Hi ya! How’s it going, eh? Ticking right along? Great. Swirl some coffee into your mug and grab a treat you can sink your teeth into. Speaking of teeth, yesterday we were talking about how cells regenerate. Well, the question comes to mind about teeth. Many people think teeth are bones. Actually, teeth are not bones. They are their own anatomical structures. Because of how hard they are, they are often referred to as being "bony", but that's to do with their strength, appearance and mineral content, and not to be confused with actual bone.
Starting from the inside and working outwards, teeth are made of pulp (the soft part where the blood supply and nerves are), the cementum (a bone-like tissue, not bone, that is where the tooth is anchored in the jaw), the dentin (mineralized connective tissue which is harder and protects the inner layers), and the enamel (the outside layer, which is made up mostly of minerals and which is the hardest substance in the human body).
Starting from the inside and working outwards, teeth are made of pulp (the soft part where the blood supply and nerves are), the cementum (a bone-like tissue, not bone, that is where the tooth is anchored in the jaw), the dentin (mineralized connective tissue which is harder and protects the inner layers), and the enamel (the outside layer, which is made up mostly of minerals and which is the hardest substance in the human body).
As mentioned yesterday, bone regenerates, but since teeth are not bone, they do not do that. Good dental care can slow tooth decay and loss, but it cannot reverse it. On the other hand, bones are constantly regenerating, as evidenced by the fact that a broken bone will mend itself, even if it is not set properly.
Your best bet for holding on to your natural teeth is to floss regularly and brush at least twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps fight off tooth decay. It’s a good idea to visit your dentist twice yearly for cleanings, and have any cavities or other problems taken care of promptly, to keep them from getting worse. While teeth do not regenerate, they can deteriorate quickly if you don’t take care of them. That's why it is important to do so. Dental problems, when left untreated, can cause all sorts of other problems.
Your best bet for holding on to your natural teeth is to floss regularly and brush at least twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps fight off tooth decay. It’s a good idea to visit your dentist twice yearly for cleanings, and have any cavities or other problems taken care of promptly, to keep them from getting worse. While teeth do not regenerate, they can deteriorate quickly if you don’t take care of them. That's why it is important to do so. Dental problems, when left untreated, can cause all sorts of other problems.
For example, it has long been known that the leading cause of heart infections (actual bacterial infection inside the heart) is oral infections which are not controlled promptly. Bet you didn’t know that fact, eh? Also, gum problems, which tend to be part of dental problems in general, have a great effect on the entire health of the body, and it is believed that they can be responsible for infections in other, remote areas, such as the stomach.
So there you go. Take care of your choppers so you can keep chewing on apples, steak and corn on the cob, eh!
See ya!
Bob
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