The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1914-02-20
A5PLEA FOR ORAL HYGIENE
81 BY DIR. NICHOLSON 81

5000
a PLEA FOR ORAL HYGIENE.
BY DE. NICHOLSON
The physical examination Of school
children now being. carried on shows
the percentage Of school children
with decayed teeth, especially between
the ages Of Z and IL years, is 50 large
that child without from one to ten
carious teeth is a real rarity. This in
the main, is due to neglect and ignor-
ance. f.&>,
Pamphlets urging and instructing
school children in oral hygiene will
soon be issued and explained by a
short lectures. The teaching of oral
hygiene is hard task for the great
mass of the people-the parents of the
school children-those whom it is most
necessary to reach have never heard
of such thing. Teachers, medical
inspectors, visiting nurses and those
people engaged in looking after the
general welfare of the masses can
only reach small percentage. The
newspapers have kindly taken up the
movement and through this valua-
BILE agent it is hoped that larger
numbers will be reached:
Oral hygiene does not mean simply
brushing the teeth once or twice daily,
it's scope is much broader. It includes
the teaching of the Importance of
healthy mouths to the general health
and looks of the individual, and in
structs in the care of the teeth and
gums. Teaches the Importance of
proper dental interference. Many
cases of so-called indigestion immedi-
ately disappear when the individuals
teeth are put into proper condition
for the mastication of his food. 1t is
known fact that infammatory
rheumatism, sore threats, various alb
scesses, etc. may arise from the alb
sorption of germs and poisons from
decayed teeth and gums. It is hardly
necessary to speak of the effect that
stained or decayed teeth have upon the
general appearance Of the individual.
We all know of examples where the
beauty of the individual is much mar
red by such conditions.
Daily brushing the teeth will not in
all cases prevent dental carries, but we
insist upon it as a great sanitary
measure fully as necessary as the
bath. The teeth should be brushed
at least twice daily-once in the morn
ing and once before retiring-with a
fairly stiff brush, which should be
changed as soon as the bristles are
worn. The gums should also be
brushed, as this stimulates the circula-
ton in them and tends towards better
nourishment of the teeth. Almost
any of the standard tooth powders.
pastes or liquid dentrifices are good
Their choice being largely matter of
personal taste. Too highly perfum-
ed preparations or any which seem to
act severely or to stain the Innings of
the mouth should be avoided.
Proper diet, which means adequate
nutrition, together with the use OF
the teeth in mastication are probably
the greatest agents in keeping the
teeth in healthy state. Malnutrition
of the body often has as one Of it's &C.
accompanying ailments decayed teeth
AS soon as tooth is unsound it is nc
longer used because Of the pain caused
by it's use and it's decay rapidly pro.
ceeds without that valuable saving
agent, namely-the use of the tooth
Teeth should be inspected at least
twice year by reputable dentist
Virginia is blessed in having none but
ethical high standard dental surgeons
We have no "fake dental institutions
where an inferior grade of denta
work is done; where the patient is
"bled" and made poor both financial
ly and orally by INSCRIPTIONS pract
itioners. 1t is hoped that the people
understand and appreciate the gooe
dental service that they have and will
not tolerate the foundation of sucl
institutes" as are seen in larger
cities, and if found should die from
the lack Of support.
In the bi-annual visit to the DENTS
he will examine the teeth for hidde,
cavities, usually small ones. Earl,
proper treatment prevents loss of tn
tooth and avoids much discomfort
He will remove deposits which will
form no matter how scrupulously tn