Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-27
CARE OF THE TEETH.
A Few Simple Remedies for Keeping
Them in Good Condition.

From the New York Tribune
"A pearl in the mouth is worth two on the
neck" is an up-tO-date adage which wo-
men would do well TO ponder over. wo-
man OF many charms will often fail of i'm
preston if her teeth are not delicately
clean and whole.
There are many factors which go to de-
termine the soundness of ones teeth, but
none more potent than that of use. Good
vigorous action is necessary in order that
a supply of blood may be called to the teeth
to nourish them. Give a muscle no eXer-
Use and the veriest novice knows it will
get soft Give the teeth work and they
become chalky and an easy prey to decay.
Too much cooking of food and the use of
soft prepared dishes have had much to do
with getting people out of the habit of
chewing. Those who live on coarse foods
requiring thorough mastcation have the
perfect teeth of animals. white and hard
and even. The blood supply Is perfect on
account of the stimulation given by thor
Ough exercise of the jaws.
The higher the civilization. the worse the
teeth. For not only do people eat food
which is too greatly refined to require
chewing. or soft and mushy from over
preparation, but they also eat sweets and
condiments, and worst of ALL perhaps, they
overeat
THE use OF sugar" said a dentist whose
reputation is world wide. rs bad in two
ways. II not only promotes fermentation
in the mouth, but il creates false taste
which will have to be satisfied with other
things equally detrimental and unneeded.
And they who eat more food than ieces-
sary never can have naturally cleansed
mouth. for the saliva is provided to dis
solve perfectly only the food the body
needs.
For the many who do not or cannot
regulate their habits so that their teeth
are kept naturally in good condition, there
are many simple helps which do much to
counterfeit any bad tendencies. Cleanse
them thoroughly with plain preparation
OF chalk and orris root. using tepid water
and a stin brush. This should be done
after every meal. AT least once day
examine them thoroughly with the aid of
mirror to make sure that they are prop
erly freed from all food particles When
you arc having dentistry done, be sure to
see that space is left between the teeth
sufficient to allow you to pass dental floss
common sewing silk will do) back and
forth to dislodge any food that may get
In. good dentist should see TO this and
also that there are no jagged edges to
break and cut the silk and prevent it's
free movement. But the mouths of nine
out of every ten people who have had
extensive work done show an opposite con-
dition of affairs
The necessity for clean teeth at night
should be especially borne in mind. This
VIII prevent the growth and development
OF mlcro-organisms in the mouth. These
are generated most rapidly during sleep,
while the person Is quiescent. They cause
putrefaction and decay of the teeth
When teeth require filling they are often
acutely sensitive on account of high acid
ity OF the saliva, and very great pain re-
suits from any work done on them This
may he largely obviated by the use of an
alkaline wash in the mouth for two or
three weeks prior to a visit to the dentist
bought at a druggists. to insure purity. is
dissolved In a quarter Of a glass of water
and used to rinse the mouth thoroughly
night and morning" --: 49,.