Unlock the mysteries of the body to reveal what your mouth says about you in this three part exhibit that explores the future of dentistry through forensics, saliva and bioengineering.
Key scientific topics include DNA, genetics, the mouth/body connection and stem cells.
Use the navigation to the left to explore each section of the exhibit.
DNA
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is found inside the nucleus of a cell in tight bundles called chromosomes and contains all of our genetic information. Every cell in the human body, except red blood cells, has DNA. Unless you are an identical twin, no one else in the world has the same genetic information as you.
The structure of DNA is a double helix with alternating sugar and phosphate along the sides. DNA is made up of four building blocks or nucleotides (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) which are arranged in pairs along very long strands. The human genome (complete set of DNA) has about 3 billion nucleotides. The order of the nucleotides in a DNA strand is a sequence.
Each person in the world has a unique sequence. We are all 99.9% the same; but our uniqueness is found in 0.1% of our DNA sequence. This uniqueness in our DNA sequence is what sets us apart from each other. Our DNA can be broken down into smaller parts called genes that are the hereditary units passed from parent to child. It is for this reason that forensics units use saliva to identify victims and solve crimes.
In order to study DNA, researchers must collect samples from people. One of the best DNA samples is saliva because it contains mouth and cheek cells. There are many different ways to get saliva for DNA testing. Saliva can be found on a phone after a conversation, on licked envelopes, toothbrushes, and anything else that may come in daily contact with your saliva and/or mouth.
Mouth/Body Connection
In addition to DNA testing, saliva can be used for various health tests as well. Saliva tests can tell if a person has HIV, has used illegal drugs, is prone to cavities, and many other clues into a person's overall health.
Changes in your saliva can help indicate temporary illnesses or more serious conditions. Soon health care professionals will be able to tell as much about your health from saliva as they can from blood. Saliva testing is less painful and more patient/health professional friendly than traditional blood testing.
Taking care of your teeth is important to maintain overall health. Emerging scientific research suggests a link between periodontitis, advanced gum disease, and some health problems. Bacteria that causes periodontitis can enter the bloodstream and have an affect on other systemic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Oral bacteria entering the bloodstream due to advanced gum disease may attach to fatty plaques in the arteries surrounding the heart helping to form clots and could lead to a heart attack. The link between advanced periodontal disease and diabetes may be a two-way street. Diabetics develop gum disease more easily because diabetes slows the body's natural healing process and blood-sugar levels may be adversely affected by advanced gum disease. Oral bacteria entering the bloodstream due to advanced gum disease may attach to fatty plaques in the arteries of the brain helping to form clots, which can block blood flow and lead to a stroke.
Gene Therapy
There are many reasons why scientists use DNA to conduct research. It allows them to locate specific genes that cause diseases and learn how our body works and functions based on our genetic makeup. Gene therapy is a new technique used to replace "bad" genes with "good" genes to find cures for inherited diseases.
Genes and Stem Cells
In addition to a mouth-body connection, researchers are trying to find ways to improve oral health for the future. These studies include gene therapy and bioengineering. To end oral diseases, such as Sjögren's Syndrome, scientists are looking into gene therapy techniques to correct misspellings in DNA. Through bioengineering, researchers are using stem cells from wisdom teeth and recently extracted baby teeth to find ways to grow new teeth to replace lost permanent teeth. With these breakthroughs, people will have more options when deciding how to maintain their smiles.
Conclusion
Through emerging scientific research, a visit to the dentist will be different in the future. Current steps are underway to learn about a connection between oral health and a person's overall health. Once this can be determined, dentistry will not only pertain to teeth but taking care of your whole body as well. With this new mouth-body connection, scientists are conducting research to find ways for people to have healthy smiles that will last a lifetime.
