Preservation of stem cells may sound like science fiction, but I assure you, it is not. Scientists have discovered that baby teeth contain valuable stem cells that may one day help regenerate different parts of the body. In the future, something as small and ordinary as a child’s lost tooth could potentially play a role in life-saving treatments. Because of this exciting possibility, some parents have already begun storing their children’s baby teeth for long-term preservation. This process is known as tooth banking.
For illustrative purposes only (iStockphoto)What Are Stem Cells?To understand why baby teeth matter, it helps to first understand stem cells. Think of stem cells as the body’s “master cells.” Unlike ordinary cells that have a single, fixed job, stem cells are unique and powerful because they can do two remarkable things.

First, they can make copies of themselves. This ability is called self-renewal. It means stem cells can continue dividing and producing new stem cells over time, giving the body a steady supply.Second, they can transform into other types of cells. This is known as differentiation. Under the right conditions, a stem cell can become a muscle cell, a nerve cell, a blood cell, skin tissue, or even bone. Because of this flexibility, stem cells play a critical role in growth, development, and healing.In simple terms, stem cells are the building blocks that help the body repair itself. When you scrape your knee or break a bone, stem cells help create the new cells needed to fix the damage. Researchers believe that, in the future, these natural repair abilities could be harnessed in even more powerful ways.