Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-17
The Teeth and their Care.

The teeth. 1t must be remembered
are most important aids to digestion
for unless the food is well masticated
before being swallowed. it will not be
properly digested, and the genera
health as well as the complexion will
suffer-
The human teeth are made up Oh
quite four distinct substances, viz: the
enamel. which covers the whole OF thai
part OF the teeth which appears above
the gums; then comes the dentine OF
second layer. which forms the sub
stance of the tooth. and the part that
IS inside the gums. this layer is very
often called the ivory Of the teeth.
This again is covered over with fine
hard glaze. that possesses great power
of resisting all kinds of acids. such as
vinegar or lemon juice.
The fourth substance is situated In
the interior of the teeth. beneath the
dentine, in cavity. and is called the
pulp. This pulp is very soft in con-
sistency. is extremely vascular. and
very sensitive, on account Of the nerve s
which run through it, right down ia
the center of the roots.
The condition of the teeth, like that
of the complexion. very much depends
upon the nature of the food that is
eaten. Hot drinks or hot food of any
Kind are very bad for them especially
when hot food is alternated with icy
cold drinks.
Ii is for this reason that the teeth
OF civilized nations are, as rule, not
nearly so good as those of the uncivil-
lied.
AS all kinds of strong acids are SO
very bad for the teeth, they must not
be resorted to as means of removing
any stains or discolorations.
Tooth powders should be either aka
line or astringent-the latter when the
gums are soft and out of order: aka
lines neutraliZe the acidity caused by
the decomposition of the food which
must as we eat get lodged between the
teeth.
How extremely necessary it is 70
wash the teeth after each meal may be
We'll understood When Il is realized
how very quickly food. when left be-
tween the teeth. does ferment 1t is
this fermentation which makes the
teeth decay
The teeth should not he brushed
straight along: put the brush up and
down. also at the back. When this is
carefully done. any particle of food
that may have collected will have very
little chance of remaining.
There are various kinds of tooth pow
ders. and one which cleanses the teeth
splendidly and at the same time acts
as an antispetic. is charcoal; this does
not scratch the enamel at ALL
For every day use, camphorated
chalk is one of the simplest and at the
same time the most satisfactory of all
the tooth powders that are in use
To benefit the gums when they show
signs of receding from the teeth at all.
it is best to use one made up of half a
teaspoonful of tannin. 6 drachms of
tincture of myrrh. ounces of horse
radish and , drachms of tincture Of
tou.
There is one other thing that may be
used for the removal of tartar, as well
as the charcoal just mentioned above
and that is very finely powdered pre-
pared pumice stone. but this must be
used only very occasionally. and only
the smallest quantity will be required.
1t must be applied with piece of soft
linen rag, dipped in the powdered pun
ice stone. and then rubbed gently along
the teeth afterward: they must be
brushed in the ordinary way, but in
stead of having plain water it will be
as well to use a very weak solution of
tincture of myrrh.
Soap. which so many people are fond
of s1anfifrica l,a lhlV hp-
cause it is always at hand. is not at all
a good thing: it cleanses the teeth. GER
tainly. but it is apt to make them yell
low when used for any length of time.
Ladies' Home.