The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-07-03
Care Of the Neutrality-suspicious..

1t is admitted that poor teeth are more
common among Americans than with any
other people. Whether this is due to poor
digestion or not, we will not here discuss
though it is quite certain that poor teeth
will produce poor digestion, and its conse-
quent ills. 1t is fixed physiological fact
that food, to be properly digested, must be
masticated-ground fine by the teeth and
mixed with saliva before it passes into the
stomach. Defective teeth, or the lack of
teeth, prevent the proper performance of
this, the very first act in the complicated
process of digestion. The dentist can sup
ply artificial teeth when the natural ones
are lacking, but very few persons seem to
be aware of what every honest dentist will
tell them, that very poor natural teeth are
better than the best possible artificial ones.
No matter how well they may be made,
artificial teeth are always source of dis
comfort. Hence the Importance of great
care to preserve every tooth possible. A
natural tooth should be kept useful by fill
ing SO long as it can be operated upon.
Filling is too important an operation to be
trusted to any but the best operators. 1t
sometimes happens, as in the writer's case,
that gold and other metals cannot be toler-
ated; the teeth being sensitive, and the
gold good conductor, a sensation of chill
and pain was felt when cold or hot liquids
came in contact with it. This difficulty
was remedied by using filling of prepared
guttapercha, which has remained firm from
three to six years. Some dentists introduce
a non conducting layer of guttapercha I'M
der the gold filling. The proper care of
the teeth will do much to preserve them,
and it is great mistake to neglect the
teeth, as many do, with the idea that when
they are gone, they can afford to buy new
set.
We repeat with emphasis what was said
above, that the very best artificial teeth are
poor substitute for even poor natural
teeth. The teeth of children, after they
get their second set, should be carefully
looked after, and in old and young, the
first signs of decay should be arrested by
the care of skilled dentist. Insist upon
proper care of the teeth; few persons are
SO careless as not to brush them once a
day-in the morning usually-but it is
quite as important to brush them at night
also; and besides this, every particle of
food should be carefully removed from be-
tween the teeth. Never use a pin, or a
metallic toothpick, but. one of wood or
quill, and small enough to 60 between the
closest teeth. Food left between the teeth
at night ferments and causes decay. Use
only moderately hard brush and water
as general thing. The tooth powders and
washes are for the most part worse than
| useless-some being positively injurious;
the teeth should never get into such a con-
dition as to need a harsh securing with
powdered pumice, or powdered charcoal;
when this is the case, the cleaning should
be done by dentist, and the teeth kept
clean afterwards by the frequent use of the
brush. Many persons think that, unless
they use a powder of some kind. they are
not doing their duty; let such use powered
orris root, or some fine toilet soap. If the
gums are in spongy, soft condition, use a
few drops of tincture of myrrh in the
water, or make cold infusion of white oak
bark to use as a wash; the strength is not
important. To sum up-use the tooth
brush morning and night-all the better if
after each meal; use a wood or quill tooth
pick thoroughly, especially before going to
bed; avoid all "boughten and much ad-
vertised tooth powders-and, especially, at
the first signs Of decay, consult a compe-
tent dentist, and hold on to every natural
tooth as long as it can perform service.