DENTAL DECAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26608, 3 November 1947, Page 4

DENTAL DECAY

EFFECT OF MALNUTRITION FLOUR AND SUGAR HARMFUL “ Unless we are prepared to reduce sweetened foodstuffs in our diet to a minimum, the dental profession will have to resort to the use of chemical safeguards to prevent dental decay,’' said Dr C. D. Hearman, lecturer in preventive dentistry, and dietetics at the Australian College of Dentistry, Melbourne, in a broadcast address last night. _. Accepted by Usage “Custom and long usage have resulted in the previous acceptance of these foods without question, but the despotism of custom has often proved to be a long-standing hindrance to human advancement," Dr Hearman said. “Let it not be said that the benefits of modern scientific knowledge were denied to those who need them most, simply because apathy and disinterest resulted in no demand being made for them. “Dental disease is entirely due to malnutrition, and it is paradoxial that Australians and New Zealanders, . having food resources that are the ’ envy of most other nations, should nevertheless share the doubtful distinction of being the possessors of the worst teeth in the civilised world. It is not too much to say that the, mouths of most of our people are from 10 to 20 years older than the rest of their bodies.

“Nearly everybody practises the common habit of cleaning the teeth first thing in the morning and last thing at night,” said Dr Hearman. “In the light of our recently-gained knowledge regarding the rate of acid formation in the mouth, both of these procedures are practically useless. For the teeth are dirtied again at breakfast, whilst by the time we are ready to retire at night the damaging action commenced shortly after we left the dinner table has already taken place. Obviously the time to clease the teeth is within 15 to 20 minutes after meals. Effect pi Sweetened Foods

“ The idea that decay of the teeth was related to poorly formed, soft or chalky teeth is entirely wrong,” he said. “ Everybody starts life with good strong sound teeth, unless the mother suffers from certain fevers during the pre-natal period. The teeth, only become soft and chalky because of the acids formed from sweetened footstuffs. Even the Maoris, who had perfect teeth when they lived on natural foods, soon lose their teeth when they eat the white man’s sugar and flour.

“ Reduce the consumption of sweetened foodstuffs to a minimum, practise teeth cleaning or mouth rinsing as soon as possible after meals, and aVail yourselves of the new preventive and protective measures as soon as they become available,” concluded Dr Hearman. “ The idea that decay is inevitable because we have rotten teeth should be knocked out once and for all. Bad teeth are simply the result of a bad diet.”