The Savannah morning news., 1904-11-29

dental supply house in the country
| arrived at these figures after extensive
| researches and calculations, and his
estimate is verified by other men in a
position to know
Teeth Use Up $4,000, 900 "A Year.
Two million dollars taken out of it's
stock Of gold is the price that the coun-
try pays annually for having its teeth
cared for in an up-to-date manner.
With the increase Of filings per capita
throughout the country which modern
dental methods has brought about, this
loss to the gold wealth of the country
is apt to assume proportions of i'm
portance within the next few years.
Ten years ago 1t is estimated that
only rs per cent. OF the people of this
country ever went to dentist except
to have a tooth pulled. Five years
ago the percentage was 80 1-3. Now,
II is declared so per cent. of the popu-
lation pay visits to the dentists chair
for some other reason than that of hav-
ing an aching tooth extracted. This
increase in the number OF dental pa
tients In the country has resulted in a
consequent increase in the amount of
gold used for this purpose. Practically
all of the so per cent. who are number
ed as the dentists patrons have some
gold in their teeth Thus, ten years
worth Of gold put in the mouths of the
citizens as against the $20O0,00 of to-
day.
Using the rate Of increase each year
for the last ten years as a basis, the
average yearly, consumption of the
precious metal in this manner has been
about $1,500,000 a year. This would
make about $15.0OO.OO0 worth of gold,
which has been put into teeth since 1894.
For this amount could be built three
of the best battleships in the world;
the Presidents salary could be paid
for thirty years; every voter who goes
TO the polls this year could be paid
dollar for his trouble and still leave
million for good measure.
Graveyards Hide 5S.OOOO.oO.
Deaths of course have cut the num-
Der of people who have had gold fill
ings nut I'm their teeth in these years
considerably. Five million dollars
worth Of gold, II is estimated, has been
buried in the Rraveyards OF this coun-
try In the period covered by these fig
ures. II a total could be derived at,
reckoning from the time when gold
first WAS used in filings, IL is certain
that the amount of gold lying unused
and dead in graves would be near to
$25, 600 900.
Subtracting the s5.OOO.OOO taken off
Ailt edIlI lIOHl LHt lOLdl OF
used In the last decade. IL Will be seen
that there must be at least SO. 100000
worth Of gold perambulating about the
country In the mouths OF the citizens
Ten million dollars in the most con-
venient form In the world. in the pos
session of the people; $40 000,0 walk
ing. sleeping, and eating with them
and vet not a cent OF II that can be
spent, not a cent of II that may be
E.. h.. 20
ual or the country at large.
The use OF gold in filings is the only
way in which the precious metal is
used By which its value is lost or de-
preciated. In the manufacturing or
repairing OF jewelry. plate. or any ar
ticle where gold is used as a solder its
value Ia not lost nor is the supply Of
gold in reality diminished. for the ar
ticle into which the gold is put in
creascs proportionately In value so the
wealth OF the country In gold remains
the same. But when a particle of II
is used TO Ill a hole in a tooth. make
a crown or bridge, and IN soldered SOL
idly into the mouth Il is lost irrevoca-
bly,.
A man. woman, or child In not worth
"A cent more, dead or alive, for a mouth
ful OF beautiful gold work. No Judge
or jury was ever known 10 return u
higher verdict for damages for a man
killed IN an accident because he had
$50 or 800 worth Of gold IN his mouth.
No one ever pays taxes on such per-
sOnal wealth na he may have diatrib-
uted among his mOlara. By the same
token the person Of the gold filled mas
ticaiorH has no right 20 feel above the
poor ones, who ~ through life with
only the plain, uiftdorned teeth which
nature gave them ~ the beginning.