Much of the discussion concerning your oral health revolves around the over-600 identifiable bacteria that are found in a healthy mouth at any given time. Some of these germs erode your tooth enamel by producing acid, while others release toxins and incite inflammation to destroy your gum tissue. Nevertheless, not every microscopic entity in your mouth is dangerous. Today, your Astoria dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, discusses what experts have recently discovered tucked away in your gingival tissues—stem cells that can differentiate into other cell types, and contain a host of other exciting possibilities for the world of dental and systemic health care.
Understanding the Impact of Stem Cells
If you’ve never heard of stem cells, then you might be amazed to learn that they’re significance lies in their ability to differentiate, or transform, into any specific cell type to form organs and other body tissues. A stem cell is essentially a blank canvas, and with the right set of instructions, it can become the required cell type and reproduce by dividing itself into identical daughter cells; a process called mitosis. Together, these abilities can allow stem cells to revolutionize our approach to restorative and regenerative treatments for some of the most severe chronic diseases. In fact, researching the potential of stem cells has consumed researchers across the world, and recently scientists discovered a wealth of such cells in healthy human gingival tissue.
Gum Tissue Stem Cells Can Do More than Differentiate
According to a study published in the Journal of Dental Research, scientists from the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC conducted research concerning gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSC) and their abilities beyond differentiating, such as fighting inflammation. As a natural immune response, inflammation is designed to drive harmful microbes from your body; however, in excess, swollen tissues become damaged, making inflammation a major risk factor in a number of chronic illnesses, including gum disease and heart disease. In the USC study, researchers transplanted GMSC into mice that exhibited inflamed conditions of the colon. The results show significantly reduced inflammation in the mice after the introduction of GMSC, suggesting that the stem cells may prove a potent weapon against chronic inflammatory diseases in the future.
Take Care of Your Gums with Help from Your Astoria Dentist
Until gingival stem cells can be effectively processed into an active treatment, you can control gum inflammation and disease with proper hygiene and regular professional maintenance. To learn more, schedule a consultation with your Astoria dentist by calling our office today at (718) 728-8320. Located in the 11106 area, we proudly serve patients from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding communities.
