Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-12-23

ca, - ~ - : 49,
Tod that paor - uovo opu1lfcn
auoa& &mcr = - l1<nn With ~ 6{D6t
peSSl<. Wkether Ills II du6 q 1o&x
1Geo15cn - not, u< viii noe koeo -
cu~s though il y qoioe eessi1a tit
pocr teetA uiIl - dnes poer dlgcst;on.
physioloRi Ricei laet tit food - D. pro-
pefiy dire6se1s 001 ~ ns6sticnted--
esosnd nne ty the tssth a11 mised
nth saliva betcse it pelses M ths
nt6SsSrk 4 sseeee1 4&rs1ff
Of teeth. prevent the proper PERFORM
arce If this, the very first act In tho
complicated process Of digestion. The
DENTS. can supply 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 artificial ones. No matter how
they may be made. artificial teeth are
always q scarce of discomfort. Hence
the importance of great care to pre-
serve every tooth possible. A natural
tooth should lie kept useful by filling
30 long as it can be operated upon
Filling is too important an operation
to be trusted to any but the best oper-
ators. 1t sometimes happens. as la
the writer's case. that gold and other
metals cannot be tolerated; 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 filing of prepared
gut,apercha, which has remained hrm
from three to six years. Some dentists
introduce n non-conducting layer OF
guitapercha under the gold filling. The
proper care of the teeth will do much
to preserve them. and it is great mis-.
take to neglect the teeth, rs many do.
with tie idea that when they are gone
they can afford TO buy a new set.
We repeat with emphasis what was
said above, that the very hest artificial
teeth are poor substitute for even
poor natural teeth. The teeth of chill
dren, after they get their second sst,
should he carefully looked after, and
in old and young, the first signs of de-
cay should he arrested by the care Of
skilled dentist. Insist upon proper care
of the teeth; few persons are SO care
less as not to brush them once day
in the morning usually-but it is quite
as important to brush them at night
also; and. lssides this. every rTrtielee ~
food should be- carefeiiv removed frou
between the teeth. Never use pin or
a metallic toothIick, but one Of wood
ar quill, ard small enough to go te.
tween the closest teeth.
Food lei, Lttwecn tie teeth at night
serments a, i causes decay. Use only
a moderately hard brush aud water as
4 general thing. The tooth powders
and washes are for the most part worss
than usc!.>s-some being positively To.
furious; the teeth should never get
int" such condition as TO need harsh
securing with powdered pumice. or
powdered charcoal; when this is tho
case, the cleaning should he done by .
dentist, and the teeth kept clean af.
ter walds ~ the frequent use of the
brush. Many peasons think that, un-
less they nss n powder Of some kind.
they are not 90 ng their duty; le: such use
powdered orris root, or fire toilet soap.
IF the gums are in a spongy. soft con-
ditiun. use a few drops of tincture OF
myrrh ia the water. or make cold in
fusion of white oak bark to use as =
wash; the strength is not Important.
To sum up-use the tooth brush morn
ing and night-all the better il after
each meal; use a wood or quill tooth
pick thoroughly, especially before going
TO bed; avoid all .'boughten" and muci,
advertised tooth powders-and, espe-
cially, at the first signs of decay con-
suit competent dentist, aud hold on
to every natural tooth as long as it can
perform service.