In this week’s edition of the “Weekly Dentistry Update” we’ll be talking about a study done on baby teeth that could one day help identify kids who may be at risk of developing mental disorders in their life time. This study was run by researchers at the University of Bristol and tested 70 different subjects. These teeth could possibly help psychologists get an understanding of any prior life-changing trials and tribulations a child may go through early on in their lives that could lead to mental health disorders. The goal of the study is to hopefully one day use the findings to then provide preventatives to help children grow up and live normal lives.

How do the teeth tell the story?

The teeth have different growth patterns as a child grows to the point that they will fall out. If a child were to have suffered from some sort of physical stress like some sort of disease, or nutritional deficiency the teeth would have a specific growth pattern. This growth pattern would leave large, grooved lines called stress lines. In particular doctors studied the neonatal line of the children in relation to the mother’s psychological state. Amongst the subjects, mothers who experienced psychological stresses throughout, before, and after the pregnancy the children had a wider neonatal line on the teeth. Hopefully with more research, and a larger study, this theory could be used to prevent mental health issues at a young age.

The neonatal line in a toddler’s teeth tell a story like the rings in a tree stump

Provided below is the link to the article by ScienceDaily

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211110104603.htm