Biorhythms in primary teeth associated with weight gain during adolescence

Biorhythms in primary teeth associated with weight gain during adolescence

Research led by the University of Kent has found evidence of a circadian rhythm in human baby teeth that is linked to weight gain during adolescence.

An international research team led by Dr. Patrick Mahoney at the Kent School of Anthropology and Conservation discovered biorhythms in primary “milk” molars (Retzius periodicity). [RP]) refers to aspects of physical development in early adolescence. A faster dental biorhythm led to lower weight and mass gains.

RP forms through a circadian process that occurs with a recurrence interval that can be measured with a resolution of days. The rhythm refers to the period of time during which tooth enamel forms and is consistent in the permanent molars of individuals who show no signs of developmental stress. Human modal RP has a cycle of almost seven days, but can vary between five and 12 days.

The first study published by Nature Communications Medicine found that adolescents with a faster biorhythm (five- or six-day cycle) weighed less, gained the least weight, and had the smallest change in their body mass index over 14-month compared to those with a slower biorhythm. Those with a slow biorhythm (cycle of seven or eight days) produced the greatest weight gain.

Dental histologists have known about biological rhythm for over 100 years, but its importance to body mass and growth has recently become apparent in studies comparing mammalian species. Research is now focusing on the importance of rhythm for humans.

A surprising finding was that participants with slower biorhythms were six times more likely to have a very high body mass index. Rapid change in height is a natural consequence of adolescence, but excessive weight gain during puberty can have far-reaching health consequences, such as: B. Adult obesity.

Dr. Mahoney said, "This research is an exciting first step. The next step is to determine whether the association we discovered extends to related health outcomes in adults. Potentially, primary teeth may retain this information for many years before these findings manifest in adults."

Our findings provide a new avenue to examine the associations between overweight children and adult health risks. Baby teeth naturally shed (fall out) during childhood. These discarded teeth contain precise information about a fundamental growth rhythm that we now know tracks adolescent weight gain.”

Dr. Gina McFarlane, project histologist (also based in Kent)

Source:

University of Kent

Reference:

Mahoney, P., et al. (2022) Dental biorhythms are associated with weight gain in adolescents. Communication medicine. doi.org/10.1038/s43856-022-00164-x.

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