Stone age human remains from Morocco show signs of the earliest known cases of tooth decay that might have affected a large part of the Stone Age population over 13 thousand years ago.

Human remains from over 13 thousand years ago found in modern day Morocco show signs of the earliest known cases of tooth decay, and just like today, sugary carbohydrates appear to be the cause.

Dental health became a large problem when ancient humans transitioned to an agricultural society, but the new research shows that the carbohydrate rich diets of earlier hunter-gatherers also caused tooth decay.

Remains of 52 skeletons were dug up over a ten year period in the Grotte des Pigeons complex at Taforalt in Morocco and their teeth analyzed.

Every one of the remains except three skulls had some signs of tooth decay, and researchers think that a diet of sweet acorns, pine nuts, and pistachios coupled with poor dental hygiene encouraged the formation of tooth rotting bacteria.

There is evidence that the group of humans from this time period did practice tooth removal, but experts doubt if it was for dental health purposes.

More than half of the teeth still in the skulls showed signs of decay or cavities.

Cavities are common with a modern diet that is high in sugar, and now it appears tooth decay was also widespread among Stone Age people who foraged for food.