Care of Childern's Teeth.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 76

Care of Childern's Teeth.

It is a vo.-y common impression that the milk tooth of children need no dentist's attention, ;'iid that tho sooner they decay and f all out tho socnci- rhcro will be room left for the ] ennanent; teeth to grow in ; but this is a popular error, for the second or permanent teeth ow-> their character in some /iiMsuro to tho condition of the ni>c ttt, and any defect, either in shape, prMt'on, or texture on the part of a milk tooth is apt to be reflected in the corresponding sero'id tcc'th. Therefore, when "a milk tooth becomes decayed, it should he cleansed and stopped by a dentist, and if' tho tooth are protruding or malformed, the use of a frame or of other means, by '.vhich the first teeth can bo trained in the"w?y they should go. will lead to fnc eventual possession of more ever-, and regular and sounder teoth.

Even in respectable and otherwise particular fani'lies it, is not uncommon to find the children are excused the ordeal of brushing the teeth until the reeond set have aa-ived. This neglect is most pernicious and quite unpardonable. As soon as a child can waf=h h:s own Lands and face, he should bo taught to brush his teeth and before that time they should be regularly closnsed for him. Every child should be taught as scon as possible to rinse out t,r e mcuth after every meal, for there is no n/cre certain cause for decay than the decomposition of particles of food lodged botweon th e teeth, which even briishiiT* without the act of rinsing, vrilY not 1 "ahvavs ' remove. . The principal cause , of , decay has already teen indicated— namely, the decomposition of food particles between the teeth, wJiieh gives rise to the formation of "acids 'which' penetrate and corrods the dental enamel. Aexfc comes the" question of 'foods. All hot foods are injurious to the teeth,' for" they are apt to crack the enamel, iust as hot water will crack a glass ; and once cracked, the enamel is sure to decay. Chill drens food should be given as nearly as possible at blood heat or slightly lessnever above that temperature., Cold fluids' taken with or immediately after hot foods"' f.re also apt to crack ihe dental enamel; indeed, any sudden change of temperature is bad for the teeth. . Sweet foods and rich dishes lead to decay more quickly than plain and frugal fare and animal foods aTo generally more hurtfin in this respect than vegetable aliments. Medicines also are son>eti:nps to blame for premature loss of teeth. Those containinoiron mercury, or any acid should be <nv«n m hie shipe of pills, m- within eaps'uh-. ivhen possible, or if they are a necessarily fluid, they should be taken through a glass medicine tube.