Facts About Stem Cells

Stem Cell Facts

There are more than 200 different types of cells in the human body, but stem cells are some of the most important. These special cells can divide to create new stem cells or specialise and differentiate. They come from different sources with embryonic, adult, and perinatal stem cells the three main types.

There’s lots of interest and ongoing research into stem cells as they hold the potential to help with therapies to replace damaged or defective cells. Stem cell therapies could be used to help treat leukaemia, multiple sclerosis, Hodgkin disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and some other illnesses and diseases.

Research into the power of stem cells is ongoing. To get a clearer picture of their abilities we’ve pulled together some important stem cell facts and stats.

Interesting stem cell facts

Stem cell research remains relatively new but there are plenty of facts about stem cells discovered by scientists and medical professionals. They’re essentially blank cells yet to specialise with the potential to develop. Understand a little more about what stem cells are and why they’re important with these stem cell facts:

• Stem cells self-renew, which means they can make more cells like themselves
• Almost all tissues in the body contain stem cells
• Stem cells maintain tissue and repair it after an injury
• The first embryonic stem cells were taken from embryos from mice in 1981
• Collecting stem cells from human embryos was first done in 1998
• The three main sources of stem cells are blood, bone marrow, and umbilical cord blood
• Embryonic stem cells can develop into all cell types of a developing foetus and are more versatile than adult stem cells – which is why cord blood banking is developing
• They’re taken from embryos that are between three and five days old
• Hematopoietic stem cells come from the bone marrow and can produce all the cells that function in the blood
• It’s possible for stem cells to develop into brain cells, heart muscle cells, and bone cells

Stem cell statistics

Analysis, treatments, and banking of stem cells appear to be growing worldwide as more information about them and their uses is understood. There are many interesting stem cell statistics given their potential to renew and specialise. Learn more about their importance with these fascinating stem cell stats:

• Most healthy babies have more than a million blood-forming stem cells, which can be used for cord blood banking
• The average healthy human adult has between 50,000 and 200,000 hematopoietic stem cells in their body, which actively make white blood cells
• Stem cells from the umbilical cord can be used to treat more than 80 different diseases
• Between 65 to 75% of people in need of a stem cell transplant in the UK can’t find a sibling match, so rely on others
• Every year more than 400 patients in the UK lack a suitable stem cell donor and can’t have treatment
• In the USA there were 5,073 unrelated and 4,276 related bone marrow and cord blood transplants performed in 2021
• The global stem cell therapy market was valued at $11 billion in 2022 – with predictions of growth to $44 billion by 2032
• Countries in the EU that carry out the most annual stem cell transplants are Germany (7,900), France (5,800), Italy (5,700), and Spain (3,400)

Find out more about stem cell banking

At Stem Protect we provide professional stem cell banking services in the UK – including umbilical cord and tooth stem cell storage. You can learn more across our website and with answers to many frequently asked questions.

If you’re ready to go, arrange your free consultation and speak to an expert today. Call 0800 211 8389 or contact us online to book a consultation.

Is it time to ban the tooth fairy?

Are your kid’s quids in, or counting the pennies?

The tooth fairy is an age-old tradition of slipping our kids a few coins in exchange for their teeth under a carefully created guise, but is your kid getting a fair rate?

Even though the tooth fairy – along with the Easter bunny – was identified to be a key worker by New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, there are concerns the kids are being bullied by their peers for not getting “enough” per tooth.

UK-based stem cell storage company StemProtect.co.uk has found in a recent survey that children are receiving varying amounts of cash in exchange for their teeth.

Company spokesperson Mark Hall says, “Anyone would think it’s the stock market with the prices per tooth constantly chopping and changing.”

“But it’s the kids who are taking the brunt of it all and being bullied for a low exchange rate with the tooth fairy.”

The tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth

With the price for teeth varying so much, stem cell tooth bank StemProtect.co.uk asked dozens of parents how much their kids get from the tooth fairy to find out what the current exchange rate is.

