Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-15
BY J. II. KELLOGG, NJ. D., LII. d.

JNiiE teeth fulnll such essential func-
u tions in our lives that they deserve
all the care, expense and trouble that
may be necessary to preserve them in
sound condition.
The primary function Of the teeth is
'to mastcatc the food thoroughly and
thus prepare Il for stomach digestion.
Not orfy Is thorough mastication the
first step in the process Of nourishing the
body but, so far as We have any control
over the process, II is the most import
ant. II the first step is improperly done,
all the rest Of the digestive work will he
imperfect No other one thing In the
trines Of our daily existence is SO essen
tial TO health and happiness as thorough
mastication OF our food
Imperfect chewing of the food is due
to one or both Of two causes-hasty eat
ting or defective teeth. If both evils are
not already present one will bring on
the other. for hasty eating. by falling
10 give sufficient exercise to the teeth
and for favorirg decay, will sooner or
later damage the teeth. Similarly, the
presence Of defective teeth makes thor
ough mastication difficult and virtually
impossible. and thus predisposcs TO hasty
eating with its serious results Thus the
two evils work in a vicious circle which
is most detrimental TO health and can
he avoided only by the persistent prac-
tics of thorough chewing and the patient
care Of the teeth
In most cases OF impaired digestion.
whether caused by defective teeth or
not. the teeth should receive prompt and
! thorough attention. otherwise perma-
ncut correction of the digestive system
cannot he assured.
No woman who Covets possession of
beautiful face can sfford TO neglect her
teeth or to commit any of the hygienic
sins which do injury to the teeth. Proper
care and preservation of the teeth will
| do more TO promote the beauty Of the
/ face than any amount Of massage. face
/ applications, or artihccs Of any kind
/ The symmetry and color OF the lower
| part Of the face depend upon the sound
ness and complete use of the teeth. II
| the teeth are thoroughly exercised the
| jaws are given "A complete blood cirCri-
/ lation and their full, regular and shapely
| development Is assured. Misshapen, un-
| slightly jaws are more often due to un-
| soundncSs or irregularity of the teeth
+ than 10 any other cause. If any or all
/ of the teeth are lost, as for instance
/ in old age, the gums shrink away, the
| checks fan in and the chin protrudes.
! Even when only few OF the teeth are
! lost the expression of the face Is modi-
: tied for the worse, and II the teeth are
/ lost in such q way that there is loss Of
! opposition. preventing the proper fitting
together of the teeth the jaws are apt
| 10 become abnormal in shape. In ex-
/ ircmc cases where several teeth have
been lost, the face is very materially
changed and an offensive and unpleas-
ant expression acquired Hence the very
considerable importance. from an
esthetic standpoLlt alone of a complete
and well-kept set of teeth
II Is rare phenomenon in these days
to find an adult in full possession of the
natural set of thirty-two teeth. Even
/ among school children dcCayed or miss
iug teeth are the rule rather than the
exception Too often the loss of single
tooth or of several teeth Is regarded as
inevitable and as a trilling matter, The
truth Is that the loss Of even a single
tooth Of the permanent set is seriou,
defect, The arch of the teeth must b,
complete In both jaws III order that tn,
whole work Of digestion may be dont
properly. If only one tooth Is lacking
some portion of food will remain anC
set up fermentation and decay, and this
opposing tooth, finding nothing opposed
to IL. will elongate beyond its line and
thus impair tho regularity of the teeth
The loss of every additional tooth
magnifles these evils considerably. The
teeth should therefore receive careful
and constant watching to guard against
the loss of even "A single tooth. and nc
pNDense or trouble should be spared &c