How are metals used in our bodies?

How are metals used in our bodies?

Metals are used across the world in many different ways, they are used in the making of structures, computers and body replacements like titanium joints. Titanium joints were introduced around the 1950s and are still a common thing today. Titanium has almost perfect properties for body part replacement, for example, it is immune to corrosion, non-magnetic (meaning it isn't attracted to other metals), lighter than steel, a high boiling and melting point (meaning on a hot day it's not just gonna boil or melt inside you). 

However, titanium is also used in other things to do with the body other than joints. Titanium teeth (dental implants) is a two-stage process used to replace missing teeth. First, a titanium implant is put into each of the empty where a tooth used to be. If a tooth was recently removed you will not be able to get an implant there for 6-8 weeks as the dentists will want to watch out for any inflammation or infection. 8 weeks after this your gum is opened and the dentists will place an abutment then the gum is re-closed. 1-2 weeks afterwards the gums should have healed and teeth look-alikes are placed inside your mouth to make it look like you have normal teeth. 

We in a way also have natural "metals" in our body's. One of these is of course calcium. However like every other "metal" in our body, it is not in a solid-state, in fact, it is just an ion with a plus +2 charge. Some natural metals inside our body are quite crucial for our survival. Cobalt ions are crucial in making red blood cells while iron can transport oxygen and other chemicals in our body. Calcium helps with bone strength, nerve function and blood clotting. There are two types of important metals in our body's, major minerals and trace minerals. Major minerals are needed in large quantities inside our body whereas trace minerals aren't found in as large quantities. Major minerals include calcium, chloride, magnesium and potassium to name a few. Trace minerals include chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine and iron to name a few. Both types are equally important in our health the only difference is the quantity you find.