Charlotte, Bristol: “It depends on how much money we, I mean *ahem* the tooth fairy has to hand. Sometimes she can only scrape together 50p, other times £1. As long as there are a few shiny coins under the pillow, our kid doesn’t care.”

Debbie, Grimsby: “They get whatever they’re given, one time I had no money in my purse, so I left a packet of chewing gum under the pillow. Made her really popular that day at school.”

Tina, Hartlepool: “I used to give a couple of quid per tooth, but I had to bring in a new rule after my kids realised if they pulled their teeth out that they could cash in with the tooth fairy. I’ve told them that the tooth fairy won’t buy it if it doesn’t fall out naturally, and they could be sued in fairy court. It’s saved me a fair bit.”

But although it’s discretionary as to how much the tooth fairy leaves, StemProtect.co.uk found that many parents are experiencing first-hand how this has left their children in floods of tears.

Raymond, Swansea: “My daughter came home crying the other day because the other kids were telling her that the tooth fairy doesn’t love her, all because she got 50p for her tooth. Turns out the going rate in her class is a fiver every time, can you believe that?!”

Patricia, Andover: “I’ve been called into the school because my son was getting bullied for being poor, all because he only got £1 from the tooth fairy. I feel like it’s all my fault.”
Tony, Sheffield: “I gave my kids 20p, but bloody Tarquin down the road got £20 so my kids have been checking the pillow every morning as ‘she must have forgotten, dad.’ It’s been 3 weeks, and they’ve been so upset.”

“It’s tough to decide how much money to leave under the pillow from the tooth fairy, but with children being bullied and left upset, maybe there needs to be a cap so everyone feels they’ve got the same,” says company spokesperson Mark Hall.

Can lost teeth bring smiles?

Although many parents feel pressured to keep up with tooth fairy expectations, some are calling for new rules for how much teeth are worth.

One parent suggests that maybe there needs to be a standardised amount for each tooth for every child in order to stop the bullies. “If each tooth for every kid is worth 50p, there’s no huge pressure for parents to pay up, and there’s no fighting in the playground over whose teeth are worth more.”

There’s a lot of pressure for parents to keep up with how much other kids are getting from the tooth fairy, and it seems like it’s increasing every year says spokesman Mark Hall.

“Children have twenty baby teeth. If you’re giving a fiver each time, you’re giving your kid £100 in exchange for their gnashers. Think of all the takeaways and beers you can buy yourself with that.”

But it’s not all doom and gloom, and lost teeth can put a smile on people’s faces.

Although many children are being bullied for not earning enough tooth money, ten-year-old Malachi in East London donated his £5 from the tooth fairy to the Salvation Army, which sparked further funding resulting in the opening of a new homeless centre with 42 flats, which they named Malachi Place in his honour.

“Maybe this is a good way to teach children the value of money, by encouraging them to donate their tooth fairy money to good causes,” says spokesperson Mark Hall.

“Let’s use the tooth fairy to teach our kids to be kind.”

No COVID baby boom – only 1/50 considering having a baby

Pandemic fears may actually put people off of having children

There’s a certain nudge-nudge-wink-wink aimed at couples stuck at home for months in lockdown that they’d be filling their time by (ahem) trying for a baby.  

But it seems that many couples have made the decision not to conceive during the pandemic.

UK based stem cell storage company StemProtect.co.uk are predicting that a COVID baby boom isn’t going to happen, as indications show that the last thing people are thinking about during this global crisis is bringing new life into the world.

“It’s not going to happen, people are scared for their future, both health and financial,” says company spokesperson Mark Hall.

“With so much uncertainty in the world right now, people are more worried about their own outcomes after all this, let alone worry about supporting a child at the same time too.”

Boom or bust?

“If one more person says that my partner and I are going to come out of the pandemic with a child on the way, I’m going to scream,” says Hazel from Dorchester.

“We can’t afford a child right now and just because there isn’t much else going on, doesn’t mean we are ready to knock out a child because we are bored.”

