Milford chronicle., 1920-03-19
TEETH AND HEALTH
By r. ALLEN GRIFFITH, D. D. S.
ORAL PROPHYLAXIS

1t is the constant watching, guard
ing and maintaining the mouth in
condition of health which constitutes
! oral prophylaxis.
Oral prophylaxis is nothing new, as
we find that the early Romans used
astringent washes, and Servilius
! Damocrates, a Greek physician, who
acquired great renOwn in Rome to-
ward the middle of the first century,
attached the greatest importance to
the cleanliness of the teeth and
gums.
Other similar instances in history
might be quoted, but space forbids.
Oral prophylaxis" is a term ap-
piled to any procedure designed to
prevent diseased conditions of the
teeth and surrounding tissues.
1t consists of radical and perfect
sanitation of all the organs of the
mouth. Experience has demonstrated
that the most careful and painstak-
ing patients are unable, with the
agents commonly employed, as the
too brush and dentifrice, toothpick
and dental floss, soaps and sO-called
germicidal washes or other agencies
to effect this end. OF course all of
these things help, but the fOrciable,
frequent sanitation by an experienced
operator has been found indispen-
sable
In detail, oral prohpylaxis consists |
of the most careful and complete re-
mOYal of all concretions, deposits of /
tartar, semisOlids, bacterial plaques /
and thickened secretiOns which gather |
OF the teeth, between them or at the |
gum margins. This operation should |
be followed by thorough polishing of
all tooth surfaces by hand methods.
The dental engine should never be
used in ordinary cleaning Of the teeth.
After the deposits of tartar have all .
been removed from under and around
the gum margins, the inner and outer
surfaces of the teeth SHOULD be thor
oughly polished with wood points
charged with a finely ground powder
that will not scratch the teeth. Silk
apes charged with the powder should
he used to polish ;he surfaces between
he teeth.
Treated in this manner, the teeth
and surrounding tissues are placed in
he most favorable condition to pre-
vent and repel septic accumulations
md deposits and aid all efforts of the
patient in the direction of cleanliness
md sanitation.
PrOphylaxis should start with the
Eruption of the baby teeth and an oc-
,asional visit to the dentist. Parents
md nurses should know how to use
he polisher and ribbon floss and to
watch for and remove all foreign sub
stances that gather on the teeth of
most children.
RnUrTlnr prnnhNfaatin m Re I
should bring a child to manhood or
with fairly sound set of
eeth few Filings and with a know
edge of how clean teeth feel. Adults
hould receive thorough prophylactic
reatment at regular stated intervals.
Without hearty cooperation be-
ween dentist and patient success
:annOt be attained.
1t is astonishing to find individuals
otherwise faultless in dress and per-
onal habits who have no conception
If the necessity of the toilet of the
mouth.
Again, however, a large proportion
If people have never been taught the
proper care of the teeth, yet upon
they become ideal in
heir habits.
ne moral Oh lulS IS ludL Lue pun
ic, as well as a large proportion Of
he dental profession, must be taught
ow TO care for the mouth and to
ealize the dire results that surely
OllOw neglected oral hygiene.
The ordinary way that most den
lists clean teeth, with pumice and
rush wheel in the dental engive can
ot be too strongly condemned, as it
cratches and remove the polish from
he teeth and affords attachment for
acterial plaques. One single scratch
rom a grain of pumice will afford
)dging place for thousands of micro
rganisms.
Don't blame the poor dentist, how
yer, for that is the way he is taught
D clean teeth in the colleges.
Oral prophylaXis requires special
raining and only the highly trained
pecialist should attempt it. Let us
ope that the day is near when all
entists will acquire this training
nd our dental colleges will teach it.
Oral prophylexis prevents disease.
IS universal adoption means a heal
hier and happier public. Every
enlist should be a specialist in oral
ygiene.
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