The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-05-19
Department Of Health
and Sanitation
Conducted By N. F. Chapman, Of
Myndus, N. NJ, EX-Sanitary In
specaor Of State Of Arkansas
Care of Children's Teeth

atlZe the NGtuC Ot ptoptt N@AS V
the children's teeth, there would be
fewer epidemics of scarlet fever
diptheria and measles" said a
prominent dentist recently.
The teeth should be brushed
night and morning and also after
each meal, then germs would not
have time to grow.
As the milk teeth loosen and
come out, the second set of teeth
take their places. The first four
permanent teeth come in at about
six years. These must be watched
very closely so that they are shap-
ed correctly. If they come in
crooked or overlapping the child
should be taken to a dentist.
Crooked teeth not only do poor
work in chewing, but r a tax on
the child's nerves and there is no
reason why a child should have to
go through life with the unattract-
i've appearance this malformation
produces.
Toothache is one of the common
tragedies of childhood and it is all
unnecessary. A tooth never aches
unless it is decayed, then the nerve
within tells you that it needs at
teutiOn.
But the best time to save the
tooth has gone by when it begins to
ache, though parents are likely to
be satisfied as long as the tooth
doesn't ache.
When a tooth is decayed, it
forms a poison, and this is drawn
into the blood, it also drains into
the stomach, and the cavity makes
a nice cosy place for germs to
lodge. Germs of tuberculosis are
frequently found in a decayed
tooth.
In some of the city schools the
children are now being examined
as carefully for defective teeth as
for any other ailment, and instruc-
tions given for their proper a
A pin or needle should never be
used to pick the teeth, as the enam-
el that cover them is easily
scratched. A wooden toothpick or
dental floss may be used to remove
particles of food from between the
teeth. Biting thread is bad on the
enamel,
Tough food such as bread crust.
meat. toast and raw apples, etc,
are good to strengthen the teeth.
Giving them something to bite
against is good for the children
and the habit should be maintained
when grown. Chewing stimulates
the flow of saliva, and thus aids
digestion.
The damage candy and other
sweets do to the teeth comes from
the acid the sugar forms, which
then accumulates on the teeth near
the gums, where the enamel is the
thiuuest. No harm will come if
the teeth are washed well after
eating.
Where there is Indigestion, head
ache or offensive breath, suspect
the teeth. If there are gum boils,
toothache, or crooked teeth consult
a dentist Consult him twice q
year, anyway.
Children early taught the use of
the tooth brush are armed against
many ills. Tooth powders should
be II ID ono a day. A good pow
der j. mode Of equal parts of pow
dered "h"lk ard tooth powder,
p%erfumcd or favored as desired.
This may be bought very cheaply
By the pound The simplest mouth
WISH md ore generally available
is made of one.half teaspoonful of
baking soda to one glass Of wa
ter. Boric acid may be used in
place Of the soda or a tablespoon
full of some pleasing disinfectant.
Where artificial teeth are used, the
same attention should be given,
removing them at night, and plac-
ing them in a weak soda solution.
A few drops of ammonia may be
added TO the water if desired.
a little cream or olive oil given
the baby when cutting teeth will
often bring them through with a
very little pain.
recently heard a woman say she
had had to pay 81 for having her
baby's first teeth filled. Another
woman standing near, said: 81
had my baby's milk teeth filled
and now she is "a and has perfect
teeth That may be the reason
her teeth are perfect now, but a
mother careful as that has very
likely tr med her daughter to care
for her teeth. 1t really is true that
it is most unusual to see an adult
with perfect teeth.