OUR BABIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 201, 15 July 1936, Page 12

OUR BABIES

(By “Hygcia.”) Published under the auspices of the Tio.val New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (Plunket Society). “It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom.” CARE AND PRESERVATION OF the Teeth. In continuing our recent talk, let us study for a moment the process of decay caused by the fermentation of food which sticks on or between the teeth after meals. The acid formed by the fermentation of these particles of food eats slowly through the enamel and ivory to the pulp cavity of the tooth and there, free from all disturbances, rapidly spreads. A high arched palate, crowded teeth, and unhealthy gums are the chief predisposing causes of decay. The foods which form the acid are the sugary and starchy foods, such as potatoes, rice, tapioca, and sago, white bread, biscuits, and cake, porridge, honey, jam, and all sweets

and syrups. Any of these taken Inst thing at night is particularly harmful. While most of these foods are necessary for variety in the diet, they should not be used at the end of a meal; finish always with a cleansing food.

Pap feeding and inferior bottle feeding may possibly result in enlarged tonsils and adenoids, rheumatic fever and heart disease, chronic nose and ear diseases, indigestion, poor nutrition, and gencrai debility. To recapitulate briefly, the essentials for the preservation of the teeth arc, firstly, sound construction, and, secondly, wise exercise. Perfect capacious jaws and sound beautiful teetli cannot he built without regard being paid to all the simple and universal requirements lor health throughout babyhood and childhood, especially daily exercise.

A well-balanced diet is necessary for the good nutrition of the body, and for the expectant mother it is of paramount importance. A well-balanced diet should include meat, fish, eggs, wholemeal, plenty of raw and cooked fruits and vegetables (green leafy kinds forming a large proportion of the latter), milk, butter, cheese, and plenty of water to drink. Such foods are good from every point of view, as they arc excellent sources of carbohydrate, fat, and protein, mineral salts and vitamins, and they also provide the necessary chewing exercise. Three balanced meals a day, each concluded with a tooth cleansing item such as a raw apple or juicy carrot, and nothing between meals but water or Iruit drinks, form a simple, economical regimen, with far-reaching benefits, yet it is one wo are slow to adopt.

The smallest, and yet the most important, unit ol any household equipment is the toothbrush. The most elficiont type is short in the head, sturdy in construction, curved as to handle, and shaped to conform to the inner surface of the teeth. It the teeth are well brushed at least twice daily, preferably last tiling at night and first thing in the morning, with a firm circular movement over the inner, outer, and biting surfaces with some salt and water, every cranny and crevice will be swept clean, not only by the brushing and rinsing, but also by the increased flow of saliva. The toddler’s toothbrush is a “Mom Thumb” one, but in imitating mother s method she may not cleanse the teeth as effectively witn the brush as with a piece of apple with which she finishes tier meal. However, if the habit of using the toothbrush is built into her character from such an early age, it will never bo neglected. Though dentifrices may he preferred occasionally by the adul--, they are not advocated lor the chi-d, as their pleasant taste makes them dangerously palatable, and so easily swallowed. After use, the toothbrush is rinsed and shaken und hung in an airy place to dry. It is advisable tor every member of the family to have two brushes, distinguishable in some way, that each may be allowed thoroughly to dry before being used again. XSext in importance is regular dental supervision. The two-year-old who goes witn mother to the dentist, showing him each time her 20 little pearls, gains confidence in the man who will zealously guard her teeth up through school age and high school age to maturity. Every individual should have regular inspection of the mouth by the dentist at intervals ol three months. Only the trained eye of the dentist can detect the tiny black speck that tells ot decay long before it causes toothache; only he can explain the reason why the five-year-old s ceetii are becoming more spaced, the jaws having expanded steadily to provide room lor b2 permanent teeth; only he can prevent Hie tragedies ot eariy extraction ot milk teetn or the prolonged retention winch results in ugly, useless, jumbled teeth. He will slowly and patiently work to repair the damage done by bad habi<.s. Other damaging uabits arc thumb and huger sucking, mouth breathing, tongue chewing, abnormal speectj habits, such as lisping, or abnormal swallowing habits, and even posture pressure trom sleeping on the hand ouch habits destroy tue bite, obstruct the airwavs, and change the child s whole facial appearance. Often their inlluence is so insidious that it escapes the notice of parents, and faults which earlier could have been corrected m a few months later take jeais. Many such habits commence in babyhood. Sucking is the most primal and satisfying ol an infants activities and, if the nipple or teat are not there the tendency is to substitute something else—a finger or a thumb, a dummy, a piece of lip drawn in, or the tongue, or even a piece ot blanket ° l As the child grows older, the habit is increasingly difficult to eradicate, and only a knowledge of the evils which it sets in train will strengthen the parents’ determination to effect a ° U The deformities resulting from these various habits may take years to correct. A short description of the several factors entering into a mouth breathing deformity may he of interest. First, there is obstruction of the airways by adenoids or a bony deformity; next the lower jaw is drawn down for mouth breathing, with the-tongue on the floor of the mouth, and loss of its normal pressure on the inner surfaces of the upper teeth, which counteiacts the pressure of the cheek muscles. These force forward the incisors and narrow the arch. The upper lip becomes stunted and short, resting on the gum instead of directing the incisors downward. AVhat can be done to remedy such widespread decay and malformation? There is one remedy prevention—and one method—cancation. Thorough, practical, convincing education of every parent, of every adult, and of every child who, in turn, will join the health worker in combating this menace. Do we individually do our share of this universal education ? Do we, when the neighbours say. “bottle feeding is just as good,” comment, “breast feeding is so important,” or do we convince them by detailed description of its lifelong benefits? Do we explain to the mother of the toddler whose health standard has fallen, from the standard of the first year how the

permanent teeth will suffer? Do we point out to the young girl wlio complacently remarks that .she has all her ieetli out because it saves such a lot W trouble and expense that such a state of affairs is to be regarded, as a catastrophe which may result in a lowered standard of health, and possible loss of "charm due to her altered appearance? Daily we must carry this gospel far and wide:—Breast fading, hard feeding, thorough cleansing, regular supervision. And may we risk boring you by recapitulating a few simple rules ?

1. Do everything to maintain good health. Remember good teeth are built out of blood. 2. Provide foods that contain the necessary building elements and foods which give ample exercise.

3. Avoid the dummy as you would the plague, and recognise and correct any malforming habits, such as thumb sucking. 4. Train the child to breathe through the nose, and ensure an abundant supply of fresh air. 5. Clean the teeth intelligently twice daily. Wj 6. Have regular dental inspection of the mouth every three months.