The evening times., 1896-01-16
DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN,
No Necessity for Having Defective or
Artificial Teeth

No Necessity for Having Defective or
Artificial Teeth.
Coming generations Ire to profit by
modern enlightenment on the subject Of
dentistry. IL is now an acknowledged
fact that the beauty and strength of the
permanent set of teeth are wholly de-
pendent upon the care taken OF those
that prCCrde them. II this care is insisted
upon future comfort and beauty are absu-
lutely insured. one of the leading dentists
of the country, who has been practicing
thirty-two years, affirms that rot one
patient whose teeth lie has had charge
of all that time VIII ever require artificial
masticatorS. In fact, they are only a
device for individuals whose teeth were
neglected in childhood and youth.
Trouble with human teeth begins at the
early age OF five months, and in many cases
never ceases until they have all come and
gone The cutting of baby's teeth is
undoubtedly the most critical event OF its
infancy, and anxious parents often call in
the family physician to see if lancing
the gums will not facilitate nature and
afford relief to the suffering little one.
But this is an operation that should seldom
be resorted TO.
When it is absolutely necessary, the
greatest care should be taken that the
tooth is far enough advanced to silly push
its way through the opening made before
the gum heals over tho cut: Otherwise it
will bc much harder for the tooth to pene
trate the ciCatrix formed than the gum in
its original condition, In every case the
lancet must penetrate deep enough to strike
the tooth, or IL will inevitably heal over
too soon, and only increase the difficulty
and distress of the little one.
Just as soon a S a child has finished teeth
ing the services of good dentist should be
called in, and he should be consulted there
after a often as once in six months. Molars
being frequently imperfectly formed, begin
to decay at once, and should be filled be-
fore they are in a condition to render the
work painful. In this way the child is saved
much suffering and the teeth are retained
in the mouth until it is time for them to
be removed to give place for the permanent
set, the Importance of which cannot be over
estimated. A child should never sit in the
dentists chair until fatigued and from n
half hour to an hour is the longest that
young person should be allowed to be oper-
ated upon.
When a child reaches its sixth year
change takes pla ce in the back of the mouth.
The Jaws have grown sufficiently to
room for another tooth on each side, back
of the temporary set. These are the first
of sixth year molars of the permanent set.
Here, again. one sees the Importance of the
dentists supervision.
Parents often make n great mistake in
regard 10 these teeth, considering them
temporary, as they often come before
any of the first set have been taken out.
Consequently they are utterly neglected,
yet being constructed as 10 be subject
to early and rapid decay, should be care
fully examined as soon as they are through
the gums, and the slightest imperfection
Immediately attended to.
From the sixth to the seventh year the
shedding of temporary teeth begins. The
second teeth depend almost entirely upon
the time at which the temporary teeth are
removed from the mouth. Take care of
the temporary teeth, and the permanent
teeth viii take care of themselves, or rather
nature will take care OF them. The tenn
porary set must be kept in the mouth long
enough to keep the jaws enlarged and
in good condition for the second teeth,
but must be removed before they in any
way obstruct their progress.
As soon a child cuts its first teeth,
the cleansing process should begin by
rubbing them with bit of linen, and
as soon as it is old en- ough to allow brush
in the mouth, it should be used at least
twice day.
This practice should be kept up through
life very narrow brush should be used
so that an UP aud down or rotary motion
may be readily produced Brushing the
teeth across is productive of irritation and
absorption of the gums. Always after eat
ing toothpick-quill preferrcd-should
be used and silk floss passed between
the teeth.
The care OF childrep's teeth is a fine
field for women, statistics showing That
a hundred or more graduates in the United
States are at present engaged in this oc-
cupation. Their superior gentleness and
patience makes them well adapted for treat
ing children and as practitioners they are
often preferred by men on account of their
delicacy of touch.
Women have been long excluded from
learning dentistry by the narrow minded
policy of colleges. But more and more the
way is being opened to them. Like other
occupations it entails its penalties, as 1t
requires much physica! exeriiun, continuous
standing, great mental strain, and many
UNPLEASANT details. But If n woman is
fitted by temperament, inclination and
physical strength for the work, il has many
rompensatious and is one Of the most
lucrative professions that she eau adopt.