The Care of the Teeth.

Progress, Volume III, Issue 4, 1 February 1908, Page 142

The Care of the Teeth.

[By H. M. Kilgour].

What causes the teeth to decay ?" and " Whydo they decay so rapidly ? " are questions which every dentist is repeatedly asked, and we can only reply that the trouble is caused by neglect or inability to keep the teeth perfectly clean. Decay must begin on the outside surfaces of the teeth, and is caused by particles of food becoming lodged about the teeth and allowed to remain there unnoticed and unmolested. Obviously, then, the only way to prevent the trouble is to take every precaution to keep the mouth and the teeth in a thorough state of cleanliness. All teeth are not alike in strength of structure, and consequently when the weaker ones are attacked by decay the disease makes more rapid progress than in teeth composed of stronger material. The necessity of a free use of tooth-brush and powder cannot be too strongly impressed upon children, and every parent should see that his children make a regular habit of cleaning their teeth at least twice a_ day — morning and evening. The habit once acquired will be a lasting one, and be of the utmost benefit and importance to the children as they grow up. From the age of six years onwards it is always a gooa thing for children to be taken to a dentist at regular intervals — say of three or four months — to have a thorough and systematic examination of their teeth made, and any defects that are then discovered can be speedily remedied. I might suggest that a simple tooth-powdei of the following formula would ba a very good one. Prepared Chalk . . . . 2 oz. Powdered Orris Root . . 2 oz. Pnmice Stone . . 1 oz.