In France, bioarcheological research has long overlooked the early and late modern periods, which witnessed major transformations impacting population structure and leading to the dawn of modern industrialized societies. Two recently excavated large cemeteries in Provence present a unique opportunity to investigate on a large scale the impact on health and living conditions brought about by the Industrial Revolution and consequently track health status changes from the 16th to the early 20th century. The sample includes 642 individuals from the early modern cemetery of Saint-Jacques, La Ciotat (1581-1831) and the late modern cemetery of Les Crottes, Marseille (1784-1905). This study aims to document dental health markers and compare the results between both assemblages, considering antemortem tooth loss, wear, caries, abscesses, calculus, periodontitis and linear enamel hypoplasia. The available archaeological and historical sources for these recent periods provide a full documentation in which to interpret and discuss the biological analysis, thus enabling an inclusive bioarcheological approach. Results: revealed similarities between both samples. Differences are more subtle than expected and are seen through the increase in carious lesions and in linear enamel hypoplasia. The former seem to indicate changes in diet with the introduction of new foodstuffs and manufacturing processes during the Industrial Revolution. The latter could reflect the increase in early childhood stress, perhaps due to new feeding practices around weaning and breastfeeding or a poorly diversified diet. Finally, the increasing number of stress events could suggest a noxious sanitary and infectious environment. During the 19th century, Marseille experienced strong demographic and urban growth, resulting in overcrowded areas where sanitation facilities were insufficient or absent. Moreover, the activity of this important trading seaport might have promoted the transmission and appearance of epidemic diseases despite scientific and medical advances, which would have a real impact only from the 20th century onwards.