Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 January 1905 — CARE OF THE TEETH. [ARTICLE]

CARE OF THE TEETH.

A Few Simple Remedies for Keeping Them in Good Condition. "A pearl in the mouth is worth two on the neck,” is an up-to-date adage which women would do well to ponder over. A woman of many charms will often fail of impression if her teeth are not delicately clean and whole. There are many factors which go to- ’ determine the soundness of one’s teeth, but none more potent than that of use. Good vigorous action is necessary in order that a supply of blood may be called to the teeth to nourish them. Give a muscle no exercise and the' veriest novice knows it will get soft. Give the teeth no frork and they become chalky and an easy prey to decay. Too much cooking of food and the use of soft prepared dishes have had much to do with get tin g people out of the habit of chewing. Those who live on coarse foods requiring thorough mastication have the perfect teeth of animals, white and hard and even. The blood supply is perfect on account of the stimulation given by thorough exercise of the jaws. The higher the civilization, the worse the teeth. 16 For not only" do people eat food which is too greatly refined to require ehewing, or soft and mushy from over-preparation, but they also eat sweets and condiments, and worse of aTT, perhaps, they overeat ‘‘The use of sugar,” said a dentist whose reputation is world wide, “is bad in two ways. It not only pro- ] motes fermentation in the mouth, but it creates a false taste, which will I have to be satisfied with other things equally detrimental and unneeded. And they who eat more food than necessary never can have a naturally cleansed mouth, for the saliva is provided to dissolve . perfectly only the food the body needs. “For the many who do not or cannot regulate their habits so that their teeth are kept naturally in good condition, there are many simple helps which do much to counteract any bad tendencies. Cleanse them thoroughly with a plain preparation of chalk and orris root, using tepid water and a stiff brush. This should be done after every meal. At least once a day examine them thoroughly with the aid of a mirror to make sure that they are properly freed from all food particles. When you are having denistry done, be sure to see that a space is left between the teeth sufficient to allow you to pass dental floss (common sewing silk will do) back and forth to dislodge any food that may get in. A good dentist should see. to this, and also that there are no jagged edges to break and cut the silk and prevent its free movement. But the mouths of nine out of every ten people who have had extensive work done show an opposite condition of affairs. J '“- “The necessity for clean teeth at night should be especially borne in mind, This will prevent the growth and development of m’ero-organisms in the mouth. These are generated most rapidly during sleep, while the person is quiescent. They cause putrefaction and decay of the teeth. “When teeth require filling they are often acutely sensitive on account of high acidity of the saliva, and very great paifi results from any work done on them. This may be largely obviated by the use of an alkaline wash in the mouth for two or three weeks prior to a visit to the dentist. A tiny pinch of common baking soda, bought at a druggist’s, to insure purity, is dissolved in a quarter of a glaSs of water and used to rinse the mouth thoroughly night and morning.” —New York Tribune.