Latest figures show that Hazel is not alone, as UK based StemProtect.co.uk surveyed 1200 customers online and found that only one in fifty couples are considering having a baby at this current moment.

In fact, it’s been predicted that there will be 75,000 fewer births expected due to the pandemic in the UK, which could potentially hold back the average national birth rate

Company spokesman Mark Hall says: “Covid-19 has bought huge waves of uncertainty for couples who were discussing the possibility of having a baby, because there is so much more to consider now such as potential unemployment, lack of savings and fear of contracting the virus.”

Over 80% of couples have said they would not try for a baby during the pandemic, and of those who were planning on trying, 21% have changed their minds largely due to financial instability and possible health complications.

And it’s not hard to see why couples may be worrying, with the unemployment rate in the UK projected to hit 4 million for the first time ever, and over 2.3 million people are currently claiming benefits.

Hall: “The initial concern at the start of the pandemic is that lockdown result in a huge surge of births in December and January which would overwhelm maternity wards, but it seems that finances and health concerns are preventing this from being the case.”

Staying child-free to save the world

There has already been a growing number of couples choosing not to have children, with pre-lockdown figures showing that over a third of Britons who are not already parents were saying that they never wanted to have children.

This trend has been growing from people worrying about being able to afford having a child and worrying about overpopulation and the impacts of climate change, with celebrity influencers such as Miley Cyrus saying she ‘refuses’ to have a baby with the world in its current state.

Gina and Connor from Bristol were unsure of having a child before the pandemic, “we were on the fence about having a child anyway because of global warming but seeing the global response to the threat of Coronavirus has put us off bringing new life into the world.”

Along with worrying about the state of the world and whether it’s ethical to have a child at the moment, many women often don’t want children until they feel it is the ‘right time’.

Company spokesman Mark Hall says, “Women tend to set milestones before having a child, such as settling into a job, being financially stable and owning a home – however Coronavirus may have caused a setback in these women’s plans resulting in fewer births.”

But there are still many who have found themselves expecting a new addition to the family during the lockdown period.

Charlotte from Gosport tells us, “Being pregnant while working from home has its advantages, I don’t have to hide my morning sickness and I don’t have overbearing colleagues constantly giving me baby advice and wanting to stroke my belly like they did with my first child.”

“But I’m still worried about the world I’ll be birthing my child into, because if we are in another lockdown I would be completely lost without the close support of my family and friends.”

‘I used a drone to pull out a wobbly tooth… and crashed my drone’

People tell us the weirdest ways they’ve pulled out or lost a tooth

When it comes to pulling out a wobbly tooth, people still resort to weird and wacky ways to get the job done – from the tried-and-tested string on a doorknob to the cutting edge of remote-controlled drones.

A national stem celling banking company has listed the strangest ways people have used to pull teeth, as well as the most bizarre accidents that have resulted in tooth loss.

UK-based StemProtect.co.uk has found that kids, in particular, can’t leave a wobbly tooth alone, and the lure of a pound from the tooth fairy means that they’ll go to any lengths to get it out.

But there’s a serious side to this too, says spokesperson Mark Hall – a child’s milk teeth can be used for stem cell banking, as long as you keep them out of the hands of the tooth fairy and get it straight to our experts.

Door handle vs drone: tooth extraction methods analysed

StemProtect.co.uk asked people how they had managed to extract a wobbly tooth – either one of their own or their children. They did not disappoint.

• Dave, Richmond: “You can’t beat the good old thread tied around the tooth and then round a door handle. It worked for me as a kid, and it worked on my young lad. Never fails, and it’s not a fun game for the whole family.”

• Steve, London: “My daughter got a pound for the tooth we pulled out with my remote controlled drone. I, on the other hand, lost a four hundred pound drone because I was laughing so much it crashed and got run over by a car.”

• Jan, Bristol: “My husband tied a string to a football, the other end to our six-year-old’s wobbly tooth. Kick the football. Score a goal. Tooth comes out. Simple, you’d think. But they did it indoors, and wiped out two vases and an ornament on the sideboard. Well done, everybody.”

