The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-03-29
The TEETH AND HEALTH.
Little Talks On Health and Hygiene by
Samuel G. Dixon, N. D., IL. D.,
d, Commissioner Of Health.

We frequently hear specialists
declaring that the health ofman-
kind depends upon the proper
care of that portion of the body
upon which they specialize. Now,
the human organism is so COM
plicated an affair that nobody is
safe in putting such a sweeping
responsibility upon any one or
gan; yet there are many who will
say the dental surgeon, when he
makes his claim that defective
teeth have more to do with phys
ical degeneration in humankind
than any other member gone
wrong, has more behind him than
some of his brother specialists.
His is a claim that cannot be
checked off with exactness, but
we do know through scientific in
vestigation, as well as from ex-
perience in practice, that defec-
tive teeth cause great deal of
i'll health; and am one of those
who will 60 as far as to say that
care of the teeth from infancy
onward brings certainly as great,
and possibly greater, rewards
than like care Of any other one
organ.
1t is a wonder men and wo-
men do not take better care of
their teeth, not because of the
benefit to health-because that
seems to be the last thing we
could hope to have any influence
but because there is nothing
that adds more to the personal
appearance of man or woman
than beautiful set of teeth. If,
for instance, some women would
pay as much attention to their
teeth as they do to putting
splotches of paint on their faces,
they would not only be more at
tractive personally but would en-
joy better health.
The mouth and nose are the
busiest ports of entry for disease
in the human body. The mouth,
particularly when the teeth are
defective, retains many germs
that would produce disease, and
the environment will furnish that
which promotes their multiplica-
ton.
The mucous membrane of the
mouth is in itself quite resistful
to disease germs, yet at times it
becomes infected and the pus-
forming germs bore their way
into the bones of the face, pro-
ducing long suffering, disfigure-
ment and sometimes even pro-
ceed until they destroy the life
of the individual.
Pyorrhea encourages the
growth of pus-producing organ
isms, which from their purulent
matter around the teeth. This
is discharged into the mouth with
every act of mastication, thus
often helping to cause stomach
and intestinal diseases.
Through the poisons that are
produced by the absorption from
these centers Of pus. the vital or
gans of the body are frequently
disturbed. Disease of the intes-
final tract, which is often secon-
Diary to infected teeth, even in
its early stages is very distress
ing and has a terribly depressing
effect on the sufferer. 1t has
been said that no man dies a
heroic death who has q disease of
the stomach or intestinal tract.
The formation of the pus in
the mouth is often long neglect
ed, whereas if a small scratch on
the finger becomes infected and
pus forms, the doctor is general
ly called in consultation immedi-
ately because of the fear of blood
poisoning.
Long life, happiness and pros
perity depends much upon a
clean mouth full Of healthy teeth.
This talk is only to warn those
who have not stopped to think of
what evils come from neglecting
the teeth. Do not forget the
baby's first dentition. as its en-
tire life may be effected by the
habits that are formed at that