Abstract

Differences in dental caries prevalence between males and females is considered a reflection of diet. However, recent syntheses argue that sex-specific variation in dental caries prevalence also reflects changes in the oral cavity attributable to variation in reproductive life histories. This study explores sex-specific variation in carious lesions using a life history perspective to understand if differences in reproductive ecology influence this process. Survival probability between 860 males and females from the Terry Collection was compared using carious lesion manifestation (absent, crown presence, root/cemento-enamel junction [CEJ] presence) and sex as covariates and age as a time series variable. A four-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) comparing carious lesion type by sex, age, and periodontal disease presence was used to evaluate interaction between these variables. Individuals with carious lesions have greater survivorship than those without lesions. Males and females with crown lesions do not differ in survivorship from individuals without carious lesions. Females with root/CEJ lesions are characterized by the highest survivorship. A significant interaction was found for root/CEJ carious lesions by age, sex, and periodontal disease presence. Root/CEJ lesion formation in older males was not dependent upon periodontal disease presence, though dependence between these variables characterizes postmenopausal females. Sex-specific variation in crown lesions is not associated with reproductive life histories and likely reflects diet. By contrast, root/CEJ lesions form through pathways attributable to reproductive life histories, particularly age-induced periodontal disease in females. These results suggest the formation of carious lesions is complex, and in some cases, rooted in reproductive life histories.

Full Text

Published Version

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.