The Washington herald., 1916-11-18

As soon as the teeth begin to break
down, the cheeks fall in. Whenever a
tooth is removed the blood supply Is cut
OF from that part OF the jaw, and II
begins to shrink, and in time this shrink
age of the jaws completely alters the
shape Of the face. The preservation oi
the teeth. therefore, IL one OF the most
important points In the development of
an attractive old age. Scientific dentistry
is doing wonderful things to make this
possible. Teeth that have been broken
down through neglect can be built up tu
resemble the original. so perfectly that
even an expert cannot detect the dif-
ference. Spaces caused by loss OF teeth
are now bridged over in ways undreamed
Of q few years ago: cavities are no longer
filled with unsightly metals, but with
enamel that matches the tooth SO per-
fectly that detection is impossible. Much
time is being devoted by chemists to the
making of preparations that will pre-
serve the gums, and so prevent the ten
dency to sponginess or shrinkage so com
mon in advancing years. Indeed very
great deal OF trouble with the teeth Is
caused by an unhealthy condition of the
gums. Much of this unhealthiness IL due
to a deposit upon the neck OF the tooth
called tartar which induces the gums
to shrink away from the teeth. This IL
its be made to the dentist for the re-
moval of these deposits, and in the mean.
time such remedies and measures should
be employed as will prevent its forma-
ton.
As already pointed out in previous ar
ticles, the natural chemical reaction OF
saliva Is alkaline, or rather such has
been the belief until now when scientific
searchings into the causes Of things
show that saliva is usually neutral,
neither acid nor alkaline; but It is very
apt in nine cases out OF ten to be acid.
and in many OF the nine cases It is hyper
acid: therefore, many begin to maniftst
unpleasant conditions of the teeth and
gums by the time middle life is reached.
A wash that will neutraIize the Sc
cretions of the mouth is OF even more
imperative need than the daily scrub
bling of the teeth. for OF what avail is
scrubbing of the teeth when the agents
that give rise to all sorts of disfiguring
mouth troubles are permitted to con-
tinue doing their destructive work? OF
course, these agents do not bring about
destroying conditions in a day or a week
or a year. Just as so few of US are
provident and begin in very early life to
save the pennies for a rainy day, so do
we neglect in the days of our youth the
preservation of our charms against the
encroachments of oncoming years. 1t is
wise to use a proper mouth wash several
timse daily, one that will not only
neutralize saliva, but one that will har-
den and preserve the gums. There are a
very great many good ones on the mar
ket, and there are many formulas to
choose from.
Massage OF the gums is now being high.
ly recommended for their preservation
when still healthy. and for their restora
tion when they have begun to shrink oI
have become spongy. The tip of the in
dex finger is employed and the gums
rubbed briskly from above downward OF
the upper jaw and vice versa on the
lower jaw; the idea to be borne in MIND
being to press and rub them toward the
teeth. always toward, never away from
the teeth. An .astringent powder facili
tates the work; here are two:
No. POTASSIUM chlorate, IL ounces
borax, ounce: oil OF wintergreen, q
minums; oil of peppermint, 20 mipums
calcium carbonate, 6 ounces.