Milford chronicle., 1920-11-12
DENTAL RESEARCH

Wonderful strides have been made
during the last ten years by the dem
tai profession in carrying on invest
igations to prove the relationship eX-
isting between chonic focal infections
associated with teeth and their sys-
temic effects.
The work has received the cordial
approval of most of the eminent medi-
cal men.
In an address delivered some years
ago. DR.. Charles H. Mayo spoke in
complimentary terms of the work
done by dentists, and he closed with
the significant statement: "The next
great important step in preventive
medicine should be taken by the dem
tai profession" Since that time much
original research work has been done
by dentists.
Many dentists have carried on orig
inal research work, and the dentists
of the United States have built and
financed a research institution which
is located in Cleveland, Ohio. The re-
search work which is carried on by
this institution is of the greatest val
ne not only to the dental profession,
but to every individual in our coun-
try.
ont of the scientific research work
of the past few years oral hygiene
has been developed. Oral hygiene IS
the science of taking proper care OF
the mouth and teeth to promote good
health. Mouth cleanliness is the latest
thing that science has to offer for the
prevention and cure of disease ana
for the prolonging of life.
There can be no doubt that half OF
the disease that take toll of mankind
will be controlled when dentistry has
succeeded in teaching people to keep
their mouths clean.
An individual with an unclean
mouth and decayed teeth is in con-
stant danger of becoming a victim of
infectious disease. It has been found
that many chronic ailments are due to
bad teeth.
1t is only within recent years that
the great value of dentistry as a pre-
ventive of disease has been recogniz
ed. Most people, unfortunately, re
gard the care of the teeth as some
thing to be resorted TO only as final
necessity. A toOthache is looked up
on as an annoyance to be treated by
palliative and temporary methods as
long as possible, and only to have the
tooth filled or extracted as a last re-
sort.
Many people willfully let their teeth
decay to a point where it is necessary
to extract them, not realizing appar-
emily that they are losing an essen
tial part of their anatomy, just as
much as if they were to sacrifice
finger or a toe, and which may leave
serious effect upon their general
health and physical capacity.
This wrong viewpoint about the
teeth and carelessness about mouth
conditions has been and is fruit
full cause of much disease.
Within the late years scientists.
the dental profession, physicians of
all schools and the more enlightened
of the general public have begun to
realize that the entry thru which
disease find ways into the body is Of
ten the mouth.
In the human unclean mouth exists
the most ideal conditions which mi
require to live and |
lnulllplH III. Auot VI lllt SCI ilio MAlANA ]
thrive in the mouth are of disease-prO- |
ducing varieties and they find their
way into the blood stream and are |
thus carried to distant parts of the |
body.
With these important facts in mind, |
it will be understood why regular |
careful attention to maintain cleanli- |
ness of the mouth and to preserve the
eeth is so essentially worth while.
1t means added vitality and length
ened life, increased nutrition. and
therefore, greater physical fitness,
'reedom from pain, economy from a
money standpoint and keener mental
ty. Is not all this worth while?
Decayed and neglected teeth cause
Bad teeth may affect
he heart, the eyes and ears-in fact,
Ill our faculties are weakened by dis
ased teeth and a neglected mouth.