Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-10
Care of the Teeth and the Mouth

DECAY of the tccth is in itself an evil
- denCc of disease. \ dcCayiuG tooth Is
Just rs much AN ulcer as an ulcer upon
the arm or the face. Dental decay is the
most common Of an human maladi"S. It
means more than the decay or the loss Of
a tooth. II means that the whole body is
In state of lowered resistance. The teeth
ar" the hardest, strongest elements Of the
BODY, and they do not begin to decay so
long as the vital resistance of the body is
up TO the normal level; but when the re-
sistance of the body * lowered and the
blood is dcteriorated, the teeth and other
parts begin 10 decay. and this decay most
frequently begins with the teeth
Decay of the teeth is due to the action
of bacteria known as anacrohes. Thcs"
polSon-forninB germs grow In the Intestine
in countless numbers. doubtless to many
trilliOns. The same variety Of germs grow
in the mouth and are responsible for the
decay of the teeth. They hide away from
the air and feed upon all kinds of foods,
but especially upon meats and other foods
containing protein or albumnOus SUBJ
stances. If little food aCCumulatcs be-
tween the teeth, some of these germs which
are always present in the saliva will hide
III the food, multiply rapidly and attack the
teeth. Thus the process of decay is begun.
resulting in liberation of the teeth, cspc-
cially when one eats meat and the little
fibcrs of meat find lodrmcnt In the teeth
crcviceS. The same germs are liable to set
up Assesses around the roots of the teeth
and .may cause liberation Of the gums,
They produce pOisonS In the mouth anc
give most unpleasant odOr to the breath.
and they grow so rapidly that with each
mOrScl Of food eaten many are swept down
into the stomach and intestincs, where they
prOdl,.D putrefaction AND resulting posonS
and may give rise to serious disease.
In the healthy individual who keeps his
teeth in good condition and free from ac-
cumulatons of food. the saliva in the mouth
Is Natural germicide and easily destroys
the anaerobes. This germ-des,roylng power
is considerably weakened when the health
is impaired, the blood poor in quality or the
digestive secretons affected by stomach or
intestinal Troubles Through the last means
impaired digestion may cause decay of tho
teeth just as surely as decay of the teeth
may cause impaired digestion.
The most effective and most essential
way to prevent decay Of the teeth is to live
naturally. Proper diet and thorough masti-
cation-two of the prime requirements of
right living-are also OF local efficacy as
safeguards against dental decay. Fat
meats and similar foods should he avoided,
for the meat f:bers and the fatty substances
accumulate about the mouth and the teeth,
aid the growth OF germs and set up decay,
natural dietary Of fruits, grains and nuts
Will not only make IT easier to keep the
teeth clean, but will help directly to the
same end, The acids of fruits for exam
pie, are splendid germicides they destroy
the germs in the mouth when they come
In contact with them.
Soft foods of every kind, mushes etc.
should be avoided as much as possible, un-
less one has learned to subject them TO
very thorough mastication and mixture
with the saliva Dry, crisp foods are tc,
be preferred. not only because they require
thorough mastication, but because they
scour the teeth in the process and are the
best means of keeping them clean. Thor
ough mastication is also beneficial in sew
eral other ways. II gives the teeth the
complete exercise needed for keeping them
in sound condition, thus hardening and
nvlgorating them. 1t also stimulates the
gums and enables them to clasp the teeth
more firmly and resist the agents of decay.