Do you remember your first baby tooth falling out? For some of us, it was frightening and painful, while others got a nice gift from the Tooth Fairy.
Some parents keep their children’s teeth afterward. While keeping your kids’ teeth may sound strange, we’ve found a reason why it may be worth doing.
We at have various stories about losing our baby teeth. Today, we’d like to present you with a scientific reason why it might be worth preserving your kids’ teeth.
1Why you need to keep teeth for dental cells
Scientists are recommending that a child’s milk teeth should not be thrown away. It could be preserved for treating serious health issues in the future. The teeth can be sourced from dental stem cells which can even save your child’s life.
Image Source: areadentalclinic.com
2What are dental stem cells?
Stem cells are different from other cells in the body. Your body consists of several thousand cells. The cells are all divided into three major groups such as red blood cells, muscle cells, and nerve cells. There are also other branches of human cells in the body. But before these can grow into fully functional cells, they are first stem cells. It is these stem cells that grow into the respective types of cells.
Image Source: slidesharecdn.com
3Stem cells can regenerate into new tissue
Stem cells are capable of renewing themselves and even transforming themselves into even more special type of cells. These can repair and replace various tissues and organs. According to the national institute of health, stem cell technology is the most promising frontier of medical technology and research.
Image Source: netdna-ssl.com
4They can treat disease
Because of their regenerative capabilities, stem cells have great potential in treating diabetes, and heart disease. However, research is still underway to study stem cells and find even more innovative ways to use them as regenerative medicine.
Image Source: techspirit.in
5Where can we take stem cells from?
Stem cells consist of two basic types. Embryonic and adult. While embryonic stem cells can only be harvested from human embryos, adult cells are found in bone marrow (the spongy substance found in bones) and the umbilical cord. Scientists have now discovered that the pulp of baby teeth also contain stem cells with regenerative properties. In fact, studies have found that at least one to two dozen stem cells reside in baby teeth.
How to store teeth for stem cells
Blood cells grow and develop in a sponge-like part of the bone called bone marrow. Stem cells can be taken from teeth as well as other parts of the bone. Remember, teeth should be properly stored to become useful. Doctors and scientists use several kinds of technology to preserve and later produce stem cells.
Image Source: www.dentistrytoday.com
7How stem cells can help
As mentioned earlier, stem cells can actually reproduce different types of cells in the body. They can also be used to fight cancer. Ongoing studies are presently trying to find out the potential of stem cells to treat diseases and conditions like heart Infraction.
Image Source: agoramedia.com
8How are dental stem cells preserved?
First, you need to make an appointment with a dentist. There are several agencies promoting the preservation of dental stem cells. Just as in cord blood stem cells, dental stem cells can also be preserved in stem cell banks. Once you contact a reliable company for storing your child’s dental stem cells, they may send a kit to your dentist.
The procedure has to take place when the tooth is about to fall out or loose. The dentist will extract the loose tooth and place it in the storage kit which will nourish the stem cells while en route to a facility, or laboratory. The lab will make an assessment to see which cells present in the tooth are ok for preserving. The dental cells once chosen will be cryogenically preserved by stem cell storage technology.
Image Source: www.royaninstitute.org
9Are there any disadvantages to storing dental stem cells?
The only disadvantage of storing both stem cells and dental stem cells is the cost factor which does not come cheap. However, if you consider the future benefits, then it may be worth a consideration. Storage facilities may vary from company to company.
The biggest question that people face regarding stem cell storage is if they will work or not. Do the benefits justify the costs? At present, it is too early to speak for or against stem cell treatment because research is still going on.
Image Source: theconversation.com
10A new study proves stem cell can produce dentin in decayed teeth
In a very new study involving dentin production from stem cells, scientists are working on a new medicine called Tideglusib that stimulates stem cells within decayed teeth to produce dentin to fill a cavity after the decayed material has been removed by dentists. Instead of filling with conventional filing, doctors will rely on the medicine for stem cell regeneration of dentin. The drug is scheduled for human trials and will be a step forward in proving the effectiveness of stem cell therapy.
Image
EmoticonEmoticon