CHILDREN'S TEETH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXiX, Issue 7727, 22 February 1909, Page 4

CHILDREN'S TEETH.

THE NEED FOR CARE

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, February 19. Dr A. E. Sykcs, dental professor, of San Francisco, who attended the Dental Conference in Wellington last month, made some interesting remarks to a reporter to-day concerning the need for the care of children's teeth. Dr Sykes said that since he had been in New Zealand ho had been asked how it was that the people of this dominion had such poor teeth. " I have noticed myself," he remarked, "that very few people here aro without artificial work in their mouths; this is very noticeable. I have 6een beautiful young girls wearing full dentures. I have been asked whether the bad teeth of the people of New Zealand are due to lack of lime salts, or whether the children are improperly fed, or what the cause is ? I can say in reply that the principal cause is the neglect of the teeth of children of three years and over. Everyone knows how little children suffer with toothache," Dr Sykes went on, " and with little abscesses on the gums long before the second set begins to appear; this inflammation causes impeded circulation of the vessels that supply the formative organs of the second teeth. As the formative organs depend on the blood supply for tho lime salts which aro deposited in them, they will be imperfectly formed owing to the non-receipt of nourishment." When parents recognised the fact- that it is just as necessary to keep their children's first teeth perfectly clean, and take the children to a dentist to fill the little cavities, they will find that they will bring about a normal formation of the jaws, and more strongly formed permanent teeth. If the first or temporary teeth are neglected, the child cannot masticate its food properly, and the digestion is interfered with, the food not being properly assimilated. The elements do not get into the blood that are necessary to form good hard teeth structure. " Tho New Zealand Dental Association," Dr Sykes went on to say, "is compiling a lecture which it hopes to •havq read to school children in the dominion, and also to have printed to put into the hands of parents, so as to instruct them how to take care of the teeth. The Association also intends to have certain dentists in each town deputed to examine the children's teeth at school, and report on their condition to the various parents through the 'headmasters." This reform should be in hand before the end of the year, and lie hoped it would be supported by the Minister and Boards^ of Education. \