Why Your Roots Are Important
Our family roots are important to us. They give us a sense of belonging and stability. They can nourish us and help make us emotionally strong by knowing where we've come from and how we got here, and they are very interesting to learn about. Your tooth roots are important, too. Very important, in fact, because they give your tooth stability, and your jaw the nourishment it needs to remain healthy and strong.
The Role of Your Root
Your tooth root performs several different roles. It houses the nerves, blood vessels, arteries, and live tissue which is called the pulp of your tooth. It holds your tooth firm and stable in your jawbone so you can chew, and it stimulates your jawbone which keeps it healthy and strong. When you bite down and chew, the root of your tooth stimulates the flow of blood, nutrients, and vitamins to your underlying jawbone. Without this stimulation, your jawbone will not receive what it needs to remain healthy and strong. The blood, vitamins, and nutrients that keep your jawbone healthy also travel through the root into the pulp, keeping the pulp of your tooth alive, as well.
Losing a Tooth
When you lose a tooth, you lose the root, too. When the root is no longer in the socket of your jawbone, that part of your jaw becomes deprived of nourishment. Without important vitamins and nutrients to keep it alive and strong, it will begin to atrophy (breakdown and die). When this happens, other teeth can become affected. That is why root canals are performed, to save the tooth and keep the underlying jawbone healthy. That is also why implants (prosthetic tooth roots) are placed when a tooth is lost or extracted.