Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-05-16
Take Care Of your Teeth.


Much has been said and written up on the proven
ton Of dental carries and the pr eservation of the
dental organs. Volumes upon volumes have been
written upon this subject, but comparatively very
little that has been SAID written has found its way
TO the hands OF the masses, to the perUsal of the
public mind. Il has been mostly for the reading
and investigation Of those of the dental profession,
which is all well enough in its place. but too little
has been said or written to inform the public upon
this all important subject.
Is it important that the people should be instruct.
ed as to the best means Of avoiding disease Then
it is also fully as important that they should know
how to avoid carries of the teeth.
Much, very much, frequently depends upon very
small things. \ diseased state Of the dental organs
the result very frequently of the want of proper
of the teeth has resulted in the establishment
Of inCurable affections and ultimate dissolution.
Let this suffice as an introduction to the subject
under consideration trusting at the same time that
have SAID enough to create an impression, that it
Is one Of no meagre Importance.
Take care Of your teeth, gentle reader, for much
more depends upon their proper care than perhaps
you are aware of But yop ask hole2 That is the
very Information l propose to impart. I only hope
you may receive 1t and profit thereby. Now, when
say to yoU keep your teeth clean, you ready to
say, l always knew that was important. If you
have observ cd its Importance your teeth are in much
better condition to-day than they would have been
had you n elected to cleanse them.
But as Il multiplicity OF opinions exists as to the
best method of cleansing the teeth, you will permit
me to give you what conceive to be the best with
some OF the reasons for arriving at such conclusions
A great variety of causes Of dental carries might
be referred to, but shall only direct attention to
what consider to be the greatest which is acid
produced by the accumulation Of food between the
teeth and all those points favorable thereto, where
by the natural warmth Of the mouth, only a few
hours is necessary to the formation by fermentation
- L.. 1 :
ces the destruction Of the teeth.
In confirmation Of the above immerse tooth in
acid twentyfour hours and it will be perfectly
tralized. From these considerations any dentrifce
for cleansing, purifying and preserving the teeth,
should contain alkaline substance that any acid thus
formed about the teeth might be neutralized, and
thus rendered powerless of harm to the teeth.
For my part | cannot conceive of better dentri-
fee for general use than soap.
And il the premises thus laid down be correct
then all are left without excuse. Any nice, clean
soap will do though good CASTLE is better.
Thompson's Tootl sap, now in use, is the best
dentrifce offered to the public in my Judgment
All persons have, as is we'll known, their peculiar
views upon all subjects G. E. Latimer, of New
York. said recently upon this subject in paper read
before the society of Dental Surgeons of that city
If restricted to the of one article should pre-
fer common white chalk and l most heartily wish
that every one and especially those belonging to
the poorer CIdS>ee, COulu DC 10 invest ten
cents year in this article for dentrifce; what
happy change would be wrought in one short year
if this could be used thoroughly"
The teeth should be cCansed two or three times 8
day, just after each meal never less than once day
should good dentriicc be used and if used but
once day. just before retiring to rest at night would
be the most appropriate time
Doubtless many persons are OF the impression
that II they neglect take proper of their teeth
all they have TO do Is to go to the dentist whenever
cares occurs, have them ezcavated and filed and
all will be well. Not altogether correct are such
conclusions The same causes that produced disease
once Will do so again, If not obviated True the
dentist may be able, IN great degree to render those
points affected by carries, particularly the preriaL
surfaces OF the teeth less susceptible of accumula-
tons but II the dentist expects his dental opera
lions TO give satisfaction he will impress upon his
patrons the Importance Of the proper care of their
teeth
For ii once they become affected whether they
| are eXcsvated and filed or not there is loss Of
vital action IN proportion the extent of the dis
ease. Consequently there is less living or vital
! power in the organ to resist decay
! Such beng the fact argument is necessary to
establish the importance of early u carries
of the teeth before the vitality is greatly injured by
! the progress of disease.
| Also that greater is necessary to. preserve
them even after they have been well excavated aud
| filled, than perhaps would have been required to
| prevent carries altogether.
| More truth than fiction is in the trte saying: -
An ounce of preventive is worth pound of
! cure"
| By way of conclusion, if you appreciate good
! health and good teeth, have them examined once
every six months by competent dentist
| For, as has already been stated in the ntroduc.
ton to this article, many of the diseases of the hu.
man organization may be traced directly or indirect.