• Hannah, Norfolk: “We went the whole Mary Poppins ‘Let’s go fly a kite’ and pulled a tooth that way. We never found that tooth, it’s somewhere in a field near Cromer.”

• Imran, Birmingham: “Reach in child’s mouth, and pull with one sharp tug. Then distract your crying child with a large reward for their bravery. Sorry if that’s a bit sensible, but my top tip is to make absolutely sure you have hold of the right tooth.”

Pulling teeth is not just restricted to kids and their milk teeth, it seems. Plenty of grown-ups have had their fair share of drama.

• Sheila, Hampshire: “I have a couple of dental implants. I also like wine gums. Dental implants need wine gum-proof glue, that’s all I’m saying”

• Tom, Glasgow: “Head-butted in the face by my dog leaving me with a big gappy smile. I still love him.”

• Simon, Bath: “I play rugby, and loads of my mates have lost a tooth or teeth on the pitch. Mine is a bit different – I fell down the stairs in the clubhouse after the match, and I hadn’t even been drinking!”

• Beth, London: “I bent over to do up a shoelace in the middle of the street and immediately got whacked in the face by a handbag. The owner was so, so apologetic, but seriously – that bag must have been full of bricks.”

Ouch, we say. Ouch.

Why your kids’ milk teeth can still be important

Even after all the drama, the crying, and the bloody tissues, and the ritual of the tooth fairy, your child’s milk teeth can still fulfil an important function.

As StemProtect.co.uk’s Mark Hall points out, extracted milk teeth are a source of dental pulp that can be used for stem cell banking.

With many parents opting to bank stem cells from their children, which could be used in future therapies for illnesses, it’s not too late if they have missed the chance to bank these cells from the umbilical cord at birth.

“Milk teeth contain unique dental pulp cells that can be harvested and processed for storage,” he says. “Apart from the inevitable drama of a little one losing their milk teeth, it’s entirely safe and non-invasive process.”

Stem cell therapies are already in use for a number of conditions and illnesses, but promising research being carried out into several others.

“That’s why savvy parents are opting for stem cell storage,” says Hall, “And it’s building up a bank of peace of mind for the future health of their family.

“All you need is to get those milk teeth, and get them to us – let our experts do the rest.”

Funny teeth facts for kids

They sometimes ache, you’re regularly told to clean them, and they help you through every meal – your teeth are with you through thick and thin. That’s why it’s so important to look after them. But your teeth are amazing, interesting things, and very few people know the truth about their teeth – try saying that three times fast!

But first, what actually makes up your tooth?

The anatomy of the tooth

Each tooth is made up of several parts, starting with the crown. This is the part of your tooth visible above your gum. Those crowns are covered with enamel, which is an extremely hard substance – the hardest in the whole body in fact. The enamel is there to protect the sensitive and delicate inner parts of the tooth.

There’s another hard substance under the enamel, which is called dentin. Both dentin and enamel are there to protect the pulp. The pulp is at the very core of your tooth and is packed full of blood vessels to keep the teeth and nerve endings healthy. Those nerve endings are what hurts when you bite into cold ice cream.

What teeth do you have?

What are those hard things in your mouth? They’re teeth, of course! But “teeth” is a very general name, you actually have different types of teeth in your mouth that are designed to help you eat in different ways.

The first four top and bottom teeth you have are called incisors, which are designed to allow you to bite into your food and cut it into smaller, bite-size chunks. Next, you have two more pointy teeth on the top and bottom, which are called canines – though they hopefully don’t look too much like dog teeth, if they do, visit your dentist! They’re there to help you tear into dense, chewy things like meat.

Then you have four premolars (otherwise known as bicuspids) on the top and bottom behind the canines. You’ll see they’re bigger, stronger, tougher looking teeth – they’re in there to help you grind up the food you’re eating into an easy to swallow mush. Tasty! That grinding is continued by your molars, which are the four teeth on the top and bottom right at the very back of your mouth.

