The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-06-22
The Care of the Teeth.

The farmer man was dead
The Care of the Teeth.
The mouth-the organ of speech and
not only the most express
sive and characteristic, but is also the most
important of all the features. Dentistry
has been defined as medical science ap-
piled to the prevention, modification, or re-
moval of the causes and effects of disease
in the dental organs" and the practice de-
mands scientific mechanism and arts tic
culture-skill in construction and Judgment
in application-so that the thoroughly quail
lied dentist is to some extent physician,
surgeon, artist and mechanic.
The development of the teeth is one of
the most curious and interesting of the pro-
cesses of the growth in the body. Two sets
of teeth are developed in the human mouth,
the first known as deciduous or temporary;
commonly called baby teeth,) the second,
the permanent. The temporary-twenty
in number-consist of two central and two
lateral incisors. two CANNES or eye teeth,
and four molars, or double teeth, in each
jaw. There is no absolute rule for the time
or order of their appearance; some child
rem being born with teeth while in others
their eruption is delayed much beyond the
average period. An erroneous idea pre-
walls with many people that the teeth, like
the hair and the nails, continue to grow
after they make their appearance through
the gums. Their crowns are completed, as
to size and form before their eruption,
though they gradually become denser and
harder. The deciduous, or temporary
teeth, are smaller than the permanent teeth.
1t is very common error that because they
are temporary, they need no attention, or
if any anxiety is felt about them it is that
they be not allowed to remain too long in
the mouth for fear they may interfere with
the eruption of the permanent set. This is
a great mistake, for the regularity of the
permanent teeth depends very largely upon
the retention of the temporary set until the
permanent are ready TO make their appear
ance. The teeth of children should have
constant attention from the time of their
first appearance; the general health of the
child viii be greatly promoted by keeping
the teeth in such condition that mastication
can be performed without pain; otherwise
the child will soon learn to void that which
is painful, and by swallowing its food with
out proper mastication, will soon suffer the
evils of Indigestion.
In infancy the mother should make it a
part of the daily care of the child to secure
the habitual cleanliness of it's teeth. Be
coming thus accustomed to it, when the
child is old enough to use the brush it will
not feel comfortable after meal until the
teeth have been thoroughly cleaned. When
the temporary teeth decay or where erup-
ton of the second takes place before the
roots of the temporary teeth have been alb
sorbed, the child should be taken to an in
telligent dentist who is capable of deciding
in regard to the best treatment to be
adopted. If decay commences, the same
care should be taken TO prevent its extern
sion as would be given the permanent set
The premature loss of the temporary teeth,
is the cause of much of the irreguarity of
the permanent teeth. A good rule is to
have dentist examine the mouth after the
child is two and half years old, at least
twice year, and oftener If necessary.
The first permanent teeth make their ap-
pearance about the sixth year. four in mum
Der, one on each side in the upper and lower
Jaw, called the six-year molars. These are
often mistaken for permanent teeth. and
if attacked by decay, as very frequently
occurs, no attention is paid to them because
it is thought they will soon have to give
place to, the temporary, and before the
error is discovered, it may be too late TO
save the teeth. Although as already stated,
the teeth are fully formed before they ap-
pear through the gums, the enamel has not
acquired the compactness and hardness
which afterwards characterize it. 1t does
not attain its maximum density for months
and sometimes for years; therefore decay
makes greater ravages during this period
than at any subsequent time. This fact
shows the importance of extra care and
prompt attention to any evidence of decay
during this period than at any subsequent
time This fact shows the Importance of
extra care and prompt attention to any evil
dence of decay during this period, for if
they can be preserved until the enamel has
GaI L.
less liable to decay and the chances of re-
tanning them through life are greatly in
creased. The Importance of proper atten-
ton to the cleanliness of the teeth cannot be
overestimated, yet few, even those. who
pride themselves upon the care which they
bestow upon these organs, give to them the
time and labor which their value would
Justify. 1t is wonderful that so many per-
sons fail to appreciate the Importance of
taking care of their teeth, until an exposed
nerve speaks with voice that will not be
silenced; and that their chief thought
seems to be not how best to prevent further
mischief and retain what are left of their
dental organs, but how cheaply relief can
be secured, and as though there were no
gradations in skill or in materials used
making no account of the time required for
faithful service, they think only of the cost
and congratulate themselves when they
succeed III HuulilS Cutdp ueIllSI. IUlS Is
the worst possible economy; Judgment and
proficiency are the results of time and labor
and they should command remuneration
equivalent to their worth.
Decay is not the only enemy to the teeth
many persons lose their teeth by the de-
struction of the means of their support =
the absorption of the gums and sockets
caused by the accumulation of tartar The
liability of loss from this cause, though not
absolutely confined to those whose teeth
are neglected, is yet danger which always
specially threatens those who pay too little
attention to the hygiene of the teeth
| The teeth should be brushed the first
thing In the morning and before retiring.
The latter is really the most important, be.
cause 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 the best oppor-
tunity to exert an unwholesome influence
A good tooth powder should be used once
daily, preferably at bedtime. Do not neg
lect needed work. Delays are dangerous,
and in these matters especially so. Go al
once when you think your teeth require at
tention. The sooner the better.
Summer Desserts