The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-03-09

minus OF parents especially mothers
ana teachers the importance of moutt
cleanliness, that they may inculcate
in children the virtue of hyglenic hab
its that will profit them through life.
The importance of keeping the teeth
clean cannot be too strongly Impressed
upon the mind of every Individual. and
that the toothbrush is a power fol
good and must not be sighted.
Where prophylactic care OF mouths
Lecomes a general fixed habit, as wash.
ing hands and face, there will in few
decades be but little need and demand
for much of the expensive type of den
tistry that is now practiced.
There will be much less of tooth ex-
traction for artificial dentures, and ex-
travagant filings, crowns and bridges
will be out of date and more health
full and natural state pertaining to
teeth and soft tissues adjacent will pre-
vail, and the tendency in the care OF
the teeth and gums will be onward
and upward to state of perfection.
Much thought is being given to the
important subject of oral hygiene, and
it is being rapidly forced and intro
duced into schools with fatterlng
promise of good effect.
The large majority OF children as a
whole, have defective teeth, mostly
from neglect, and after the age OF
twelve or fifteen years large per cent.
OF the human family in this country
Every probably in other countrles)
are afflicted more or less with gum
trouble, and 1t is mostly the result of
neglect, and want OF right use OF the
toothbrush or other suitable means for
keeping the teeth in clearly state.
If the right sort of toothbrush is
judiciously used, mouth-washes, creams
and powders may be to great extent
discarded, for they are not needed, as
ABOVE stated. Brush and water is gen.
orally sufficient for cleansing purposes
and to keep microbes in check, and to
stimulate, tone up and keep the teeth
and gums in healthy condition. How
ever, if the need of powder is realiz-
ed, there is nothing better, or half so
good possibly, as little finely pulver-
lied puIaice stone, the only powder I
have used on my teeth for over thirty
years, say as much as the fourth of a
small size thimbleful, applied with
moistened brush with a small quantity
of water in the mouth, as often as once
a fortnight or month, or less frequent
as circumstances and condition of
the teeth required. Pumice Is harm
less, and results from its use are always
Home is the place where first lessons
for care of the mouth should be i'm
parted and enforced, but unfortunately
for children some mothers seem to feel
on the subject, and are in
excusably neglectful. Mothers highly
cultred, we'll associated and well-tO-dO
in HE, with privilege to indulge much
idle time and do, when advised with On
the subject, will say, I can't make my
children brush their teeth, or that it is
TOO much trouble. Most unreasonable
and preposterous. The idea that a
mother in a Christian land, surround
ed by refined associations and elevating
would venture to proclaim
as some do, that they
can't make their children perform
service designed for their good and so
for decency, comfort and
health, and that it is too much trouble.
such expressions proclaim the fact I'M
deniably, that there Is great deficiency
and something wrong in education and
home life. Under such circumstances
1t is difficult to determine whether
mother or children are most to be pitt
ed. 1t is unnatural, unfeellng and un-
wise tor mother to shirk duty to chill
dren. specially when comfort, health
and future welfare are involved.
Children should be taught obedi-
ence to parental rule, at least in the
of duty in the interest of
health and decency. A generation
hence it will not be as it is now, we
hope. Eyes are opening, ears ars lis
tening and hearts are moved, good
Judgment Is beginning to rule, and the
humane, beautiful work of prophylac-
tic treatment for health OF mouths and
general health has been commenced
and doubtless will be continued 10y
force of law If necessary until children
and adults generally, are blessed with
well-preserved teeth and healthy gums,
and with breath as free from faint as
the breath of babe, and no loving,
rational mother in the land will be
heard to say, she can't make her chill
dren brush their teeth, and that 1t is
too much trouble. To enforce Obedl-
ence under some circumstances is i'm
neratlve Christian duty, and should be
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