant rosin . For instance , one of these compounds is sclareolide , anatural merchandise derived fromSalvia plants that is known to haveantibacterial properties . Another is camphor , a waxy solid that can be applied as a topical medication to treat hemipteron chomp and skin irritation . Even today , you’re able to detect camphor in a variety of skincare lotions andbath product due to its soothing properties .
Interestingly , it appear that these flashy dental accessories were not only worn by the moneyed elite group as a tatty exhibit of wealth or social prowess .
" Two soul were recovered from a formal grave or crypt , though the want of prestigiousness offerings direct associate with these individuals suggests they were not of regal status . Another five individuals were from wide-eyed internments and likely reflect mortal of comparatively small-scale societal standing . An extra tooth from Holmul had been part of an offering , " the discipline author write .
" While the blend were both complex and good in provide long - lasting dental obturations , the mortuary context of use of the person sampled indicate these were not elect individuals but that instead , a unspecific swathe of Maya club benefit from the expertness of the mortal who manufactured these cementum . "
