Ancient humans didn’t need braces. So why do we?

What’s Happening

So basically Short answer: Blame your food.

The post Ancient humans didn’t need braces. Appeared first on Popular Science. (yes, really)

Blame applesauce for why you needed braces.

The Details

Image: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Get the Popular Science daily 💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Today braces are something of a rite of passage.

But for hundreds of thousands of years, our ancient ancestors didn’t need them. On a new episode of the Ask Us Anything podcast, we explore just that.

Why This Matters

So, : The answer has actually nothing to do with teeth—and everything to do with what we eat. Popular Science ’s Ask Us Anything podcast answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions—from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. So, yes, pregnancy changes your body forever and no, water picks clutched’t damage tooth enamel .

This could have implications for future research in this area.

Key Takeaways

• If you have a question for us, send us a note .
• We love answering weird questions.
• This episode is based on the Popular Science article “ Why our ancestors had straight teeth without braces .

The Bottom Line

Youre a preteen and already riddled with anxiety. Then add on braces plus headgear that Id also have to wear at sleepovers.

Sound off in the comments.