The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-09-01
A TALK .noyr ciE,LpsENs rEE;rH.

! By nr. Thomas J. s'n'Tc:t, OF Spnrtanhurc.
South Lnrolian. 4 Graduate in Dep;istry and
Medicine.
It is sad fact that in spite OF the
numberlcss dentists and doctors, tooth
ache is very largely on the increase.
Thousands oil teeth arc extracted annual
ly, which By timely care might have
been preserved. Not one man in ten has
perfect teeth; rot one woman III twenty
but suffers from the many bad effects
arising from this evil. Unfortunately the
strong white teeth Of our graldfathers
cannot be handed down to us as a good
ly heritage The strength and durabii-
ty OF each individuals teeth depend i'll a
Ia; &c measure OF the faithful, persistent
efforts OF the II theirs towards that end.
Feeling assured that no appeals made IN
behalf Of the little ones will be made IN
vain, ] wish Now in as simple manner
as possible to call the attention OF inter
estcd mothers to few facts concerning
their children's teeth. A small amount
of knowledge and @ vast amount OF per-
severance on the mothers part Will save
the little ones much suffering.
In the first place, I will speak Of the
time of formation. AS early as the sew
enth week Of fGtal life, the formation OF
the temporary teeth begins. The growth
is carried on through various stages, un-
til at birth the twenty dccidous or baby
teeth are all in an advanced condition,
and the germs OF twenty-five OF the per-
manent set are il state Of Development.
1t is therefore very necessary that ali ex-
pectant mothers live on such diet as will
| furnish a sufficient quantity Of tooth and
bone forming material. AS lime is one
principal element of tooth structure, 1t
is highly important that it be furnished
in abundance. Nature, always ready to
supply her children's needs, is very gen
erous in her supply of this element, 1t
appearing in milk, eggs, vegetables and
fruits, and more especially IN the various
grains. In the fine white -four, in sugar
and butter, which form the diet Of so
many delicate women, not one particle
of lime appears. Graham flour, oat
meal, cracked wheat and honey, abound
in tooth food. a mother should there
fore diet herself according to practical
common sense rule, and not according
to capricious appetite, remembering
always that the health and comfort OF
another helpless human being is depend
ent solely on her faithtulness in per-
forming natures simple requirements.
A diet of milk, eggs, fish, oysters, meat,
with Graham flour prepared n the many
delicious ways, should satisfy any moth
er, while such food will double her own
strength, and prove of incalculable bene-
fit to the unborn child. Lime water IS
very beneficial at such periods; as 1t
often relieves the indigestion and heart
burn from which so many suffer, at the
same time refurDishing the much needed
hme-salts directly to the system. It can
be easily and cheapiy made by putting a
teacup full of unsiacked lime in a half
gallon OF water, stir thoroughly, and
allow it to settle. When this second
water has become clear, pour it off into
bottles, and it is ready for use. A table
spoonful in a glass OF milk or water
cannot be detected by the taste, and 1t Is
very beneficial to prospective mothers.
Mothers should protect themselves from
all skin diseases, such as smallpox, scar
let fever and measles. During this
poriod they invariably render the teeth
of the child grooved or pitted, thus
making them more liable to decay. For
the same reason children should be pro-
tected from such diseases until after the
eruption of their teeth.
When about five months old the child
l. b 40 prOS
goes. There is no absolute rule as to
the time. Usually the lower teeth pre-
cede the upper of the same class, and
generally come in pairs. The order and
time of eruption may be seen from the
following table:
Two central incisors, No. l, between 3
and months.
Two lateral incisors, No. 2, between 7
and 10 months.
Two CANNES, No. 3, between y and
16 months.
First molars, No. 4, between IA and
20 months.
Second molars, No. 5, between 20 and
Sc months.
The child is in possession of all of its
temporary or baby teeth, twenty IN
number, by the time it is three years
old. I wish just here to impress upon
mothers the Importance of preserving
these baby teeth until the permanent
teeth appear. A child should never be
allowed to suffer with toothache. Such
suffering, in almost every instance, may
be directly traced to the ignorance or
neglect of the mother. In the first place,
strict cleanliness should be observed.
As soon as the little teeth appear they
should be washed dsily, by Wrapping q
soft rag around the finger, and rubbing
them very gently up and down. As soon
as practicable, use soft camel's hair
tooth brush. Immediately on the APP
pearance of any decay or spots, a dentist
Should be consulted and the child's teeth
should be placed in his care. Should
he be competent and faithful, not one Of
the baby teeth would be lost until they
fall out, whole and sound, according to
natures method, to make room fer the
larger permanent teeth. 1t is not
dentists whim nor mere theory that
many evils are the direct result OF pre-
maturely extracting child's teeth.
Without them a child cannot properly
masticate its food, and thus indigestion,
with its train of discomfting evils, IS the
result. If the nerve is killed, the alb.
sorption of the root is arrested, and in
tiammation and gumboils cause the con-
tinual annoyance to the child. Often
this dead tooth becomes an obstacle in
the way of a new tooth, causing it to
come out where it can best find room,
.h,,c c,,nil;nn 4he haalltr Of the child'S