The very last teeth to come through are wisdom teeth. One forms in the back of your mouth on each of the four sides – though some, very lucky, people don’t ever get wisdom teeth. Most people agree that wisdom teeth aren’t really necessary, and come from a time when we didn’t enjoy such a smooth and easy-to-eat diet. Some people need to have their wisdom teeth removed, as they can cause pain.

Fun facts about your teeth

Now you know what makes up your teeth, and what the different teeth in your mouth are called, here are some of the weirder facts you probably didn’t know!

They start growing before you’re born

That’s right! The first organs that appear tooth-like start appearing when the fetus is as little as six weeks old. Though they’re still super soft at this point, so they wouldn’t do you much good when it comes to tucking into your favourite meal.

Your teeth are see-through

They may look pearly and white, or darker and slightly yellowy, or even brown and black if you don’t brush them, but in reality, your teeth are actually transparent. The colour we see is actually down to a portion of the enamel absorbing and reflecting light.

Every bite is totally unique

You probably already know that every person’s fingerprint is unique, and if you didn’t, you do now! But everyone has something else unique about them too; their bite. That means that you can be identified purely by the impression of your bite.

Tooth decay is scarily common

The common cold is arguably the most common medical disorder in the world, and if you’ve ever had the sniffles you’ll know why. But second behind that is tooth decay! That means it really does make sense to brush and floss twice a day.

Right or left hand…chewing?

Right-handed people tend to mainly chew their food to the right of their mouths, while left-handed people tend to favour the left side of their mouths. Nobody knows why – but if someone can tell if you’re right or left-handed when you’re eating, chew with your mouth closed!

How much time brushing?

On average, a person will spend a combined 38.5 days brushing their teeth throughout the course of their lives – fortunately, that’s spread out over two three-minute intervals twice a day. If it isn’t, it should be, because that’s too long to brush in on sitting!

Your teeth truly are your best friends – when your permanent teeth come through, they’re the only ones you get, so make sure you look after them as best you can.
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Everything you need to know about milk teeth

We’ve all had them, but few of us will remember much about them. Milk teeth, which are more formally called ‘deciduous teeth’ because of the way they are shed, develop when we are just mere embryos. They erupt in infancy – hence the moniker ‘baby teeth’ – and fall out during childhood, making the way for our permanent adult teeth.

Why do we need milk teeth?

Milk teeth are necessary both for a child’s physical and mental development. While a baby’s mouth is not yet big enough to grow permanent adult teeth which will be needed in later life, smaller baby teeth grow in order to provide structure to the muscles of the jaw, ensure that the jaw grows to the correct size, and to provide a guide for the eruption path of later teeth.

During the early years, baby teeth also aid chewing and eating as babies transition from drinking milk to eating solid foods. Primary teeth also play a key role in children’s speech development.

When do milk teeth start to grow

Milk teeth begin emerging at a few months old and erupt in stages for the next couple of years. First, the central incisors emerge at 5-8 months, then the lateral incisors at 7-10 months. Next, the first molars show up between 11 and 18 months old, the canines between 16 and 20 months, and finally, the second molars complete the set by the age of 3, totalling 20 milk teeth altogether.

Most parents will have an inkling that their babies may be teething because their gums may appear sore and swollen and the teething process can cause a lot of discomfort, teething babies might cry a lot and put everything into their mouths in an attempt to soothe the pain. Other signs of teething also include flushed cheeks and excessive dribbling. Giving your baby something cold and hard to chew on can help with teething pain, such as a chilled teething ring or even just carrot sticks from the fridge.

How should we look after milk teeth?

Just like adult teeth, baby teeth need to be looked after. Sugary foods and acidic fizzy drinks will damage milk teeth, and even the sugars in milk can cause tooth decay if babies are allowed to sleep with their bottles of milk. Just like adults, babies and children should have their teeth brushed twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste – there are many on the market aimed at babies and children, including tasty strawberry ones – will help to keep teeth clean and healthy. Children under the age of six should always have their teeth brushed by an adult.

