The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-01-29
From the Hearth and Home. I
Children's Teeth.
BY 4 DENTIST OF FORTY YEARS PRACTIC

BY 4 DENTIST OF FORTY YEARS PRACTICE.
MEssRs. EDIToRs Having read an arti-
Gle in Hearth and Home, from the note
book of an eminent physician. in which he
advances valuable ideas with reference to
the proper treatment of childron's teeth
when decaycd. | only regret that, with his
ability, he did not also dwell upon the best
means Of preventing their decay for it is
an old saying that an ounce of prevention
is better thar pound Of cure. In order
to form good teeth, the proper materials
must be used to make them of: otherwise
they will be defective in their structure,
and liable to early decay.
The materials of which good teeth are
formed are as follows:
Phosphate of lime, with traces of
fuoride of calcium, 81 70
Carbonate Of lime, 3 36
Soluble salts, SO
Cartilage, 81 81
Fat, 0 40
The enamel or external covering of the
teeth has still larger proportion of the
phosphate and carbonate OF lime. These
different constituents are furnished us in
the food designed for our use. Other con-
stituents are also thus provided, of which
the soft tissues are formed. Although
there are traces Of the mineral element in
other articles of diet, yet the largest sup
plies are found in the cereals, in the follow
ing proportions
In 800 Tbs. of whole grain (wheat)
there is Muscle material, IS TBS
Bone and teeth materials, s. :.
Fat principle, 10 "
800 lis. of fine flour contain mus
Gle material, IS "
Bone and teeth material, 80 ss
Fat principle, 10 &c
Thus we see that the Creator has not emily
provided the proper materials for building
up the human system with all its parts, but
he has also given us fixed standard of
proportions for each material to be used
which we should recognize as correct; but
instead of doing so, we change the proper
lions of the mineral element (which is de-
posted in the outer portion of the grain
10y boiling out nearly two-thirds of it from
every barrel of flour, and discarding it
from the staff of life, simply because it is
the fashion to have our bread made of the
finest tlolr, that i: may be white instead of
dark
Now, it is estimated that healthy child
consumes half barrel of -four in a year
and if this he fine, white -four, the child is
denied twenty pounds year of that portion
of the grain which contains the proper
materials for bones and teeth. This def
cheney of the mineral element in the food
causes the teeth to be comparatively soft
and chalky in their structure and the re-
suit is, in this country, where fine flour is
principally used for bread, there is not one
in twenty without more or less decayed
teeth before they have passed the merning
Of life. On the other hand those nations
who do not change the proportions of the
mineral constituents in their food, do not
lose their teeth from decay. This fact is
well established by various writers upon
the physical history Of man, in different
parts of the world, and is recognized
principle of physiology and yet as ma
ton, we are regardless of the consequences,
and sacrifice many millions of teeth annu-
ally. This national calamity can be pre-
vented to great extent by simply popu-
larizing change of fashion. Let tho bread
of this nation be made from unbolted flour.
Let us cease to change the fixed standard
of proportions in the constituents from
which the teeth are made, and then we may
expect these organs to be well formed, and
to last as long as the other parts of the sys-
tenn. If this love of fashion has too strens
hold upon the public mind to do this, let
parents who regard the welfare of their
children ponder well this subject, and de
eide which is better for their little ones
fine -four or fine teeth. PLAINFIELD.