The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-05-24
DENTISTS ARE WATCHING
TOOTH BRUSH CAMPAIGN

jackson, Miss, May 24.-The dem
fist of Mississippi, and especially
those of Jackson, are watching the
tooth brush campaign in New York
with great deal of interest, and it is
more than probable the question will
be brought before the State Dental
Association, which meets here Tues
day for two-days' session.
Local dentists believe good teeth
and oral hygiene two of the most i'm
ortant things pertaining to good
health. They contend that the
mouth, as the gateway to the body,
is where disease germs are generated
and there disseminated throughout
the human system. They take the
ground that many human ailments
are due to bad teeth and a bad mouth,
and some of the Jackson practitioners
will be disappointed if the Mississippi
Association does not, at least, endorse
the New York tooth brush" cam
paign. t,.- &AAs -
Ethics prvents' dentist going into
print on these matters, but the men
who favor campaign of education
for oral hygiene are among the lead
ing practitioners in this city. Several
OF them have given expression on the
subject in the last few days, and "
cry one of them is watching the New
York movement with much interest.
This is the right road to better
general health" remarked one we'll
known dentist. "There is no more
vulnerable spot in the body than the
mouth, and oral hygiene will do more
to prevent contagion than any other
one thing. &C d teeth and a clean
mouth is ecessary for a sound, healthy
bidy, and when we have made the
children of the present day realize
this, then We have taken a long step
forward in bringing about better
health conditions throughout the
country.
Every school should have course
of instruction on oral hygiene and
every teacher should understand it
sufficiently to mart the knowledge of
its Importance to the pupils in her
room. People will say the dentist
have a selfish motive in advocating
such a movement, but that is untrue. |
If the child is taught to take care
of its teeth, there will be less need |
for the dentist, less demand for a |
physician, but healthier men and |
women.
Does the physician, when giving
you instructions as to how to take
care of yourself when convalescing
from an illness indicate any but the |
most humane motive? He tells you
what to do to get we'll and strong
again, just as the dentist, after car
ing for your teeth tells you how to
better preserve them. There is no
selfish motive in that. If the physi-
clan was looking only for your money
he would not be so explihit in his
nor would the dentist, if
his motive was a sordid one, tell you
how to preserve your teeth, which
means a monetary loss to him.
I'll venture the assertion that more
than half the ills of children and
adults are caused by unkept teeth,
lack of proper hygienic methods in
caring for the mouth, thus protecting
The system from disease germs. I
may be wrong, and some will say I
am, but that is my opinion, and it is
lust as good as that of any other
nan. have been practicing dentistry
or several years-long enough to
know the value of oral hygiene, and
would be glad to see the movement
started that would make the public
'ealize the value of taking proper care
If the teeth"
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