HOME HEALTH GUIDE

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1942, Page 6

HOME HEALTH GUIDE

ABOUT THOSE TEETH. (By The Health Department.) New Zealapders have some wrong ideas about teeth. Recent visitors to these shores haven’t been backward in telling us so. Perfect teeth are essential to perfect health, and only those children whose parents know what to do about food for teeth and habits for teeth are assured of them.

Babv teeth are very important, even though they do have to come out eventually. A poor first set is a danger signal. It shows improper feeding. Decayed first teeth make chewing difficult, may cause the ,iaw to come deformed, may poison the system, and possibly lead to early decay in the second teeth. Foods that will build up. good teeth are: Milk (1? pints a day after 2 years of age, 1 1-3 pints before) green leafv vegetables, wholemeal cereals, butter, fish, meat and eggs, together with root vegetables. These are protective foods. Chewing foods are needed as well to develop the gums, aids digestion, and cleans the teeth. These include apples, celery, raw carrot, lettuce and most raw fruits and raw vegetables. Orange or grapefruit juice, black currant or rose hips syrup make the gums strong and prevent them from bleeding; and one teaspoon of codliver oil a day helps to make; the teeth hard. When it comes to teeth habits, they should be cleaned with a brush at least twice a day. A visit should be naid to the) school dental clinic at 2 1-2 years of age, and at least twice a year from then on. Also never al low sweet stickv biscuits, cakes and sweets to' be eaten between meals. The formula for perfect teeth is really very simple, and within the reach of everyone.