THE CARE OF THE TEETH.

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 268, 18 October 1917, Page 6

THE CARE OF THE TEETH.

No disease is more common to-day than the disease of decayed teeth. Practically no children grow up without having some decay in their teeth, and it is very common to find children not more than three «*r four years old with decay in nearly all their first teeth. Some parents think that because these first teeth are only temporary such a condition as this is of slight importance. This idea is a great mistake for two important reasons : (1) Because the second teeth depend upon the first ones, especially for their regularity and position. (2) Because the early years are enormously important in a child’s development, and no child can devc op normally and healthily when his teeth arc destroyed by decay. The temporary back teeth, which are the most important from the point of View of use, should last till the child is 11 years old. If these teeth decay and are neglected they have to be extracted prematurely, and the permanent teeth come through in the wrong places, they become crowded and ugly, and are much more susceptible to decay. The only hope of a child getting good, permanent teeth is for him to have a clean mouth when Ins temporary ones are in place. Temporary teeth decayed and neglected very soon become sore. They may not ache, but food gets between them, and they are uncomfortable —chewing becomes a painful process, and the natural result is that the child gives it up. Then the mouth and teeth become dirty, and decay spreads all round. You must all have noticed how bright a spade or plough-share is when it has been much used —the mere use of friction makes it bright and clean. It is the same with the teeth, the more we chew, and the harder and coarser the food we eat, the cleaner our teeth. Remember, then, that the first teeth, if they decay, should be filled. It is only when they have gone too far to be filled that they are better extracted. Take a child regularly to see a dentist. When the teeth begin to ache it is often too late to save them. The first permanent teeth come through when the child is six years old; these teeth are known to

dentists as the “six year molars.” There are four of them —two in each jaw .md they come behind the temporary ones. Like all back tecih, they are very given to decay, and often require to be filled after they have been through two or three years, i'h so are often thought to be temporary teeth, and arc neglected with the rest. In due course they ache, the child is brougnt to the dentist, and the surprised parent hears that a permanent tooth must be sacrificed, and so .» tooth, which by means of a simple filling might have been of service for 50 years, is lost when the child is nine years old, and this tooth is the biggest and most important in the whole mouth. So much for the need of having teeth, both temporary and permanent, seen to, and filled in time before they ache. Now I wish to discuss what is really more important -why teeth decay, and what can be done to pre vent them from decaying. because, although decay is a universal disease to-day, it is considered by those most competent to judge to be a preventable one. The Maoris who lived 111 New Zealand 70 years ago had perfect teeth, yet now their children, who grow up under our civilisation. have teeth which decay like those of their pakeha brethren. Yet the Maoris of to-day drink the same water and breathe the same atmosphere as did their forefathers. They do not, however, eat the same food. Herein lies the whole explanation. Wherever we find people living on a simple primitive diet, which is of a coarse and fibrous nature, we find they have good teeth —Esquimaux, Indians, African natives, etc. On the other hand, where people are living under our civilised conditions, where the 1 food is refined, highly concentrated, and where large quantities of sugar are eaten, we find decay uni versa!. The more we chew our food and the coarser and more fibrous it is, the better for our teeth and jaws. Now we must talk about another factor which plays a great part in deciding whether teeth decay or remain immune. Nature has provided our teeth with a perfect mouth wash, known as saliva. In a really healthy person the teeth which arc bathed in saliva never decay. You will notice how uncommon it is to find decay in lower front teeth, and you will also notice how very common it is to find

decay in upper front teeth. The reason is that the lower teeth are more bathed in saliva than the upper ones. We know that the arnoint of saliva in the mouth may be increased or diminished by conditions. Our obje then, is to establish the condition which produces a good flo\ of saliva. You all know the tradition that the thought of some foods, such as, strawberries, makes the mouth water, and also that when you are hungry you g t the same effect. All tasty d shes, acid foods, fruit, and fresh foods, lik< celery, lettuce, raw vegetables, such as carrots, stimulate the flow of saliva, and all insipid dishes, milk puddings, cakes, biscuits, sweets, and sugar, r< tard the flow of saliva. You should then: ist, cultivate hunger by not eating between meals; 2nd, give up as much as possible eating sloppy foods, biscuits, sweets, and sugar; 3rd, and most important, finish all meals with a salivary stimulant fresh fruits (raw or stewed) or fresh vegetables. DIET RECOMMENDED. Breakfast.—Porridge with nnlk and salt, bacon, fish, etc., toast and hard bread. For children, bacon bread in place of meat is recommended. Dinner. —Soup, fish or meat and vegetables, the latter, if potatoes, are better left in their skins, stalks of cauliflower and fibrous parts of fresh vegetables will do good if thoroughly slewed. Puddings—Fruit (fresh or stewed) or fresh vegetables, viz., rad.sh, celery, carrots. Tea.—Bread, butter, jam, puddings; lemon drink, tea or coffee, and fruit. A soldier killed in action in France has left his little hard-earned savings towards teaching New Zealand how to Care for the Children's Teeth. Decayed teeth cause indigestion, malnutrition, and give rise to consumption, pneumonia, diphtheria, rheumatism, and many other diseases. Remember that disease germs multiply rapidly in a decayed tooth, and do not let your child swallow poison .with every mouthful of food. PREVENTION. 1. If possible, see your baby begins by being naturally fed. 2. Never encourage thumb-sucking, never use a dummy; both habits tend to narrow the jaws, and so make it

impossible for the child to have a well-arranged mouthful of teeth. 3. \\ hen the child is older, give him three good wholesome meals a day, with no food at any other time. Never give a child his< uits, lollies, or chocolates. 4. Avoid much soft sweet food; give ( rusts, oat c.ike, etc., that will ensun thorough mastication, and, if possible, finish each meal with a small portion of either raw or cooked fruit. KEEP THE TEETH CLEAN Clean the teeth thoroughly ; brush the teeth up and down, and over all surfaces, as well as across. Wash the mouth well at the same time. Always clean the teeth before going to bed. DECAYED TEETH. Must be treated at once. Get the teeth inspected by a dentist once or twice a year. Always get the icu’u treated at the first sign of decay. Never wait for treatment till a tooth aches. Further advice and information given by writing to the Executor, E. G. McGoverne Estate, Grevtown.