ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Inner enamel epithelium

The inner enamel epithelium is a very special part of our teeth that helps them grow when we are developing as babies. It is like a little factory inside our gums that makes our teeth grow bigger and stronger.

You know how when you are little, you lose your baby teeth and new ones grow in their place? Well, the inner enamel epithelium is responsible for making those new teeth grow!

Inside our gums, there are special cells called dental papilla that help the inner enamel epithelium grow. These cells work together to make a special substance called enamel, which is the hard outer layer of our teeth that helps protect them from getting hurt or damaged.

Think of the inner enamel epithelium like a little garden growing inside your gums. The dental papilla are like the soil or the fertilizer that helps the garden grow, and the enamel is like the flowers or vegetables that grow in the garden.

Even though we can’t see the inner enamel epithelium because it’s hidden inside our gums, it is still a very important part of our teeth that helps us eat, smile, and talk every day. So it’s important to take care of our teeth by brushing, flossing, and going to the dentist regularly!