When it comes to nutrition, babies should get all the calcium and other nutrients they need from their breast or formula milk, while older children will need to make sure they drink plenty of cow’s milk and eat other calcium-rich foods such as cheese and leafy greens to support their developing teeth and bones.

As for taking kids to the dentist, unless you think there’s a problem, it’s not a requirement to take children to the dentist when they’re very young. However, it is recommended to begin taking children to the dentist as soon as their first milk teeth erupt, and routinely thereafter, both to catch any problems as they’re developing and to get kids used to visiting the dentist.

When do you lose your milk teeth

Of course, as young children get older they slowly lose their milk teeth – though this doesn’t mean that milk teeth don’t need looking after, too. In fact, if milk teeth are affected by tooth decay, this can also cause adult teeth growing underneath to be affected by tooth decay as well.

Milk teeth will gradually fall out during the course of primary school. The first baby teeth to go will be the central incisors at age 6-7, with the lateral incisors coming out a year later. Next the first molars and canines, which can fall out from around 9 to 11, and finally the second molars, by around 12. In their place, 32 full-size permanent teeth will grow, and these are built to last the rest of our lives. Adult teeth can take a long time to come in, especially if we include the wisdom teeth, which can often still be erupting well into our 30s.

Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule. Fans of hit TV show Stranger Things might have noticed that Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin on the show, hasn’t yet lost all of his baby teeth by age 15. That’s because Gaten has a rare condition called Cleidocranial dysostosis (CCD), which affects the development of teeth and bones, often causing both baby teeth and adult teeth to come in much later than usual. Gaten has done a lot to promote awareness of CCD, and some of the effects of the condition, including lisping speech and jaw misalignment, this reveals just how important milk teeth really are to our developing bodies.

Read – Why you should store your child’s milk teeth in a stem cell bank

Shocking things mums know about their children – that their children think are a secret

Sneaking out past curfew or spending your lunch money on chocolate – most of us will pull the wool over our parents’ eyes once or twice growing up. But, as the UK’s family stem cell bank StemProtect.co.uk has seen, some mums are wise to their offsprings’ secrets – even those which are shocking and surprising.

1. Some are on the tamer end of the scale – with one mum noticing that her son wasn’t eating his lovingly-made packed lunches at school. Finding that he’d forget what fillings he’d been given that day, she put two and two together when his pocket money went missing – presumably spent on more exciting (or sugary) snacks.

• However, more worryingly, one mother said she was well aware of her teenage daughter’s drinking, adding that while her wily teen thought she was being subtle upon her return home, the swaying and slurred speech had given her away. The exasperated mother added: “I don’t want to confront her because at least I know she’s coming home – if she tried to start hiding it more by staying over at a friend’s, I’d be more concerned.”

• One sweet tale was shared by a mother who said she knew her son was gay – but was giving him the space he needed to come out. “I couldn’t be happier,” she added, but said that she wanted to ensure there was no pressure on him to talk to her about it if he didn’t want to.

• A sneaky fourteen-year-old who think she’s pulled the wool over her mother’s eyes would have a shock if she knew that her secret boyfriend was not so secret. “I’ve spotted them out and about together – but she would be so embarrassed if I knew,” the mother of the lovestruck teen laughed.

• Think your parents don’t know about your hidden ink? Think again! One disapproving mother has caught a glimpse of the tattoo her son has valiantly attempted to hide from her, but says she ‘wouldn’t want to cause an argument’ by bringing it up.

• A thought that would strike fear into the hearts of many a young person – their parents having access to their internet habits. But for one unlucky teen, her mother knows exactly what she’s up to, after glimpsing her username on a popular forum. “I try not to check it because I believe in trusting her,” her mum confessed, “but sometimes the curiosity gets the best of me!”

• One wily teenage girl may think she’s managed to hide her expensive habit of taking taxis to school when it’s raining from her mum – but mum knows best, thanks to the taxi firm’s app being linked to her bank card.

