Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-09-02
Dental Facts.
(COnlunicated.l

This subject entitled dental Facts, T"
it is to be hoped will apI cal TO the
people as necessary factor for the pre-,
servation of their teeth as we'll as the
protection of their fnadcial welfare.
The teeth without doubt are more
neglected as regards their cleanliness
aud prescription than any other part
Of the human anatomy. If it were pos
sible to have perfect cleanliness of the
teeth, decay would be practically un-
known. PEI feet cleanliness, however,
is utterly impossible, but when the
other conditions OF the teeth are nor
NAL, decay is lessened in proportion as
care is observed and cleanliness OBJ
tanned. Cleanliness of the mouth and
sound teeth are necessary adjuncts for
the proper mastication, digestion and
assimilation of the food, so necessary
for the maintenance OF the health of
the body. A majority of the people
will not think of the preservation of
their teeth until they are visited with
toothache or some annoyance peculiar
to the teeth. They then appeal to a
dentist for relief which is probably
procured by the treating and filling of
the offending member or the extraction
IF 4I0 ~ do, &icfi
press upon you that it is necessary to
have your teeth perfectly cleansed by
removing ali calculus (tartar) and
strains adhering to them. and then in
struct you in the proper use OF the
toothbrush and the prescribing of an
effective and hairless denti6rice (tooth-
powder?) It is to be regretted that in
many instances you are not so instsuct-
ed And why not? Is it because the
dentist would prefer to have your
teeth continue to thrive in such an i'm
pure condition, thereby warranting
him chance for more work in the
near future? Such a dentist is not
caring for gour teeth for the good Of
your health and future preservation
of your teeth. but for the compensa
Immediately attendant with the opera
tfon and the possible chance of more
work in the immediate future, thereby
netting him more favorable income.
Who then is the blame for the future
destruction of your teeth? 1t is the
dentist, who, after seeing the condition
of your teeth did not advise you as to
their cleanliness.
We will now consider the eruption
of the teeth, beginning with the baby
or deciduous teeth. They are twenty
in number, ten in each jaw. The two
lower front teeth or central incisOrs
appeyr first and about the time the
child is six months old, but sometimes
later. The upper front teeth or Gen.
trail incisors soon follow the lower,
then two more front teeth, lateral in
cisors (on either side). in each jaw, SC
that when the child is ten months old
eight teeth have cut through the gums
and made their appearance. The first
four baby molars, double teeth, two in
each jaw, appear from the twelf to the
sixteenth month. The cuspids, eye or
stomach teeth, four in number appear
from the fifteenth to the twentieth
month, and the four second baby
molars, double teeth, appear during
the third year. The lower teeth of
each class usually appear before the
upper. The baby or deciduous teeth
should be frequently examined by a
competent dentist and advice received
as to the proper method Of cleansing
them; and at the first indication OF
decay should be filed, which is of little
consequence financially, and practical
ly or wholly painless, but Of inestim-
able value for the preservation of the
teeth as we'll as for rrtaining them un-
til the time OF the arrival of the second
or permanent teeth, thereby preventing
any opportunity for irregularity, which
is not only unsightly but condition
in, which proper cleanliness cannot be
obtained and consequently the decay
and possible loss ofssome OF the perma-
nent teeth, also the inability to prop
erly masticate the food and prepare il
for the stomach. It Is not always pos
sible to correct an irregularity so as to
conform with the laws of nature, hence
the abvisability OF the proper care Of
the temporary set, by frequent visits
| to a competent dentist and following
! his instructions. The first permanent
!. molars or double teeth appear at or