Gina Heslop
Many parents simply throw away their child’s baby teeth once they fall out, but scientists are now suggesting that keeping them might be a good idea.
Research has found that baby teeth contain stem cells, which could one day help regrow tissues, repair damaged cells, and even treat diseases. This process is called tooth banking, and while it is still in its early stages, it has sparked interest among researchers and parents alike.
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are special cells in the body that can transform into different types of cells, such as muscle, bone, or nerve cells. They help the body repair itself and are used in medical treatments for various diseases.
There are two main types of stem cells:
• Embryonic stem cells, which come from early-stage embryos.
• Adult stem cells, which are found in certain tissues like bone marrow and baby teeth.
The stem cells found in baby teeth are known as SHED cells (Stem cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous teeth).
According to Dr. Pamela Robey, a leading researcher, these SHED cells can produce dentin (a hard tissue found in teeth) and may also be useful for bone regeneration.
Can Baby Teeth Stem Cells Be Used for Medical Treatments?
Although scientists believe baby teeth stem cells have great potential, research is still in its early stages. Some possible future applications include:
• Regenerating dental pulp (the soft tissue inside teeth).
• Growing an entirely new tooth from stem cells.
• Repairing cells damaged by chemotherapy or disease.
• Treating blood-related diseases like leukemia and lymphoma (although this hasn’t been tested yet).
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry President, Dr. Jade Miller, believes this research will lead to major medical advancements in the future. He encourages parents to consider saving their child’s baby teeth so they may have future health options.
How Does Tooth Banking Work?
Because of this potential, companies have started offering tooth banking services. The process involves:
1. Extracting the tooth’s stem cells at a laboratory.
2. Growing the cells in a controlled environment.
3. Freezing them (cryopreservation) for possible future use.
Companies like Store-A-Tooth and ToothBank offer these services, but they come with a high price. Store-A-Tooth, for example, charges $1,747 upfront and $120 per year for storage.
Should Parents Save Their Child’s Baby Teeth?
Experts are divided on whether tooth banking is worth it right now. Dr. Robey believes the technology isn’t advanced enough yet to make stem cells from baby teeth a practical medical tool. However, she doesn’t rule out the possibility that future breakthroughs could make them very useful.
One encouraging study in 2018 at the University of Pennsylvania showed that dental tissue could be regenerated using stem cells from baby teeth. While this is a promising step, most researchers agree that more studies are needed before tooth banking becomes widely recommended.
The Future of Stem Cell Research
Although baby teeth stem cells aren’t commonly used in medicine today, the science is progressing quickly.
Since stem cells have already been used to regrow bone, skin, and even parts of organs, it’s possible that baby teeth stem cells could eventually be used to regrow teeth, repair injuries, or even fight diseases.
For now, parents who choose to store their child’s baby teeth must consider the costs and the fact that the technology may not be ready for many years.
However, as research continues, baby teeth could one day become a valuable medical resource, helping people heal in ways we can’t yet imagine.