• Even the most attentive parent might admit to relying on YouTube for a little peace and quiet occasionally – but one amused mum says she knows all about her toddler’s secret browsing. “She thinks I don’t know she’s sneaking my phone off the bedside table when she comes for a cuddle in the morning – but of course, she’s too little to realise I can hear her singing along to nursery rhyme videos!”

• Many parents would be disappointed to find out their offspring had taken up smoking – and a crestfallen mum found out the hard way, by finding a lighter in her son’s laundry basket. “He thinks he’s managed to cover the smell with cheap aftershave, but it’s obvious,” she added.

1. One worried mum has kept quiet about finding her daughter’s fake ID used for getting into nightclubs – despite only being fifteen years old. “It concerns me, of course – but the forgery is so bad I think it’s only a matter of time before she’s caught and learns a hard lesson.”

Anna Edwards, spokesperson the for reliable & affordable stem cell storage company StemProtect.co.uk, said:

“Children often think they’re pulling the wool over their parents’ eyes when, in reality, their parents are painfully aware of what their little ones are up to. It can be quite shocking for parents to learn that their once sweet youngster is now almost an adult – and it’s natural to worry about their safety and health.

“But most of us will also remember being a child or teen ourselves, and the things that we in turn hoped our parents didn’t know; a little discretion can go a long way and avoid your child becoming defensive or secretive. Encouraging honesty and openness in your family will make a huge difference when your child needs a listening ear or some parental advice – but unless your child is in danger, turning a blind eye can often give them room to learn as they navigate the world.”

‘Less than a third’ of children are brushing their teeth twice a day

Just 30% of children are brushing their teeth the recommended twice a day – leaving them at risk for serious dental problems later in life.

A study undertaken by StemProtect.co.uk, which offers the most comprehensive stem cell banking service in the UK, has shown that an alarming number of youngsters were failing to stick to the current guidelines for their dental health.

The study, which was conducted with 600 families, showed:

60% of 2- to 4-year olds brush once a day
70% of 4- to 8-year olds brush once a day
80% of parents did not know how long their children brushed their teeth for
3% of parents used a timer to check how long their children were brushing

Responses to the survey, which was conducted with 600 families, showed that of 2 – 4 year olds, 60% brush once a day, despite the NHS guidelines that teeth should be brushed twice a day, including once before sleeping. Interestingly, the report showed that in 4 – 8 year olds that number rose to 70% – perhaps suggesting that as children grow older, parents tend to let them take responsibility for their own dental hygiene, with worrying results.

Anna Edwards, spokesperson for StemProtect.co.uk, pointed out that as well as potentially costly fillings and abscesses, parents could be causing long-term damage for their children’s teeth.

“Younger children tend to be more resistant to tooth brushing, but caring for your teeth is a lifelong job. Not brushing regularly can lead to gum disease, which has been proven to have a number of serious health risks associated, including cardiovascular disease. Parents may think their children will look after their own oral hygiene once they’re old enough to brush, but it’s not worth leaving to chance.”

NHS guidelines show that, as well as an increased risk of heart attacks, gum disease has been linked to complication with strokes, diabetes and even rheumatoid arthritis – but it is easily avoided with proper dental hygiene. Dentists recommend brushing for a full two minutes, twice a day to prevent gum disease – but StemProtect’s study showed that 80% of parents failed to monitor the length of time their children were brushing for and that just 3% used a timer.

Official guidelines suggest that parents should monitor or assist with their children’s brushing until they are ten years old to instill good brushing habits and check that technique is correct.

Edwards continued:

“Parents can help their children get into good habits with brushing quite easily; using a 2-minute timer in the bathroom and reward charts for younger children are both very effective at creating a familiar routine that they will be less likely to forget as they gain independence.

“While it doesn’t seem like a life or death situation while they are younger and have their milk teeth, encouraging good dental hygiene and keeping their gums healthy will have long-lasting effects well into their adult life and can help to avoid the very real consequences of gum disease.”

