CHEWING FOR HEALTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16875, 28 October 1922, Page 2

CHEWING FOR HEALTH.

nqsMAL iftSATtilNO JMEfiEJSSAB Y:

One ef t.hf> mu?! lit go»d Wua Is iSie ikeK-augfa aiastteaTour diUtWt! to eherri Slid give them food which requires chewing. Avoid softs food swell as bis. ctiits. cake, new bread, etc. Give ft ibet of crisp lioast. crusts baked bal’d, catcake, oatmeal porridge, meat in moderation* vegetables—both cooked and fresh and plenty of fruit, particularlv apples. If sugar and sweets are taken, use moderately, Thorough chewing gives the muscles of the 3aw and face proper exercise. The thrust of the lower jaw against the upper spreads and develops the tiny bones of the face. . , , Hard crisp food, properly chewed, causes a rush of saliva into the mouth which causes* certain changes in the food, preparing it for further digestion in tho stomach. Tho saliva, it must be remembered, is Nature’s mouth wash. With soft food there is little or no exercise for the j. n vs the saliva does not flow freely into the mouth and does not mix properly. The food clings to the teeth, ferments rapidly, and develops acids which cause decay. Parents, do not let your children breathe through the mouth. Teach Litem to breathe through the nose. A cold early in life is one of the greatest causes of mouth breathing. Mouth breathing causes ill shaped jaws, promiment teeth, round shoulders and flat chests. Raw air is taken straight to the lungs, particles of dust irritate and inflame the throat —cold follows cold in lapid succession Air breathed through the nose is filtered and warmed on its way to the lungs. The bones which form the inside of the nose are expanded and developed. Nip your babe’s cold in the bud! Watch it when asleep, and, if there is any tendency to mouth breathing—if tlie- lips are apart, press them gently together, or lightly tickle them. Keep at it and you will find that the lips will soon remain tightly closed. Do not allow your children to suck dummies or their thumbs. The normal exercise for the jaws in natural feeding from the breast is chewing not sucking. All sucking habits distort the tiny developing jaws. The ordinary dummy is much too long and almost reaches the back of the throat. Place your longest finger in your mouth. Suck on it. and notice the pull of the muscles of the throat. This is the- effect a dummy has with a child. Parents, give your children a chance to grow up strong and healthy men and women, instead of weaklings. Their future is for you to make or mar. Vvhidi do you choose?