CHILDREN'S TEETH TROUBLES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 16

CHILDREN'S TEETH TROUBLES.

The question is often asked when should a nurse begin to brush a child's teeth? It is impossible to begin the use of the brush too soon. The'first time the child's mouth is washed, let a small, suitable, brush, not a sponge, be used at least twice a day, thoroughly and carefully. It is a hopeless task to attempt to persuade boys and girls of from eight to sixteen—a time of life when the will is strong, and neither care for the future nor interest in personal appearance has taken any hold upon the mind —to pav attention to their teeth, if the habit of cleanliness in this respect has not been formed in early childhood. Let the child grow up from its earliest consciousness with a feeling that a tooth brush is a daily necessity to be faithfully used, and the habit will not be easily set aside when the. mind begins to act for itself. See that .'the teeth are really brushed in a common-sense manner, as a piece of plate would be cleaned for the table. No good housekeeper would allow a piece of plate to be put on the table with all the prominent parts nibbed bright and all the depressions and crevices full of dirt. But that is exactly what almost everybody does with his teeth, and certainly it is what all children will do if they are not taught-bitter. To do the work properly the brush must be of sufficient hardness or softness to allow of its being forced well into all the interstices, inside and outside, with an up and down movement as well as backwards and forwards, and transversely across the front, permitting a good, vigorous rubbing of both teeth and gums, but without wounding the latter. "When the teeth are not very hardy a thread of very loosely twisted silk or linen, well waxed with common beeswax, should be passed through all the insterstices, and every fragment of food removed, either in this manner or with a toothpick. Few people realise that a tooth has five sides, and it is curious how often the surfaces next to the tongue and palate are unaccountably neglected. A perfect toothbrush is difficult to obtain. For adults it is best made of horsehair, and for young children of the finest hairs, whilst for babies badger hair is hard enough. Any brush will be worthless in a month if always kept wet, since the hairs will rot and come off. It should be carefully dried and hung up, fully exposed to the air, until required again. If treated thus it will last six months at least, which is quite as long as any toothbrush should be used.— The Hospital.