Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-06
HEALTH AND HYGIENE.
THE TEETH AND HEALTH.
BY SAMUEL G. DIXON,
N. D.. IL. D., D. Sc.

One frequently hears specialists de-
claring that the health OF mankind de-
Ponds upon the proper care of that por-
ton of the body upon which they spe-
cialize. Now, the human organism is
so complicated an affair that nobody is
safe in putting such sweeping re-
sponsibility upon any one organ; yet
there are many who will say the dental
surgeon. when he makes his claim that
defective teeth have more to do with
physical 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 investigation, as well
as from experience in practice, that
defective teeth cause great deal of
i'll health; and l am one of those who
Will go 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 wonder men and women do not
take better care OF their teeth. not be-
cause OF the benefit to health-because
that seems to be the last thing we
could hope to have any inf1uence-but
| because there is nothing that adds
more to the personal appearance of
| man or woman than a beautiful set
| of teeth. If. for instance. some women
would pay much attention to their
teeth as they do to putting paint on
their faces they would not only be
| more attractive personally, but would
enjoy 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 multiplication.
| The mucous membrane of the mouth
| is in itself quite resistful to disease
! germs yet at times it becomes infected
and the germs bore their way into the
phones of the face. producing long suf-
F, fering. Disagreement and sometimes
! even proceed until they destroy the life
| of the individual.
| Pyorrhea encourages the growth of
organisms. which form their purulent
matter around the teeth. This Is dis
charged into the mouth with every act
of mastication, thus often helping to
| cause stomach and intestinal diseases.
| Through the poisons that are pro-
duced by the absorption from these
! centers. the vital organs of the body
| are frequently disturbed. Disease of
| the intestinal tract. which is often
| secondary to infected teeth. even in its
| early stages. is very distressing. and
| has a terribly depressing effect on the
| sufferer. 1t has been said that no man
! dies Il heroic death who has a disease
of the stomach or intestinal tract.
An inspection of the mouth is often
| long neglected, whereas if a small
scratch on the finger becomes infected
the doctor is usually called in consul
| tation Immediately because of the fear
| OF blood poisoning.
Long life. happiness and prosperity
| depend 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 entire life may be affected by the
| habits that are formed at that time