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Teeth & Enamel

sd8974
sd8974 Posts: 65 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
in Health & beauty MoneySaving
Now, this may be a stupid question, but I'd like to know whether it's at all valid to compare teeth and enamel with bones and/or nails...

Can teeth and enamel not re-form themselves - if not, why not, when bones are continually replenished and recycled over time? Are teeth not a kind of bone?

Thanks in advance for any answers!
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Comments

  • Marty_J
    Marty_J Posts: 6,594 Forumite
    This should answer your questions:

    http://www.hhmi.org/bulletin/august2006/pdf/AskAScientist.pdf
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,116 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Marty_J wrote: »
    This should answer your questions:

    http://www.hhmi.org/bulletin/august2006/pdf/AskAScientist.pdf


    That's a pretty good explanation.

    Rodents have continually growing teeth. In fact, if they don't get an abrasive enough diet, the teeth start growing through the opposing jaw!

    But humans just get what we have.

    Teeth can remineralise - decayed bits can harden up again - through the calcium and phosphate ions in salive and some toothpastes. But lost tooth structure cannot regrow. The cells that do it just aren't present.

    BTW - enamel is very different to bone - it's much harder. The dentine layer is a bit more bone-like in terms of strength, but it's structure is quite different.

    The nearest thing to bone is a material called cementum, which is a thin layer that coats the root, and the membrane that holds in the tooth attaches to.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • point3
    point3 Posts: 1,830 Forumite
    Any acid-resistant dental fillings available? I've lost 4 out of 8 fillings done just 3 months ago for acid erosion; 1st one fell out after 1 week and was re-done, the next at 2 weeks, the 3rd at 2 months and now a 4th has gone!
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,116 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    All fillings are acid - resistant. It's your teeth that aren't!
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • point3
    point3 Posts: 1,830 Forumite
    Toothsmith wrote: »
    All fillings are acid - resistant. It's your teeth that aren't!

    Never had fillings before :(

    So, do ALL your fillings fall out after a few weeks?
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,116 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If you're having a problem with fillings popping out like that though, there might be a bit of tooth-grinding causing the cavities as well as acid erosion.

    Tooth grinding causes a little bit of bending of teeth, and wheras teeth are (slightly) flexible, fillings aren't - so they pop out.

    Wearing a night bite guard might help - but you need to get back to your dentist who will be best placed to assess why the fillings have fallen out so quickly.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • nightsky224
    nightsky224 Posts: 913 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Toothsmith are you a dentist? if so can I be cheeky and ask a question... (would welcome some advice from anyone else too)

    My Boyfriend doesn't smoke (quite about year and a half ago) and brushes twice a day. But over the last month or so he has been getting brown stains on his teeth mainly where the teeth join around the edges. Is there anything we can but that will help get rid as we can't really afford a trip to the hygienist at the mo.
    Recently married and loving it x
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,116 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    nightsky224 wrote: »
    Toothsmith are you a dentist? if so can I be cheeky and ask a question... (would welcome some advice from anyone else too)

    My Boyfriend doesn't smoke (quite about year and a half ago) and brushes twice a day. But over the last month or so he has been getting brown stains on his teeth mainly where the teeth join around the edges. Is there anything we can but that will help get rid as we can't really afford a trip to the hygienist at the mo.

    Once it's built up, it really needs professional help to get rid of.

    Has he been on antibiotics recently? Has he started using a mouthwash recently? Or taking Iron supplements? Different toothpaste? Worn out toothbrush?

    Is there anything he's been eating or drinking more of in the last few weeks?
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • nightsky224
    nightsky224 Posts: 913 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Toothsmith wrote: »
    Once it's built up, it really needs professional help to get rid of.

    Has he been on antibiotics recently? Has he started using a mouthwash recently? Or taking Iron supplements? Different toothpaste? Worn out toothbrush?

    Is there anything he's been eating or drinking more of in the last few weeks?

    Ah, He has been taking antibiotics for his skin (he is 31 but sill has acne type skin) Could that really of caused it?

    Thankyou for responding
    Recently married and loving it x
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,116 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Very likely - but it should polish off easily enough with the hygienist.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
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