At Smiles by Shields, we’re your Jacksonville FL dentist committed to total body health and overall wellness. And we never cease to be amazed by the connection between your teeth and other parts of the body. A new link? Wisdom tooth stem cells and the eyes!

New research suggest that stem cells from the dental pulp of wisdom teeth can be coaxed to become cells of the eye’s cornea and could one day be used to repair corneal scarring due to infection or injury. The findings indicate these cells could also could become a new source of corneal transplant tissue made from the patient’s own cells.

If you’ve ever doubted the link between your oral health and your overall health, contact the team at Smiles by Shields today. We love practicing wellness dentistry and we’re happy to share more information on dentistry as part of your wellness goals!

Reference:

University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences. (2015, February 23). Wisdom teeth stem cells can transform into cells that could treat corneal scarring. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 23, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150223104131.htm