The human body is remarkable and possesses unique healing abilities. The body repairs and regenerates tissues in order to fully recover from injuries and prevent the body from getting infected. This isn’t only peculiar to injury like cuts on the body. The body also heals broken bones and this just shows the resilient nature of the body.
However, this complex biological process of self repair mechanism has an exception which is the teeth. Teeth are a very functional part of the body that help us to speak and eat properly. But once the tooth is damaged, it cannot heal itself. They work tirelessly in the body, yet they don’t have the ability to regenerate and heal themselves unlike other body parts. Why is that so?
Why Does Teeth Have Limited Regeneration?
The parts of the body that regenerate tissues and heal themselves have special cells that help them in repair. Each part of the body has its own regenerating cells. For instance, the bone has a cell called osteoblasts which are responsible for bone formation and repair. Skin cells on the other hand, divide continuously and replace damaged or dead cells.
However, the teeth have a unique structure. The inner layer consists of two components namely: pulp and dentin. The dentin is a layer of tissue below the enamel that consists of microscopic tubules that extend to the pulp, much like a plant root extending far into the ground.
But these tubules contain fluid and nerve fibers that cause the tooth to be sensitive to temperature changes. Just like the skin cell divides to repair damaged cells, dentin can produce a limited amount of new dentin called the reparative dentin.
Fun Fact About Enamel
The enamel protects the teeth from pressure experienced during chewing and also from the decay caused by bacteria. However, the enamel doesn’t have any living cells responsible for regeneration. This is because it is mainly composed of minerals, specifically hydroxyapatite, which makes it extremely hard and durable.
How To Protect The Teeth
Given that the enamel cannot repair itself, good dental hygiene should be indispensable in your routine. We’re talking about regular brushing of the teeth, flossing the teeth to remove plaque and food particles. Also, you should go in for a dental checkup every now and then.
Bottom Line
Teeth are the only part of the body that cannot repair itself. They work tirelessly in the body, yet they don’t have the ability to regenerate and heal themselves unlike other body parts. This is because the enamel has no living cells that can aid in regeneration of new tissues. Therefore, you need to keep your teeth healthy by maintaining good dental hygiene, in order to prevent the enamel from wearing out.
