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Stem cell cryopreservation may sound like science fiction, but I assure you it is not. According to scientists, baby teeth contain stem cells that help regenerate various parts of the body. So one day, these tiny teeth could save lives. Some parents have taken this to heart and have started saving their children’s teeth for the future. This is called tooth preservation .
What are stem cells?
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Stem cells are the cells from which every organ and tissue in our body begins to develop. They are distinguished by their ability to regenerate, divide, and repair the human body. There are two main sources of stem cells ( 1 ):
Embryos: Formed during the blastocyst phase of embryological development, also called embryonic stem cells.
Adult tissue, also called adult stem cells
Both are characterized by their power and potential to transform into other types of cells, such as muscle or bone. The stem cells found in baby teeth are known as SHED cells and have slightly different properties than other types of cells. “SHED cells appear to produce not only dentin, but also something that looks like bone,” says Dr. Pamela Robey, chief of the craniofacial and skeletal diseases branch at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. ( 2 )
Read more: Kanye West has $850,000 ‘titanium teeth’ and they’re permanent
Biological Insurance
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Baby teeth are a source of stem cells like bone marrow and can be saved as a form of biological insurance. That said, scientists, doctors and dentists are still divided on whether or not it is worth doing so now.
“At this point, I don’t think it’s a logical approach. That’s my personal opinion,” says Dr. Robey. “That doesn’t mean that in the future someone might find a method that would be very beneficial for them” (3).
Potential applications of stem cells include (2, 3):
Dental pulp regeneration
Complete tooth regeneration
Repairing cells damaged by chemotherapy or disease
Treating blood-related diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and multiple myeloma
Stem cells from baby teeth have not yet been actually tested on the last two items on this list, but that doesn’t mean they might be in the future. (4)
“The science is strong enough to show that this is not science fiction,” said Dr. Jade Miller, president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. “There will be a significant application, and I want to give my grandchildren the opportunity to benefit from these options.”
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