Alligator Stem Cell Study Gives Clues to Tooth Regeneration

 Alligators may help scientists learn how to stimulate tooth regeneration in people, according to new research led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

For the first time, a global team of researchers led by USC pathology Professor Cheng-Ming Chuong, M.D., Ph.D., has uncovered unique cellular and molecular mechanisms behind tooth renewal in American alligators. Their study, titled "Specialized stem cell niche enables repetitive renewal of alligator teeth," appears inProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the official journal of the United States National Academy of Sciences.

"Humans naturally only have two sets of teeth -- baby teeth and adult teeth," said Chuong. "Ultimately, we want to identify stem cells that can be used as a resource to stimulate tooth renewal in adult humans who have lost teeth. But, to do that, we must first understand how they renew in other animals and why they stop in people."

Whereas most vertebrates can replace teeth throughout their lives, human teeth are naturally replaced only once, despite the lingering presence of a band of epithelial tissue called the dental lamina, which is crucial to tooth development. Because alligators have well-organized teeth with similar form and structure as mammalian teeth and are capable of lifelong tooth renewal, the authors reasoned that they might serve as models for mammalian tooth replacement.

"Alligator teeth are implanted in sockets of the dental bone, like human teeth," said Ping Wu, Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology at the Keck School of Medicine and first author of the study. "They have 80 teeth, each of which can be replaced up to 50 times over their lifetime, making them the ideal model for comparison to human teeth."

Using microscopic imaging techniques, the researchers found that each alligator tooth is a complex unit of three components -- a functional tooth, a replacement tooth, and the dental lamina -- in different developmental stages. The tooth units are structured to enable a smooth transition from dislodgement of the functional, mature tooth to replacement with the new tooth. Identifying three developmental phases for each tooth unit, the researchers conclude that the alligator dental laminae contain what appear to be stem cells from which new replacement teeth develop.

"Stem cells divide more slowly than other cells," said co-author Randall B. Widelitz, Ph.D., associate professor of pathology at the Keck School of Medicine. "The cells in the alligator's dental lamina behaved like we would expect stem cells to behave. In the future, we hope to isolate those cells from the dental lamina to see whether we can use them to regenerate teeth in the lab."

The researchers also intend to learn what molecular networks are involved in repetitive renewal and hope to apply the principles to regenerative medicine in the future.

The authors also report novel cellular mechanisms by which the tooth unit develops in the embryo and molecular signaling that speeds growth of replacement teeth when functional teeth are lost prematurely. Co-authors include colleagues from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Georgia, National Cheng Kung University, National Taiwan University, and Xiangya Hospital in China.

Reference:
The research was supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases through grants 5R01AR042177-19, 5R01AR060306-03 and 2R01AR047364-11A1.

 

Dental Implants are the best option for tooth replacement until teeth can be regenerated scientifically.

Schedule a dental evaluation.

 

Stress Busters - Here are five ways to put tension to rest

Managing your stress is important to your overall health. If chronic stress is left untreated, it can result in many serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, insomnia, a weakened immune system, anxiety and muscle pain. 

When stress is at its peak, it's hard to find the time to take a break, relax and regroup. To reduce stress, try these simple tips:

Get active: You don't have to be an athlete. Any kind of physical activity can act as a stress reliever. Try walking, dancing, swimming. The most important thing is to get moving.

Connect: When you are stressed and busy, it is easy to close yourself off and start to feel disconnected. Reach out to friends and family or join a group exercise class to keep yourself plugged in.

Laugh: Maximize your happiness by a good laugh, even if it is forced. Laughter triggers a relaxing response naturally within your body. At the very least smile. Smiling triggers a similar relaxing response within your body.

Meditate: Meditation helps you declutter your thoughts and refocus your attention. This time benefits both your emotional well-being and overall health through instilling a sense of calmness, peace and balance. Yoga is a great way to learn to begin to listen to your body and relieve tension. If you have never tried yoga, this is a perfect time to visit the YMCA. We have classes for every level. You will be surprised at how good you feel when you are done.

Sleep: You have too much to do and too much to think about, leading to many restless nights. Try to stick to a consistent, relaxing bedtime routine. Listen to soothing music and limit screen time before bed. Invest in a Snore appliance for your bed mate or a Sleep Apnea appliance for yourself if this is disrupting your sleep.

