Are Teeth Alive?

This is a common question a dentist gets asked.

It is a common misconception that teeth are not alive.

People often follow up with a second question: ” How does a tooth get an infection if it is not alive!”.

The misconception that teeth are not alive leads to confusion about how a tooth can become infected. Because we cannot “feel” sensation on healthy teeth, many people conclude teeth are not alive.

It is a fact that most of the parts which make up teeth are actually living cells. Similar to hair and fingernails there is a part on a tooth that is not alive – that part is called the “enamel”. It is made of calcium phosphate, which is a very hard mineral that is perfect for breaking down food when you eat. All of the live-action happens underneath the enamel.

Teeth are a vital living extension of you. Teeth are subjected to the same metabolic processes that affect other organs within your body. That’s why doctors and dentists can tell a lot about your general health from your teeth, eyes, tongue, hair, skin, fingernails, etc.

Similar to other organs, teeth have a supply of blood vessels and nerves. The flow of blood helps teeth grow and mature before they finally emerge through the gums into the mouth.

Bacteria cannot reach the living cells found inside the tooth unless the teeth are cracked due to decay or injury. Commonly, decay creates a pathway for the bacteria to enter into the inner part of the tooth where it causes infection to live tissues.

A tooth that is fully developed and is in its usual position in the jaw doesn’t need nerves and blood vessels to remain functional. This is why a tooth that has had root canal treatment can stay in a person’s mouth for a lifetime and play its full purpose of chewing, eating, and speaking. If a tooth undergoes a root canal treatment, it is no longer alive, but can still stay in the mouth and remain fully functional.

Learning about your teeth can be fun. Taking care of your teeth makes a big difference. An adult has 32 living things in your mouth (unless you’ve had an extraction) – make sure you take good care of them!