The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1911-06-17
THE NECESSITY OF SCHOOL
INSTRUCTION IN DENTAL HYGIENE

apparent to the public as the good
effects OF modern improvements in
sanitation and better conditions OF
life make themselves felt throughout
the civilized world. Yet three-fourths
OF the highly intelligent, well-educat.
ed people receive with surprise and
even question your motive when you
suggest that the teeth of children
should be carefully cleaned and at
tended to. It is our duty to care for
the health Of the mouth in every pos
sible form, and, when that has been
accomplished, there will be from one
half to three-fourths less work for the
physician, as most of the ailments of
man are caused by mouth-infection. A
very broad statement: let us see
what we can offer in support of this
claim. Infectious or contagious dis
eases are now recognized to have
their origin in minute vegetable or
ganisms known as bacteria.
The mouth under the most favor
able circumstances, is an ideal incu-
bator for the development of many
forms of bacteria, and bacteria, both
disease and non-disease causing, are
present therein at all times, as
many as fifty different varieties hav.
ing been discovered.
The life-circle of these bacteria de-
mands certain conditions, which are,
suitable temperature, moisture, food,
and a removed Of these waste products
sufficient to prevent their own de.
struction. All these conditions are pre-
ent within the oral cavity, or mouth.
The oral cavity is the main gate
way to the entire body, and It is
through this gateway that practically
all that is physically evident must
pass: 1t is also through this gateway
that many destructive diseases find
entrance originating from infectious
material in the mouth.
The bacillus tuberculosis exists in
the mouths of many suffering from
pulmonary troubles, also at time in
the mouths of the health. Investiga-
ton has disclosed the diplococcus of
pneumonia, in mouths of about fifteen
per cent of healthy individuals, as
also the bacillus of typhoid and diph.
liberia and the heterogeneous of
thrush, erysipelas, anthrax, etc.
These bacteria, along with purulent
discharges from Assesses and pyorr.
hea pockets, are taken into the food
and swallowed in great numbers. II
is true that many are killed by the
gastric Juice of the stomach, which is
a weak germicide, but many develop
in weak stomach and produce dis.
ease. Many pass through the stomach
into the intestines and either excite
disease Of specific character, such as
typhoid or produce abnormal intestin.
al fermentation the poisons Of which
may be absorbed, or the germs may
remain localized in the mouth and
produce oral disease. Nature does all
she can to prevent the entrance of
these bacteria into the system. II,
however, in the struggle for existence
the natural defences of the body
(such as the germicidal substance
which normally exists in the blood)
fail to perform their duty. whether
"S"hShSu w iatibue, uisedee, VI ue-
bility, the tissues fall prey to the
invaders and disease results; the bac.
terra are for the time masters of the
situation. The occasional failure of
these natural policemen of the body
to afford protection makes 1t neces,
sary for us to assist by artificial de.
lenses. The keystone of prevention
lies in hygiene and prophylaxis.
Fermentation, putrifaction, and un
cleanliness in the oral cavity FREEDOM
mate in and about the teeth, conse
quently these organs need first at
tention. The worth of that old say