 Reference:

By Deborah MacDonald
Healthy Living Program Specialist

Don't cry foul ! Bad breath is treatable

Don’t cry foul!

Bad breath is treatable

A lot of people are embarrassed by bad breath, but it is a problem that can usually be solved. Certain foods and beverages can cause bad breath. When strong foods like onions and garlic are the cause, bad breath is only temporary. However, some people suffer from more permanent and lasting breath problems.


The causes of bad breath

Most bad breath, also known as halitosis, is caused by incomplete or insufficient oral hygiene, along with eating foods that contribute to bad breath. What you eat affects the air you exhale. Certain foods contribute to bad breath. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled.

Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will mask the odor only temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.


Dry mouth

Another common cause of bad breath is dry mouth, which happens when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth happens naturally when you sleep. You may refer to it when you wake as “morning breath.” It is generally worse in those people who are “mouth breathers” or sleep with their mouths open and those who tend to snore more often.

Dry mouth also may be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, cancer chemotherapy, or head and neck radiation treatments. It also is simply more common to have dry mouth as you age. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe artificial saliva or suggest using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake. 

And smokers? Almost all people who use tobacco have bad breath. Talk to your dentist about ways to kick the habit.  

Gum disease

Bad breath also may be a sign that you have other mouth issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease. One of the warning signs of gum disease is bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth.

The bacteria create toxins that irritate the gums. In the advanced stage of the disease, the gums, bone and other structures that support the teeth become damaged. With regular dental checkups, your dentist can detect and treat gum disease early. Sometimes, bad breath can be a sign of a more serious health issue. If your bad breath has a particular reoccurring odor; perhaps fishy, fruity or like ammonia, you might need to see your physician.

Diagnosis and treatment  

When you eat, minute particles of food get trapped between your teeth and in tiny grooves and bumps on your tongue. That’s why proper brushing and flossing are the first line of defense against bad breath.

Many people use mouthwash to combat bad breath, but most over-the counter rinses are just a temporary mask and do not solve the underlying problem. Your local West Michigan Dental Society member dentist may recommend a medicated mouthwash instead. With good care on your part and professional care from your dentist, you can combat bad breath and enjoy life with confidence.

Brought to you by the 600 members of the West Michigan District Dental Society in Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Montcalm and Mecosta counties. West Michigan District Dental Society dentists are also members of the Michigan Dental Association.

Wake up with a headache or jaw pain? You may need a night guard.

My spouse tells me I grind my teeth at night. Could this explain why I often wake up with a headache?

 

Yes, tooth grinding and clenching are symptomatic of a condition known as bruxism. It can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ)disorder that, in turn, can cause headaches. 

People who grind their teeth during sleep usually rub their lower teeth against their upper teeth in a back-and-forth or side-to-side motion.

It sounds like chewing on hard crackers or ice cubes. Clenching is more like a rocking motion of the lower teeth against the uppers. Some people don’t realize they have bruxism unless a bed partner mentions it or a dentist points out worn down areas on the teeth. Some people with bruxism also clench their jaw repeatedly during the day. It may be when they are angry or agitated, but often they just do it, for no good reason. They’re not even aware they do it. But it can add to the damage done to the teeth. The temporomandibular joints are flexible joints found on each side of your head just in front of the ear. They connect your lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull. TMJ disorder can cause dull, deep morning headaches that may or may not subside during the day.

People who frequently grind their teeth can develop stiff neck muscles — a possible trigger for headaches. The pain of these headaches usually centers around the sides and back of the head.

Other symptoms of TMJ disorder include a clicking or popping of the jaw joints, pain in or around the jaws, and locking or limited opening of the mouth.

If you think your headaches might be due to bruxism or TMJ disorder, consult your dentist. He or she may refer you to a pain specialist.

A dental night guard can help reduce the symptoms of bruxism.  

This is a small piece of hard plastic custom-fitted to your upper teeth.

People who clench their jaw repeatedly during the day are advised to wear the “night” guard even during those times of the day when they are working alone and don’t have to talk to others.

Why do people grind their teeth at night? I wish we knew. It’s one of the many common conditions that doctors understand poorly.

While stress may provoke it in some people, there are plenty of other people who live with lots of stress and never grind their teeth.

 

Make an appointment to discuss the best treatment for you if you clench and grind your teeth or wake up with jaw pain or headaches.

 Reference: Grand Rapids Press

Dr. Anthony Komaroff