Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1881-10-27
4arm aaS 6cussbcIS.
The Teeth.
ArEw HINTS As TO rntIR PRESERVATION.

A FEw HINTS ~ TO THrIR PRESERVATION.
The deposit called tartar which collects
more or less about the teeth 81 all persons
differs very much in appearance, quality and
character. In different individuals il i
black. brown, green, yellow or nearly white.
Its presence is more or less hurtful. accord
ing TO It's character. and quantity. In some
cases lis influence j. exceedingly Pernlc.ou'.
causing the gums TO become swollen, infam-
ed and spongy suppuration occurring about
their margins, followed by their recession
from the necks Of the teeth and absorption
or waste Of the sockets. The gums become
so sensitive that the use Of a toothbrush IA
exceedingly painful, and on this account
there is no effort made to Keep the mouth
clean. The tartar accumulaies rapidly. ana
the result Is the destruction more or les,
speedily Of the al,eolar process and the
loosening Of the teeth unit! they drop out.
These, however. are not the only results.
The breath becomes fetid the secrctons Of
the mouth are vitiated indigestion, loss Of
appetite, affections Of the eyes, pans in the
ears, headache, neuralgia and general de-
engagements Of the health follow. That de
Tangement Of the digestive functions and
consequent impairment Of the whole econo-
my NAV result. from a diseased condition Of
the mouth, is too well established 10 require
an argument The presence of dccayed
teeth and roots, liberated or >uppurating
gums accumulations Of tartar. etc. must
nece ssarily yitiate the secretions Of the
mouth and cause irritation more OF les, Sc
we're Of the mucous membranes Of the stoui-
ach. The civilizations from the mouth So
diseased may. and no doubt often DO. pro-
duce an injurious effect upon the bronchial
tubes and lungs, and may even be the e1-
citing cause Of consumption. These icing
facts. il is wonderful that SO many otherwise
intelligent people neglect the teeth Of
their children. allowing them 10 grow up
without having acquired the habit Of keep
ing the mouth scrupulouslv clean paving
no attention to the condition Of the teeth
until an exposed nerve speaks with 4 voice
that will not be silenoed, announcing the
mischief which has been allowed to proceed
unchecked. Still more wonderful j. il. tina,
SO many fail TO appreciate the Importance Of
taking care of their own teeth. until decay
diseased gums, and consequent suffering iul-
pei them. There j. i grea, difference in
the liability Of the teeth Of different midi
yiduals 10 decay some being so susceptible
10 the action Of corrosive agents tina, the,
begin to decay Is soon a. they emerge from
the gums while those Of others remain
without giving evidence Of injury though
exposed 10 the SANE influence Il must not
be forgotten tina, decay is not the only enc
my Of the teeth; many persons lose their
teeth by the destruction Of the means Of
their support-the absorption Of the guns
and sockets caused by the presence Of tar
tar. This liability. though not absolutely
confined TO teeth which are neglected. is vet
danger which always specially threatens
those who pay too little attention to their
cleanliness, and might, in majority Of in
stances, be prevented b, intelligent care
recession Of the gums or absorption Of the
sockets rarely occurs in mouths that are
habitually kept pure. If then We add to
the probable preservation and usefulness Of
the teeth for speech and mastication till ad
ysnced life, the favorable impression made
upon the general health by the ability thor
oughly TO masticate the food, the comfort
of e pure breath and wholesome saliva. and
the agreeable effects produced upon others
by the exhibition Of clean and healthy
mouth, surely We have enumerated reasons
enough to induce all to pay that attention to
them Upon which their appearance, preser-
walton and usefulness depend.
While all the other portions of the body
are endowed with power TO repair injury and
replace lost tissue, the teeth do not possess
such power, and if decay destroys any por-
ton Of their structure, there is no POSSIBLE
iy Of its restoration.
To insure proper cleanliness, the teeth
ought to be brushed on rising in the morn
ing, after each meal, and before retiring
The last is really most important, because
while the tongue and muscles of the
mouth are at rest during Sleep foreign sub
stances or deposits upon the teeth have the
longest time and best opportunity to exert
an unwholesOme influence. good tooth
powder should be used at least once daily.
preferable in the morning and detergent
wash or soap at bedtime. A tooth prick
made from quill, should be used after eat
ing, and all particles Of food carefully picked
from between the teeth. The brush should
not be too stiff, for fear of injury to the
gums, and every accessible surface of the
teeth should be thoroughly cleansed, brush
ing the upper teeth downward and the lower
teeth upward, so as to encourage rather
than interfere with the growth of the gums.
well down about the necks of the teeth
With the observance of these hints and
visit every six months to a reliable dentist,
who can meet and combat the first evidence
q disease, there is no reason why the MAORI
ty Of persons may not preserve their teeth
until old age.-Ameriean Pulpit and Pec.