It would not be wrong to say that skin damage caused by friction, bone fractures caused by impact, are some of the most common forms of injury in our body. Another part of our body that is susceptible to destruction is our teeth.
Apart from teeth, both types of injuries we mentioned can heal themselves because they have living cells that can regenerate and repair damaged tissue. However, teeth differ from other parts of the body in various ways, and they cannot heal themselves in the same way.
The reason for this elusive phenomenon lies in the structure and composition of our teeth:
Our teeth are made up of four layers: enamel (the hard calcium-containing substance that covers the surface of the tooth), dentin (dental bone), pulp (dental pulp/nerve), and cementum (the bony tissue surrounding the tooth root). Enamel is the hard, shiny outer layer that protects teeth from wear and tear. Dentin is the softer layer under the tooth enamel that gives the tooth its shape. The pulp is the innermost layer that contains blood vessels and nerves that provide nourishment and sensation to the teeth. Cementum is the thin layer that covers the roots of our teeth and fixes them to our jawbone.
Enamel is the hardest substance in our body. It also has the distinction of being the most mineralized substance, meaning it contains a high percentage of inorganic substances such as calcium and phosphate. This makes enamel very strong and resistant to decay, but makes the handicap very brittle and prone to cracking. Enamel also lacks living cells and proteins necessary for healing and regeneration. Therefore, once enamel is damaged, it cannot be repaired by the body.
Dentin, on the other hand, is softer and more organic than enamel. It contains living cells called odontoblasts that produce new dentin throughout human life. Dentin also contains various proteins and water, making it more flexible and durable than enamel, but still not as adept at self-healing as other tissues in the body. This part of our teeth can only produce a small amount of new material to fill small cracks or cavities, but cannot restore our tooth’s original shape or function.
Pulp and cementum are more similar to other tissues in our body in terms of their ability to heal.
pulp; Odontoblasts contain stem cells that can differentiate into various types of cells, such as nerve cells or blood vessels, and can also produce inflammatory molecules that trigger an immune response to fight infection or injury.
Cementum contains cells called cementoblasts, which can produce new cementum to repair minor damage to the roots of your teeth. However, pulp and cementum are usually not exposed to the external environment unless there is severe damage to the enamel or dentin that exposes them. In such a case, the pulp and cementum may become inflamed and cause pain and sensitivity.
So, how can we protect our teeth that are so strong, but are unable to heal?
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that live in the mouth and feed on sugars and starches in food. These bacteria produce acids that erode tooth enamel and dentin, creating holes or cavities in your teeth. If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to pain, infection, tooth loss and even systemic health problems.
The best way to prevent this, namely tooth decay, is to practice good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, rinsing with mouthwash, and visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. The way to protect your teeth from breaking is to wear a mouthguard while playing sports or doing activities that may cause trauma to your mouth.
(You should also limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods and beverages, such as sugar, soda, fruit juice, coffee, and wine. These foods and beverages can weaken your tooth enamel and make it more prone to decay. Instead, try cheese, yogurt, milk, nuts, fruit, You should adopt a balanced diet that includes foods that are good for your teeth, such as vegetables and water.)
Our teeth are unique and irreplaceable parts of your body that serve many functions such as chewing, speaking, smiling and expressing your personality. Therefore, it is very important that we take good care of them and prevent them from being damaged. The recommendations we have mentioned are just the beginning, do not forget to consult a professional, namely the dentist, for better dental care. May your smiles be beautiful!
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