Mixing minimalist reggaetons, ballads with extremely sexual lyrics and flamenco of all colors on an album is something that could be considered unique to Rosalia. Motomami there is only one, yes. But if there is something in which the Catalan singer has not been so innovative, it has been in decorate your teeth with jewelry. After the release of their latest album we have seen the shiny beads with which a butterfly has been drawn right in the middle of their palettes. Perhaps that specific decoration is unique, but the use of precious stones (or imitations) to decorate the teeth is something ancient. Moreover, in some civilizations, such as that of the Mayans, even had a purpose beyond aesthetics. They could have served keep the mouth free from infections.
This is the conclusion of a study recently published in Journal of Archaeological Science: Reportsled by scientists from Mexico and the United States. In it, jeweled teeth from Mayan sites located in Belize, Honduras and Guatemala are analyzed. In all of them it can be seen that the stones were placed with great dexterity. Possibly these cities had people who worked as experienced dentists. In fact, you just have to see that the jewels are still practically intact in the teeth, despite all the years that have passed. But, in addition, the cement that was used to stick them has medicinal properties very interesting.
The recipe for obtaining it varies slightly from one country to another, depending on what they had at their disposal. But in general in any case the stones stuck to the teeth with plant-based resinswith a great antimicrobial power.
Healthy and jeweled teeth
The first fact that caught the attention of the authors of this new study is that the people who had jewelry placed on their teeth came from different social classes. Contrary to what one might expect, they were not all upper class.
If the only purpose was ostentation, it would be something peculiar. But actually it seems like it was more of a kind of dental treatment. These jewels were placed on the teeth in a more or less extended way to protect them from infections.
And it is that between 150 molecules detected when analyzing the fixing cement of the stones, several stand out that lead us to think about this objective. For example, there are a lot of pine tar, known for its possible antibacterial power. Also sclareolide, a compound that has both antibacterial and antifungal properties. Also, there was oils from plants of the mint family, which is associated with an anti-inflammatory effect. A combination of all of these could be very effective in preventing tooth infections. At least theoretically speaking.
But in reality these scientists would not have reached such a conclusion if it were not for the background exposed by other studies on the Mayan culture.
Experienced Mayan Dentists
In this same study, its authors verified that the teeth drilling to place the jewels were made without affecting nerves or blood vessels. At least not in most cases. The gems were perfectly fixed to the teeth without causing injuries, so they were placed by someone with a lot of experience.
But it is not the first time that such detailed dental work has been found in Mayan archaeological remains. It has also been seen that they filed their teeth and that, at least apparently, they were extracted when there were cavities. Therefore, to think that the placement of jewels was only aesthetic, in the purest style of Rosalía, is to fall short.
It could be said that his dentists killed two birds with one stone. They adorned the teeth and in the process protected them. Did you think that we were currently very modern for putting on relatively aesthetic dental appliances? Hold me the saká (typical Mayan drink).