Since teeth are bones, can they regenerate?
For example, if someone neglected to take care of their teeth, could the enamel regenerate and could cavities heal (the enamel and/or the actual tooth) if one would get into the habit of good oral hygiene. I’ve always wondered about this. If so, what kinds of supplements would be most benificial? I have had a small cavity, for about year since I noticed it, at it appears to be getting smaller. What does an actual tooth consist of overall? I mean like enamel, bone, root etc.
The more detailed answer, the better. Any further info related to this would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Great answer Bronwen, this is the kind of answer that I always look for. It seems some people just read the question and not the details. I guess I should have asked something like, “Since teeth are similar to bone, can they regenerate as bones do?” Meaning to say I learn from all the answers. However, calling someone a “retard” is a two point strategy. I came here to learn not to have people sling crap at me. Yahoo is a good place not only to get good advice and various input, from people that know something, but sometimes people point out links. Sometimes I just can find what I’m looking for, and genuine people who answer with thorough info save me a lot of time. And yes, whether anyone believes it or not, my cavity is getting smaller. My dentist noticed as well (I didn’t have the $ to have it filled during my check-up), and is reluctant to fill it as he wants to see what will happen. There is no food stuck in it. I take great care of my teeth, I just have this one tiny cavity.
So, it seems that cementum cannot regenerate, but can dentin and/or enamel (surface cavities) regenerate?
As I mentioned, it is tiny, and it is getting smaller. This is a fact.
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July 18th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
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Teeth are not bones. Teeth are teeth. Bones are bones.
July 19th, 2009 at 2:38 am
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Teeth are not bone. Teeth can not regenerate. They can some what recover from past bad treatment but it takes a very long time. Gums are just as important as the teeth. Look on the internet for the structure of teeth to find all the science of teeth.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:24 am
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teeth is the only part of our body that cannot regenerate..u should take care of it with brush it after u eat and before go to bed..and also dont use mouthwash..it affect your mouth ecosystem
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
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Your cavity isn’t getting smaller, you got food stuck in it. I think maybe you should take yourself to the dentist…PS. If your dentist does not recommend filling your cavity, then he is a QUACK!!!
July 26th, 2009 at 12:17 am
oral hygiene
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 bony, meaning bone-like, NOT bone, tissue which is where the tooth is anchored in the jaw), the dentin (a kind of mineralized connective tissue which is a bit 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).
One of the hallmarks of teeth is that they do no regenerate. You are correct in your assertion that 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 original pearly whites is to floss regularly and brush at least twice daily with a fluoride toothpase, as fluoride helps combat tooth decay. Also, see your dentist twice yearly for cleanings, and have any cavities or other problems taken care of promptly, to keep them from getting worse. As I noted above, teeth do not regenerate, but they certainly will deteriorate at an amazing rate if you aren’t careful. That’s why it is important to take as good a care as possible with them. 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. I have had heart surgery, so I have to take antibiotics forever when I have even a simple dental cleaning. They are also finding that 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.
I hope that helps clarify things for you.
July 29th, 2009 at 1:04 am
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Alas, teeth can’t regenerate damaged parts. Once you have a cavity, it is not going to heal itself or even get smaller. Your best bet, as others have mentioned, is to get into a regimen of good home care, a diet low in sugars and starchy carbohydrates, and regular professional care.
However, an exciting topic in stem cell research is organ regeneration, and this has extended to regeneration of teeth. The groundwork is being laid now, so perhaps our grandchildren will be able to benefit from this amazing possibility!
See the link below for more info.