USE THE TOOTHBRUSH

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13448, 29 March 1917, Page 7

USE THE TOOTHBRUSH

IMPORTANCE OF CLEAN TEETH. In a pamphlet recently issued by a 'iental hospital it is explained that even ■ mall children's teeth should be regularly cleaned. As scon as all the twenty teeth of the first set are through, a small toothbrush should he provided, and the child taught to clean its teeth thoroughly, back and front, up and down. It is not the easiest thing at first to insist upon a child's forming the habit of cleaning its teeth twice a day—and they ought to be cleaned twice. The bedtime cleaning and brushing is even more important than that of the morning. Says one of the best-known London dentists :—Do not give bread, cakes or biscuits to a child at bedtime unless it is sure to clean its teeth after eating them. Particles of such food remain clinging round the teeth, and in the warmth of the mouth such particles ferment and cause the teetli to decay, especially in rrses where they are not very strong '• ' "in with. l'obnst people usus !'y ' ve stronger teeth than tlior-e of more delicate constitution. So, if the children are rather fragile .it is particularly important that they should take special care of their teeth. They should never be allowed to make their teeth do duty as nut-crackers, scissors, etc. Children should be taught to keen their tooth-brushes in a thoroughly clean state also. It is much the best to keep a tooth-brush in a case with a perforator top. Such a case costs only a few pence, and if each child is provided with one it will help to emphasise the need for keeping the tooth-brush clean and strictly for one's own use. The tooth-brush should be cleansed with a good disinfectant occasionally.