A collaborative study conducted by the University of Gothenburg’s Insтιтute of Odontology and Västergötland’s Museum uncovered evidence of widespread caries, tooth modifications, and even attempts at dental treatment in the Viking Age population in Varnhem, Sweden.

The findings, published in the journal PLOS ONE, challenge previous ᴀssumptions about the sophistication of dentistry during the Viking Age. The research team, led by dentist and ᴀssociate Researcher Carolina Bertilsson, analyzed 3,293 teeth from 171 individuals.

A filed hole from the crown of the tooth into the pulp – a procedure that reduces toothache and infection. Credit: Carolina Bertilsson

Varnhem, known for its extensive excavations of Viking and medieval environments, including well-preserved skeletons and teeth, became the focal point of this research.

The results of the study indicate that nearly half (49%) of the Viking population in Varnhem had one or more caries lesions. Among adults, 13% experienced caries, often affecting the roots of their teeth. Notably, children with milk teeth or a combination of milk and adult teeth were entirely free of caries, suggesting a potential protective factor during early life.

Tooth loss was a common phenomenon among adults, with an average of 6% of their teeth lost, excluding wisdom teeth, over their lifetimes. The risk of tooth loss increased with age, highlighting the challenges the Viking population faced in maintaining their oral health as they grew older.

1) Signs of tooth picking in the lower incisors, 2) Filed front teeth, 3) Signs of habitual wear of the central incisors, and 4) Modified central incisor with fistulated apical infection. Credit: Carolina Bertilsson, PLos ONE (2023)

Carolina Bertilsson emphasized the prevalence of dental issues among the Vikings, stating, “There were several signs that the Vikings had modified their teeth, including evidence of using toothpicks, filing front teeth, and even dental treatment of teeth with infections.”

One intriguing discovery was the identification of molars with filed holes, extending from the crown of the tooth into the pulp. This practice, resembling modern dental procedures, was likely employed to relieve pressure and alleviate severe toothache resulting from infection. Bertilsson expressed excitement about this finding, drawing parallels to contemporary dental practices: “This is very exciting to see, and not unlike the dental treatments we carry out today when we drill into infected teeth.”

The study also revealed gender-specific patterns, with instances of filed front teeth primarily found in males. Bertilsson said: “The filed front teeth may have been a form of idenтιтy marker. In both this and previous studies, the cases found were male.”

Toothpick use, evidenced by abrasions, was another practice observed among the Viking population, indicating a proactive approach to dental hygiene. The deliberate and skillful modification of front teeth through filing, observed in a male aged between 35 and 50, raises questions about the cultural significance of this practice.

While acknowledging the advancements in Viking dentistry revealed by the study, Bertilsson highlighted the need for further research to determine whether these procedures were performed by the individuals themselves or with ᴀssistance.

The interdisciplinary collaboration between the University of Gothenburg’s Insтιтute of Odontology and Västergötland’s Museum played a crucial role in unraveling these dental mysteries. All examinations were conducted in Gothenburg, where the skulls and teeth were transported for clinical and X-ray examinations.

Bertilsson emphasized the significance of the study, stating: “This study provides new insights into Viking oral health and indicates that teeth were important in Varnhem’s Viking culture. It also suggests that dentistry in the Viking Age was probably more sophisticated than previously thought.”

More information: Bertilsson C, Vretemark M, Lund H, Lingström P .(2023). Caries prevalence and other dental pathological conditions in Vikings from Varnhem, Sweden. PLoS ONE 18(12): e0295282. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295282