The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1919-09-18
PREVENTING
PYORRHEA.


haphazard sort of way and has over
looked the fact that the conditions
in the mouth are directly RESPONSE
BILE for future pyorrhea.
The public has been led to believe
that cleaning the teeth was merely
done for the sake of appearance.
and that brushing them with little
pumice is all that is necessary.
1t is to be regretted that the most
important, il not the most skillful
operation in dentistry should be
sighted in such manner.
The awakening Of the medical and
dental professions to the full signit-
canoe of the great number Of sys-
tematic diseases resulting from
pyorrhea has instituted a new epoch
in dental science.
As result of this awakening, the
real predisposing causes of diseases
are given the most thoro investiga-
ton. 1t is conceded that micro-
organisms play most important
part in disease, and as far back as
1890 Miller isolated more than fifty
kinds of micro-organisms from the
juices and deposits of the mouth.
The streptococcus and staphylo-
coccus are always permanent resi-
dents, and the pneumococcus is
found in 30 per cent of the mouths
of persons examined. Other germs
are SO frequently present as guests
that to find them is not at all sur
prsing.
These heterogeneous may live
with us for years without doing us
any apparent harm. They live on
particles of food, cast-off epithelial
cells, etc, but at any time the
pneumococcus, for instance, may be
come the causative factor in pneu-
monia, and they may all take part
in producing tuberculosis of the
lungs. The streptococcus is one Of
the important factors in rheumatism,
erysilepas. sore throat, blood poison
ing and many other objections
The generally recognized fact
that infections from the teeth and
tonsil cause most all of the diseases
of the heart, and are responsible for
a large per cent of the inflammation
of the eye and diseases of the kid
neys, makes it incumbent on the pub
lie to awaken to the Importance of
the care Of the mouth.
1T is JUST AS NECESSARY
TO HEALTH TO HAVE THE
MOUTH THOROUGHLY CLEAN
ED SEVERAL TIMES EACH
YEAR, AND TO BRUSH THE
TEETH At LEAST TWICE EACH
DAY AS 1T Is TO BATTLE AMI
WEAR CLEAN CLOTHES. CLEAN
Illness Is THE BEST PREVEN-
TIVE OF DISEASE THAT Is
KNOWN.
The cure of pyorrhea to be mos;
effective must be started when the
disease is in its earliest stages. Every
individual should learn to examine
his own teeth every two or three
weeks. Start with one of the last
back teeth and examine them in ro-
tation, and also examine the gums
surrounding them. When you NO
tice that the gums bleed while brush
ing them, that the gums have red
dish or purplish color or that there
are slight deposits of tartar. it Is
time to have the teeth carefully
cleaned by dentist, for these are
symptoms which. if neglected. lead
to pyorrhe1,
Some of the greatest causes of
pyorrhea that are frequently over
looked are ill-itting crowns ana
overhanginp margins of filings, and
cavities in the teeth where food can
be packed against the gum between
the teeth while eating.
just remember that pyorrhea l.
never found in a clean mouth. II is
also true that many persons have
pyorrhea who conscientiously brush
their teeth. Brushing alone will not
always prevent pyorrhea. The ser
vices of dentist who understands
oral hygiene are required in order TO
prevent it.
Another thing to remember 4
that the dentist can do little without
the earnest cooperation of.the pa
tiont Everlasting vigilance is tine
price of good teeth and clean
healthy mouth. but the trouble Is
worth while.
Pyorrhea breeds germs which ear
ry disease throut the system.
Pyorrhea does not cause pain. but
i does cause the loss of the teeth
and undermiIes the health.
Watch your teeth and preven-
trouble by keeping the teeth clean.
adv. DIR. NJ. s. HATFIELD.