THE CARE OF TEETH.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12291, 7 September 1905, Page 5

THE CARE OF TEETH.

" A NATIONAL PROTECTOR."

CONCOCTIONS TO BE GUARDED AGAINST.

' '"There was,much truth in observing that tooth powder might serve as a better national protection than gun powder." These ore the words. of Professor Starling, president of the Australasian Medical Conference, now sitting at Adelaide. Believing that tooth powders now on sale include some concoctions whkh might be fitly, described'by any kind of vile epithet, and that a large number of so-called tooth pastes are rubbish of the most injurious and detrimental ingredients, a "Press" reporter made it his business to call on some of the leading dentists and chemists to ascertain their views on the subject. One gentleman had no hesitation in declaring that absolutely useless preparations were being sold as tooth powders, and people cheerfully bought them on the assumption" that they "would, preserve teeth for every and a. day. " Where there is little accumulation of acid," he said, "it is far better to use a brush and water, only, for the teeth. Powders cannot do any good unless they are . a corrective of _ acids. Chalk and charcoal and other ingredients used in tooth, powders, unless ground , very 'finely, are positively injurious to th© gums." Asked about the "prescription" of the general run of these cheap ahd harmful powders and liquids for the teeth our authority said they invariably contained soap and other cheap forecgn substances useful, only for filling up the receptacle-in which they were foisted on an unsuspecting public. -■■';'., *'•..'-• A chemist said he knew of powders which contained pumice stone, cutth fish bone, and even powdered glass! It was hardly to explain, even to a layman, what the daily use of powders containing stuff of this sort would result in- X. .No dentist would recommend ,'» tooth powder Unless he was aware of Hs ingredients. 7 /Our reporter was given to understand that

there is a tooth powder on the market whioh has been prepared according to a prescription approved by the .Dental Association." In.conclusion the chemist sadd he. wished to make it clear that he recognised, there j were... many excelr lent powders on the market which, were sold at very reasonable prices. V: Another dentist interviewed *vas aviso emphatic =)!»,the statement* that there ' are many /excellent powders and tooth pastes ohfftsale, but, he waa'aquetlly emphetip jn'Shis' condemnation of the gritty substances, masquerading yiri : boxes VithalluriMg. pictures an& directions, and selling as"" leading " tooth powdters: /■Why,*: he r declared" y"I know of a case where a dentists apprentice of six mopths standing left his employer and immediately" sought fame by tooth powder !"> 'The pastes he niost/com-';!. mended were the carbolic preparations. They served .to "remove r acid: and prevented any.'- food that ymijirbtt remain bei • twoen "the y teeth yfrt>m "f"OTnenting.;,« At tho same time* he .recognised- that,'the rubbish sold /as' tooth" small;quantity:" >Genenally the.stuff was ' made ; up: in expensive :*. ho iaw yor Jtins, with "a glaringytitle.*' ' The > buyer.'paid for the package, and'the contents Wer* thrown in. X -~~ r~- .■■».->.' X-;-7iyyX7,.y v- •.".■;■ .. Having -gained/this 'infonmifcion'the reporter, conceived the idea of growing r away sixpence of ; his weekly earnings; to discover- how machinei: worked... He called at o- small shop with • display of tooth: brushes' and pastes, .fit yWas* just the "sort ; of'building y would chemist and wantedsa, *toothy : powder;, ■ No' doubt they have been accustomed 1 for:Vyoarft".'/ but, thoirsandltKhbfyrpeo^lo^ywant:, tooth / thing ©heap, r*W "Can you der P" the Pressman;,«sked; 4 aiat/ho<.saun-v/ tered want a must*'hoe?'--good."/''.- Xy-X^''''7^f^7'^7^7.h7;77^}Xy7Xf : . . forthcoming/; y It'i.; > wps..ro^{&'si3tpenc»iv:".: and thrown bal testimonial -, that ?B '*f f (Mt * T M /cue-" - y tomers said/itwas;very}nioßoad bought "v it ...regularly J'y '- \ wwa r :: J Abating down a v wiater- channelv c three ;mmtit^]ate>..°H':'K:,i^' : useful for: filling up: holes in;the ". way .■ than';- ■■• ;.'■" v./-.•-.-. ;' Another/ chemist / ■ said '*;' 'the 'i -people 7 themselves were -'to/blame they;'got • bady powders.; ; They '?wanted iydieap" good>,, and enterprisingi individuals were ready: to mike capitalV .ignorance.:.: yHe . mainta&ediytihafc;jnostly of the; powdera and;. pastes'-; sold y •their purpose/well; andifhiaywas'ishown':-" hy th©:steady/demand^fafc»theni^