LUNCHEON CLUB.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 172, 22 June 1926, Page 8

LUNCHEON CLUB.

“DISEASES OF THE TEETH.”

ADDRESS BY AIR J. S. HORNBLOAV Air J. S. Hornblow, of Palmerston North, spoko at the Citizens’ Luncheon Club to-day on the subject, “Diseases of the Teeth.” Air A. E. Ekstedt was in tho chair. Air Hornblow illustrated by means of coloured diagrams the processes in the decay of a tooth. He stated that the first cause of decay was the acid that formed in the mouth, and the first stage was a hollow carved in the tooth and a slight discolouration; in the second stage the dentine was attacked by another form of organism; the dentine was formed from a tissue that had no resistance to disease. In the second stage, where there was no bodily discomfort, the pulp was attacked. The gums, continued the speaker, had a very high resistance except to various specific diseases. The’ saliva in the mouth was capable of being alkaline and acid; if one had an acid saliva various acids that the toothbrush missed would be precipitated around the teeth. When pus was present in a tooth it was absorbed by three channels and thereupon was started a deal of trouble, one disease, pyrrohea, being responsible for more gastric ulcers and joint .troubles .than originated any other cause. The percentage of decay among the Alaoris was very high; in the Stone Age the percentage was 2.9; in the Roman age with the growth of civilisation the percentage rose to 32. If teeth were well placed and regular we had a good chance of comparative immunity from disease, and then again there was the question of diet. The food of to-day was of a sticky nature —white bread and cakes—“and you would be surprised,” stated Air Hornblow, “the amount of this kind of food that hangs around teeth. “Y’ou can brush them well, but it still remains.” He stated that, if one used an alkaline tooth paste, one was looking for trouble, for it produced an acid reaction and caused decay. AVith the native races of India and Asia one found very little disease, yet their staple diet was carbo-hydrates, which was a paradox. AVith regard to diet and the promotion of saliva, which protected the teeth, the speaker stated that with apples and oranges there was a high acceleration of the saliva. At the conclusion of his remarks a hearty vote of thanks was tendered tho speaker, on behalf of the club, by Air Rattle.