Jordi Juan-Tresserras writes:

"I am very interested in knowing, if it is possible, if anyone have
observed
some differences and characteristics of dental caries caused by
carbohydrates from acorns (with high and/or low levels of tannins)
and/or
cereal grains and pulses. Last day, we were discussing about this
subject
with Concha de la Rua (University of the Basque Country, Bilbao) and she
inform me about the possible relationship between acorn consumption and
cervical caries. Anyone know some information about it?

Cordially,"

        In central California, before it was colonized by European settlers,
the native Indian population utilized acorns as a staple part of their
diet for many thousands of years.   Turner (Turner CG.  Dental
anthropological indications of agriculture among the Jomon people of
central Japan. Am J Phys Anthrop 1979;51:619-36) reports in a sample of
289 teeth a caries rate of 2.4 %  in acorn eating central California
Indians which is slightly higher than the 1.6 % for the aggregate of
hunter-gatherers.   It is possible that the higher levels of tannins in
this food source may increase the rate of enamel erosion, however these
data indicate not much difference.


                                        Best Wishes,

                                        Loren