Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-29
Health Talks by DR.. Brady
Shall We Brush Our Tcethf

Some pretty competent dentists have mus
tered courage in the past few years to with
hold their Endorsement or approval OF the
practice OF brushing the teeth as part OF
the regular personal toilet ] proud IL
take my stand with these brave men, for IL
docs call for extraordinary moral courage for
a practicinE dentist to commit himself an
opponent Of the toothbrush. considering the
toothbrush drills In the primary schools and
the thirty years or moro Of wcll-niEh uni
vcrsal Endorsement the dentists have given
the toothbrush. I confess I'm little weak In
my own position. because 1 am still uncertain
whether II is beneficial detrimental or just
useless for young children to brush their teeth
daily or for mothers nurses to brush the
baby teeth. or course. it stands To reason that
IL tooth brushings Is worth while at all 1t is
Tar more essential for the baby teeth. from the
cutting OF the first tooth then 1t Is for tho teeth
o: m adult Any dentist oral hygienist who
purports to believe That brushing saves the
tooth. yet fails to emphasize Importance of
regular brushing for the primary teeth just
doesn't mean anything 10 me.
Granting 1t is necessary 10 brush the child
teeth daily. or even the adults teeth occa-
sionally. what Is tho best dcntrifce to use? In
my Judgment plain soap is the peer. IL not tho
superior, OF any other such preparation we can
find. l weigh this Judgment against every
essential acknowledgment or cleansing val
NC. taste, antiseptic value. freedom from harm
full effect and economy. am an unfortunate
man. II does seem M though inHariaDiy
choose the unpopular side of these questions.
A recent invention OF toothbrush made of
some cheap fiber which suflccs for ono brush
ing. after which tho brush is thrown away.
suggests serious fault OF the ordinary tooth
brush. namely, bacterial contamination from
the time It is first used. We have hair and nail
brushes which will stand boiling; n tooth
brush should be boiled before each brushing
IL 1t Is to be sanitary. AS ordinarily kept,
tho thing Is an abomination. | feel safer In
putting into my mouth n brush which has been
paved over on the counter in the store than
do in using a brush / have already used once
or several times. even though the brush be
washed with soap and water.
IF your dentist advises brushing tho teeth.
with or without any particular dentrifcc he
certainly knows best'what your teeth need
But in the absence OF such advice. would
suggest, for adults. brushing as rarely as pos
sible and then only with soap and water.
Neither toothbrush nor a silk hat is n sign
OF gentle breeding.
Questions and Answers.
Sore Gums-What would you suggest for
gums that are sore and inclined to bleed
easily?-(W. G. Ky
Answer-Twice each week paint them with
a mixture of equal parts OF tincture Of iodine,
glycerin and tincturc OF myrrh. Once daily
brush the teeth and gums with a drop OF the
following solution on the moistencd brush, and
do not rinse this away when through brushing
Fluid extract OF ipecac. ...10 drops.
Fluid extract of witch hazel. L ounce.
Table and Chair have to remain seated at
n table long hours daily, writing and reading.
Please tell me what the most suitable height
OF table and chair would be- to avoid strain
or fatigue. What Is the most rcstful sitting
posture? what shade or color Is most sooth
ing to the cyes?-(W. j. W.
Answer-Top of table should be level with
point of elbow you sit in your chair. Chair
seat should he level with bend of knees. SO
that your feet will rest the floor and your
thighs on the seat when you sit erect. The
most restful sitting posture is reasonably
erect posture. with the chair back in contact
with the buttocks, both feet on the floor one
In advance Of tho other and both forcarms on
the table. The greens and hun shades of ma
ture are most soothing to the eyes