OUR BABIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3342, 3 April 1918, Page 52

OUR BABIES.

By Hygeia.

Published under tho auspices of trie Royal New Zealand Society tor the Health ol VYonie-n and Children. "It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom."

GOOD TEETH (Concluded.) This weok we shall conclude- our extracts from the little American book "Good 'leeth; How They Grow and How 'to Keep Them." WHAT A DENTIFRICE CAN AND CANNOT DO. Ihe purpose of a tooth paste.or tooth powder is to help the tootnbrush cleanse the teeth and mouth. A dentifrice is not a germicide. and therefore it cannot sterilise the mouth by killing disease germs. There are two reasons why this cannot be done : (1) Because the liquids of the mouth are constantly changing, and the dentifrice does not remain in the mouth long enough. (2) Because an antiseptic strong enough to kill disease germs would injure the oeiicate membrane of the mouth.' Properly-prepared tooth powders and pastes contain chalk, which is a good scourer. Only the finest precipitated ciialk is suited for this purpose, as inferior grades contain sharp crystals which scratch the enamel. For the same reason pumice is also too harsh a scourer, and dentifrices containing it should be avoided. DENTAL FLOSS. ■Don't use metal or wooden toothpicks. The best way to remove food from between the teeth is by the use of waxed floss silk, which cleans the places where the toothbrush cannot reach. If the floss instantly breaks when pulled between the same teeth it means either that a new cavity has formed or that a filling needs poiishmg. The daily use of silk is very important. It is the only thorough way of cleaning between the teeth, where cleaning is most needed. •Memo, bx "Hygeia."—When using dental floss, or other means of "silking," great care must be taken not to cut or injure the gume. WHOLESOME FOOD SAVES THE TEETH. Like all the organs of the body, the teeth need exercise; hence hard crusts, etale whole-wheat bread, and other coarse and fibrous food, which require thorough chewing before they can be swallowed, are especially good, not only for children, but for adults. They keep the teeth well exercised, cause a good supply of blood, develop the muscles, and expand the jaws so that room is provided for the larger teeth. The following rules will be found useful in regulating tne child's food: (1) Food at regular hours only; nothing between meals. (2) Plenty of time should be taken. On no aocount should a child bolt his food. (3) The child must be taugnt to chew his food. (4) Children should not be continually urged to eat if they are disinclined to do eo at their regular nours of teeding, or if tne appetite is habitually poor. Under no circumstances should a child be forced to eat. (5) Indigestible food should never be given to tempt the appetite when ordinary simple food is refused; and food should not be allowed between meals because it is refused at meal time. (6) One serious objection to allowing young children highly seasoned food, such as jellies, pastry, sweets, etc., is that children soon lose appetito for the simple food, which previously was taken with relish. (7) it there is any imjiortant article of diet, such as milk, meat, cereals, or vegetables, which a child habitually refuses, this should always be given first at the meal and other food witnheld until it is disposed oi. Children so readily form habits of eating only certain things and rejecting others that such an inclination should be checked early. How to Use Youb Den.tist.

The modern dentist would prefer, like the Chinese doctor, to be paid tor keeping his patients well. No one needs to dread the dentist's chair if he will only make up his mind to visit the dentist regularly, if your dentist sees you often enough he can lill the cavities while they arc small, before the tooth is badly injured. He can also clean your teeth thoroughly, remove tartar deposits, and advis» you concerning the use of the toothbrush, dentifrice, dental rloss, and other measures which keep your mouth in condition to resist tooth decay. This is far cheaper than to wait until decay has gone so far that, when an aching tooth finally forces you to go to the dentist, ho is obliged to perform a long, difficult, and often painful operation, for which he must charge accordingly. Twice-a-year visits to the dentist are necessary. Many people wisely make a practice of going more often and having the dentist give their teeth a thorough cleaning. WHAT CAUSES TOOTH DECAY? We all know what happens when food is left exposed to the air for any length of time. Eood caught between the teeth ferments. This fermentation is caused by micro-organisms which generate an acid. The acid secretion of these micro-organisms is a solvent for the lime salts which compose the bulk of the tooth structure. It will thus be seen that decay is directly .due to the presence of fermenting food particles in the mouth. Remove these particles by means of the toothbrush, dental lioss, and mouth wash, and you prevent decay. A considerable cavity may be formed in the tooth before its presence is made known by a toothache. No pain is felt until decay has penetrated far enough to expose the sensitive pulp. Diseases which occur in childhood, such as measles, whooping cough, chicken pox, and scarlet fever, make the teeth more liable to decay. This is becau.se during sickness the teeth are not receiving proper care. Sometimes the first permanent molars come 'through with defective enamel. When this happens it is especially important that they be kept clean until they have erupted sufficiently to be treated by 'the dentist.