Modern dentistry could learn a few lessons in bling from the Mayans – as they stuck colourful gemstones made of jade and turquoise on their teeth.

But the stones were not just for decoration. The adhesive used by the ancient people to affix the stones may have had therapeutic benefits, according to a recent study.

Research led by Gloria Hernández-Bolio from Cinvestav, Mexico, found that some of the sealants had antibacterial properties.

The biochemist and her colleagues at Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Harvard University and Brown University, analysed the sealants in eight teeth found in burial sites across the Maya empire, dated between 200 and 900 C.E.

They identified 150 organic molecules that are commonly found in plant resins in the samples, used for their water-repelling and glue-like properties.

Eight Ancient Maya teeth were analysed in the study that found the sealant used to affix the gemstones had antibacterial and antifungal properties

Left: X-ray microscopy image of tooth and gemstone showing different colours according to density, and light blue hues represent an organic layer that acts as the adhesive. Right: Graph showing frequency of elements found in the tooth, which displays a high abundance of iron

The indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica believed their breath was a link to the divine, so polished and filled their teeth with precious gemstones to ‘purify’ it

The indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica believed their breath was a link to the divine, so polished and filled their teeth to ‘purify’ it.

Their dentists would drill holes through the enamel and into the dentine before affixing gemstones with a durable sealant.

Previous analyses of the adhesive in 1971 found inorganic materials similar to cement, and hydroxyapaтιтe, a mineral obtained from ground teeth and bones.

These helped to strengthen the adhesive, but would not have provided any stickiness.

Hernández-Bolio found that many of the sealants that affixed the jade, turquoise, or pyrite stones included ingredients from pine trees.

Research suggests the pine tree extract can fight the bacteria that causes tooth decay, and helped maintain the oral health of the ancient people from what is now Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico.

Two of the teeth showed evidence of sclareolide, a compound found in Salvia plants that has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Sclareolide is used today as an aroma fixative in fragrances, but has also been marketed as a weight loss supplement.

The scientists determined that the sealants’ contents varied based on location, suggesting that local pracтιтioners developed their own recipes.

Stone adhesives from the outer Copán region, near the border of Honduras and Guatemala, included essential oils from mint plants that potentially have an anti-inflammatory effect.

‘Each ingredient has a specific task,’ Hernández-Bolio told Science.org.

Researchers identified 150 organic molecules that are commonly found in plant resins in the samples, used for their water-repelling and glue-like properties

A: Taxonomy of eight generic volumes of dental voids B: Taxonomy of eight generic volumes of dental voids C: Five generic surface contours of embedded stones

Skull of 1,600-year-old woman wearing a prosthetic lower tooth made of a green stone called serpentine discovered near Mexico’s ancient ruins of Teotihuacan

Maya people still use these plants for medicinal purposes today, so the ancient people may well have been aware of their effects.

The Maya king of Palenque, Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal, is thought to have died in 612 C.E. at the age of 80 with all of his teeth still intact and no signs of decay.

However, the impressive gnashers found in his tomb in southern Mexico were in such a good condition that they could have belonged to a man 40 years younger.

This has led some to question whether the bones in the tomb are really his at all.

But others have suggested that the king had access to softer, less abrasive food than the average person, so that his teeth naturally acquired less wear.

Bioarcheologist and co-author co-Vera Tiesler believes it could also be a testament to the Mayan peoples excellent dental care.