Scientists Urge Parents To Save Baby Teeth For Important Stem Cell Research

Sep 19, 2018 by apost team

Normally, you only read about cryopreservation in science fiction. In recent years, this sci-fi technology has actually become a real possibility. Now, scientists are urging parents to preserve baby teeth for the future.

The goal is to keep baby teeth for future stem cells.

Right now, scientists are making constant discoveries in stem cell research. One day, this technology could save countless lives through new medical treatments. In addition, these stem cells are making it possible to treat medical ailments that scientists previously thought were impossible to treat.

apost.com

Parents can help their child take part in these treatments by storing baby teeth. These teeth have stem cells, so they can be used to create other types of cells and organs. Some parents are even donating baby teeth to help with research. 

Stem cells are a unique type of cell. When a human is born, they are found in every organ. Unlike other cells, stem cells can transform into anything. They turn into the organ that they are closest to. In the body, stem cells work to fix damage. They can redevelop and divide into other types of cells. Scientists have found that there are two kinds of stem cells. There are stem cells that are found in adults, and there is a different type that is found in embryos. Both of these types of stem cells can morph into other kinds of cells in the human body.

While scientists have not developed this ability yet, they say that stem cells can one day regrow limbs. If someone's liver or kidney fails, stem cells could be used to recreate a new organ. Right now, scientists are not able to effectively create new organs out of stem cells. While they might not be able to yet, they believe that this technology will exist in the near future. 

Currently, researchers are also working to develop a stem cell bank of baby teeth. One of these banks is known as Store-A-Tooth. At these banks, baby teeth can be stored until researchers have developed new technology to use them. These teeth can be used to extra stem cells one day. To keep the stem cells intact, researchers use a technique called cryopreservation.

At the moment, cryopreservation is fairly expensive. Parents have to pay $1,500 upfront. Afterward, the stem cell bank charges $120 a year. This cost can quickly add up when a family has multiple children to care for. While the new technology is exciting, cryopreservation might not be a good investment yet. Scientists still have to carry out a lot of additional research before they know how to use stem cells properly.

Because of this, some scientists are telling parents not to believe the hype of stem cell banks too much. These medical techniques will be revolutionary someday, but there is no way of knowing when the technology will actually exist to use them.

While the technology is still developing, some parents are choosing to store their child's baby teeth for the future. For these parents, cryopreservation is worth the cost.

If the technology is available in the future, these baby teeth could save their child's life.

Do you think that parents are doing the right thing by preserving baby teeth? Is this a waste of money? Tell us what you think and ask your friends how they feel about this new trend.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!