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

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suggested.
The toothbrush, properly used
doubtless is our best and most effectiv
prophylactic agent, and prophylacti
treatment for the preservation of teetl
and gums, and for the prevention O
oral disease is the alI-important subiec
TOR the consideration of dentists ant
the public to-day, and must lie unit
the theory is more fully comprehend
ed and is successfully reduced to prac
tlce. Much thought on the subject il
being INDUCED by some of the hes
men In the professions, (medical ane
dental.) and there Is cause for hope
that it is only question of time wher
lively general interest will be aroused
and preventive treatment will become
universal and more teeth will be pre-
served and retained for utility, cause
for unhealthy gums prevented, and
faint OF breath never more a nuisance
to be endured.
RIGHTEOUSNESS of practical pattern
for effective use in cleansing teeth and
| tongue, small size, open space brushes
such as the j. n. johnson brush il
more greatly needed than an Increase
OF drugs for mouth use. In evidence
OF the virtue of the brush as a disease
preventive and health preserving factor
when and freely used. 1 Will mention
the fact that in cities and towns where
dentists prevail and have had super
vision and care of mouths from child
hood period to maturer years and have
carefully instructed in the use of the
toothbrush, decay of teeth and dis
ease OF gums are much less frequent.
and Riggs disease is but seldom seen.
and it never advances with destructive
tendency as II rural districts where
the services Of dentists are not easily
obtained. Another fact sustaining ad
vocacy for the frequent use of brush Is,
that after treatment and cure OF the
disease above mentioned, if the brush
is freely used after meals there will be
no return of the disease and no foul
breath.
With increased aud intelligent use
OF the toothbrush, commencing with
childhood period. not only would
teeth and gums be preserved in COM
parstively normal state, with breath
preserved free from faint, hut general
health doubtless would be better pre-
served.
The toothbrush is, as above stated,
an important factor for health. This
is not questionable, but the indiscrim-
mate selection and use of them, as
found on the market, is an unwise
practice, for the large majority are
more detrimental than beneficial when
used. A smooth-faced brush especially
the larger sizes, with brlstles compactiy
set, should never be put in the mouth.
Such are not effective for good results,
and they soon become lmpacted with
debris and are offensive, and are first
class germ incubators. The object OF
the brush should not be to beautify
the exposed surface of front teeth, as
is the custom with most people, but to
preserve and keep in a healthy state
all the teeth and gums if possible
therefore small size brushes with tufts
of bristles set we'll apart, and brlstles
serrated half the length or more, for ef-
fectlve application for the removal of
impacted substance are most practical
and are to be preferred.
The johnson brush, so highly en-
dorsed, though not perfect, Is favorably
designed for effective use, and in point
OF size, shape and practical adaptabllity
for cleansing teeth, removing finely
masticated substance from between and
around the teeth, and keeping gums
in healthy state, it is very effective
and must increase rapidly in popular
favor as a thoroughly practical brush
and much needed for healthful preser-
walton of the teeth and gums. The
shape and small size of the brush, open
space between rows of bristles, deep SER
ration OF bristles, and the smallness OF
handle stem enabling to hold water in
the mouth easily without splitting
while brushing are practical and i'm
portant features that commend not
only this but all corresponding pat
terms of brush. 1t is all important
that there shall be great revolution
and change in the manufacture OF
tooth-brushes. Shape, size and trim
of bristles must be more carefully con-
s;dered, and the needed supply OF prsc-
tical, health preserving brushes must
be furnished. There is much ignor-
ance pertaining to pattern and use OF
tooth-brushes and education on the
subject is essential. In the use OF the
brush there is no special motion or
mode of application requisite. To keep
the teeth clean and free from hurtful
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