Tooth fairy payouts vary from 50p to £20 – but which area has the best going rate?

Wobbly teeth are an exciting rite of passage for children anticipating a visit from the Tooth Fairy – but the going rate varies wildly around the UK, StemProtect.co.uk have found.

In a study undertaken by StemProtect.co.uk, the UKs stem cell and tooth storage bank, families were asked about the going rate for the Tooth Fairy – a tradition where parents leave money, usually coins, for their children in exchange for a lost baby tooth.

The Tooth Fairy is thought to be traceable back to early Norse and Northern European traditions, where children were paid a ‘tooth fee’ for losing their first pearly white. Despite its ancient roots, the tradition continues today, with the vast majority of parents reporting that their own version of this nocturnal visitor leaves just a few coins under the child’s pillow – a token to celebrate a childhood rite of passage.

However, StemProtect.co.uk’s research showed a variety in the amount that children received for this exciting ritual across the country.

The study, which looked at 2,000 families across the UK, showed the following ‘going rates’ for the Tooth Fairy:

Bradford – 50 pence
Edinburgh – 75 pence
Nottingham – £1.00
Manchester – £1.20
Bristol – £1.25
London – £1.50
Leeds – £1.50
Harrogate – £2.50

Children in Bradford were found to have the lowest haul from the Tooth Fairy on average at just 50 pence.

Manchester’s youngsters receive £1.20 on average, beating Edinburgh’s more modest 75 pence – and Nottingham sits squarely in the middle at £1 exactly. While London, where you might expect that the Tooth Fairy’s payouts might be higher to match the cost of living, children receive £1.50 on average – a significant percentage lower than the earnings of the lucky children living in Harrogate.

Children in the leafy North Yorkshire town were found to receive an average of £2.50 per tooth, making it the most lucrative area for losing a tooth – however, there were some isolated instances where it seemed that Tooth Fairy had really splashed the cash.

Harvey, 41, from Leeds, admitted that he eschewed the tradition of leaving coins for his child when they lost their first tooth, instead slipping a £20 note under the pillow instead. He told researchers:

“To be honest, it was a bit excessive, I’ve set a high bar for myself. I really wish I’d given less – or should that be the Tooth Fairy had given less! – but it was the first tooth and it’s a tradition.”

Anna Edwards, spokesperson for StemProtect.co.uk, noted:

“It’s clear there’s no set rate for the Tooth Fairy across the UK but many parents may be relieved to see that 50 pence is still acceptable. However, it’s also lovely to see that the tradition continues for a new generation, and it can often be a good way to talk to your children about their dental hygiene – for example, telling them that the Tooth Fairy will only leave a gift for clean teeth is usually a great motivator when it comes to the bedtime tooth brushing routine!”

Ilkley Town AFC under-5 and under-6 teams win corporate sponsorship

Ilkey Town AFC’s under-5 and under-6 teams will get a boost with their new corporate sponsorships, announced today.

The community-run football team is now sponsored by BusinessWaste.co.uk, a leading waste management firm who operate nationwide, and StemProtect.co.uk, a stem cell storage facility with 75,000 families entrusting their precious stem cells to its protection.

Budding sports stars train on at Ben Rhydding on Sundays at 8:45am – come rain or shine, its dedicated local coaches put young athletes through their paces in a fun and motivating environment which aims to enrich the surrounding community.

The newly-announced sponsors agree that supporting the initiative was an easy decision.

Mark Hall, spokesperson for StemProtect.co.uk, said:

“Grassroots sports teams are so vital to local communities around the UK and we were delighted to have a chance to help support that. Promoting health and happiness for young people is an excellent cause, and it’s clear that Ilkley Town AFC and its coaches put a huge amount of time and passion into what they do.

“Coach Andy and his team deserve so much praise for the work they do, not only in creating opportunities for local children to thrive, but also for helping to build confidence and teach new skills, which are key for young people. We’re very pleased to be a sponsor for your team!”