Teeth are not something most of us think about unless they hurt or need care. Hidden in the soft core of teeth are living cells with a surprising role. These are stem cells, and they are being studied for their numerous benefits in future medicine and healing.

How Stem Cells Work in the Body

Stem cells are unique because they have not decided what they want to become. Most cells in our body have a fixed job, whether it is building skin or helping bones grow. Stem cells are more flexible—they can turn into many different cell types depending on what the body asks for. This makes them interesting for doctors and scientists, who are always looking to see how the body might heal itself in the future.

Doctors already know that some places in the body, like bone marrow, have stem cells. But finding them in teeth, especially in wisdom teeth that are already being removed for health reasons, means families have a chance to save something useful without extra procedures.

Many researchers are still learning what stem cells might offer years from now, but setting them aside early gives families more tools if that need comes up.

What Makes Wisdom Teeth a Good Source

Wisdom teeth appear later in life, usually in the teenage years or early twenties. Dentists remove them during a planned procedure, so the inside tissue can be checked before anything happens. If the pulp is still healthy, it is a safe and easy time to collect live stem cells.

Inside, every wisdom tooth has a soft layer called the pulp. This is where stem cells live and grow. The tough outside of the tooth keeps that pulp protected from damage, bacteria, and drying out until it is removed.

Since wisdom teeth are usually taken out under a dentist’s care and before they get too old, the conditions are best for keeping the pulp and its cells healthy. The fresher the tooth and the healthier the pulp, the better the chances for collecting strong, usable cells.

Why Baby Teeth Aren’t Usually Collected

Lots of parents save a baby tooth for a keepsake. But for stem cells, baby teeth aren’t always the best source.

Baby teeth fall out naturally over time. By the time they come out on their own, the pulp inside the tooth has already changed. It has lost much of what makes it useful. The tissue may break down naturally as the tooth loosens, or it can dry out quickly after leaving the mouth.

If a tooth falls out at school, during a meal, or at night, it may be on the floor or under a pillow for hours. It can dry out or be exposed to bacteria, making it hard to store or use the tissue inside.

Often, the window for collection closes without the family knowing it. In most cases, by the time a baby tooth is loose enough to wiggle free, it is already past its best state for storing cells.

However, if a baby tooth needs to be removed by a dentist a little early for various reasons, they can be an excellent source for stem cells. At that stage there are still plenty of healthy, viable stem cells available.

When and How Collection Happens

Saving stem cells from wisdom teeth is about timing and careful handling. Once a dentist or oral surgeon removes the tooth, the tissue has to be protected and moved quickly so the cells can stay alive.

Here are the general steps:

1. Wisdom tooth is removed during a planned dental visit.

2. The tooth goes straight into a storage kit that keeps the tissue moist and protected.

3. The kit travels to a lab, where trained teams cut open the tooth, remove the pulp, and process the stem cells for freezing.

Every step builds on the last. If the tissue dries out or is left open to the air, the cells might not survive. That is why collection only works when all the right pieces are in place and why doing it at home is not an option.

ToothBank uses special temperature-controlled kits and barcode tracking to guarantee the tooth arrives at the lab in the same condition it left the dental chair.

A Bigger Reason to Save What You Can

Opportunities to collect and store your own stem cells are not common. When one opens up, especially during a planned wisdom tooth extraction, it is definitely worth thinking about..

Planning ahead, even with a single extra step, can make a real difference. The right timing can give a family better options when it matters most. Saving stem cells is not about doing something big or complicated. It is about making one choice at the right time that leaves more options open for the future. For many, it starts with the simple step of collecting what might already be part of the plan.

Planning ahead during a routine tooth removal can make a big difference later on. Families often ask how long-term options work when collecting and protecting these cells. Our process is set up to support safe storage and clear steps, especially when it involves wisdom teeth and stem cells. At ToothBank, we take the time to do things right so nothing gets missed. If a wisdom tooth procedure is coming up and you're thinking about what's next, we’re here to help.