Teeth and bones look similar; white in color, store calcium, and both are hard. But teeth aren’t bones. Bones are living tissues, while teeth are not. Therefore, bones can heal themselves while teeth cannot. Teeth are more prone to damage, and it is so essential to follow good oral hygiene.
Bones
Bones are living tissues made up of a protein called collagen and minerals called calcium phosphate and sodium. Collagen is a living tissue that gives flexibility and allows bones to resist the pressure.
Calcium makes the bones strong and supports to hold body weight. Periosteum, the outer surface of the bones, is a smooth membrane. In the joints, there are cartilages to help the joint to bend.
Periosteum consists of osteoblasts that can produce new cells for bone growth or repair. There is bone marrow inside the bones that produces red blood cells and white blood cells — several arteries supplying blood to the bone through the periosteum from the bone marrow.
When a bone fracture happens, new bone cells are generated and fill the crack and repair the fracture.
Teeth
Teeth are made out of three layers called enamel, dentine, and pulp.
Enamel is made out of calcium phosphate, where it is harder than the bones. The hardest part of your body is the enamel, and it does not contain any living cells. Tooth enamel is unlike bones; it does not have any regenerating power.
When a tooth decays, it cannot repair by itself. Underneath the enamel, there is a tissue called dentin, which causes sensitivity, pain, and cavities.
Dentine is a bone-like tissue that contains most of your teeth. Next, the pulp is the softest part of the tooth, which contains nerves and blood vessels.
Functional difference
Bones are living tissue that can produce new cells to repair and rebuilt, but the tooth does not have any living tissues to repair and rebuild. When the enamel is damaged, it cannot be restored until a dentist repairs it. If you have a cavity in your tooth, your tooth cannot grow again; you need to have the necessary medications to repair your tooth.
While there is a structure similar to bone marrow in the tooth called pulp, the pulp cannot produce red blood cells or white blood cells. Pulp only contains the nerves, arteries, and veins going to the jaw bone.
Types of teeth
There are four types
- Incisors – sharp and used for cutting food (top four and lower four)
- Canines – pointed teeth and used for tearing food (top two and lower two)
- Premolars – using for tearing and crushing food (top four and lower four)
- Molars – flat teeth and used for grinding and chewing food (top four and lower four)
Bad conditions of your teeth
- Cavities – damages enamel and lower structure of your teeth. Bacterial infections are the popular reason
- Tooth decay – poor hygiene and lack of nutrition might be the reason
- Periodontitis – damaging the inner structure of the tooth. poor dental health is the main reason
- Plaque – quickly brushed off but when it remains bacteria can grow on them
- Tartar – when the plaque remains on your teeth tartar forms, and you need the help of a doctor to remove tartar
- Gingivitis – Inflammation of the gum due to plaque and tartar
- Tooth sensitivity – when the enamel is damaged, tooth sensitivity happens
- Teeth grinding – mostly occurs when you are sleeping. Better to wear a teeth guard when sleeping
How to protect your teeth?
Following well maintained oral hygiene routine is the only option to protect your teeth; because your teeth are not going to regenerate ever.
What can you do?
- Brushing your teeth twice a day until all the plaque is gone
- Use soft brush strokes while you are cleaning because hard brush strokes can damage to the enamel
- Replace your brush every three months
- The inner and outer surface of your mouth should be covered while brushing
- Remind yourself to brush your tongue too to remove bacteria
- Floss your teeth once a day
- Rinse your teeth by an antibacterial mouthwash to kill bacteria
- Meet your dentist every six months to checkup
- If you are suffering from cavities, meet your dentist and do a tooth filling
- If your tooth is too damaged to recover, tooth extraction needs to be done
- Use mouth guards if you are suffering from unconscious mouth grinding or when you are engaging in sports
Teeth are not bones. While they look similar, they have significant differences. Teeth cannot heal themselves while bones can. So it is very much essential to protect your teeth.
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