The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1922-05-25
CARE OF THE TEETH

In recent survey of the work of the
county nurse it was found that out of
234O pupils inspected, 1858 had defec-
tive teeth, while only 304 had ever been
to the dentist for care, In the city of
Manitowoc, a recent report of the city
nurse, shows that less than 1919 of the
children in the city of Manitowoc have
defective teeth, This latter fact may
be explained by the fact that there
have been public health nurses in the
city of ManitowOc for several years
and for the last two years, they have
had Dental Clinics. In the county the
work is pioneer and results of course,
will he slower. The following article
on the Care of the Teeth" was writ
ten by Miss Lillian Stoltenberg, a stu
dent at the Manitowoc High School
Most people do not realize the inn
portancc of the proper care of the baby
teeth, because they are regarded only
as temporary organs. But often the
first or six year permanent molar is
mistaken for a milk tooth and neglect
ed and allowed to decay until it has to
be extracted The six year molar is the
first second tooth a child gets and be-
cause it comes just back of the baby
teeth, it is often regarded as first
tooth. This six year molar is called
by dentists, the key tooth of the mouth,
for it helps to make a path for the
other second teeth If the six year
moar is extracted, the other teeth
never come in as they should and very
often the entire shape of the mouth is
changed Also if the first permanent
molars are neglected, bad Indigestion
from improper masticatiOn, headaches,
ill-tempers and tOothaches result. 1t is
evident that much misery and unhappi-
ness are caused by decaying and aching
teeth often without sympathy from
those responsible for the bringing up
of the child.
First, in consideration in the care of
the teeth is cleanliness of the mouth,
which helps to prevent decay, Second
ly, proper treatment of teeth in case of
disease by a competent dentist BY
visiting dentist twice a year much
pain and expense is saved
A good brush, a spool of silk floss,
plenty Of pure water and tooth paste
is all that is necessary to cleanse the
mouth. The teeth should not be
brushed cr0ss-wisc but in a rotary mo-
ton permitting the bristles to pass be-
tween the interspaccs of the teeth,
The most common disease of the
teeth is rapid dental decay This often
occurs during typhoid fever and rheu-
matte fever. Pyorrhea is common to
an alarming degree. The teeth have a
great deal to do with the health of the
body, as in the case of Theodore
Roosevelt, his death being traced to
defective tooth The American people
are becoming a nation of dyspeptics,
because they are guilty of boiling their
food and masticating it insufficiently in
the rush and hurry of the age. If the
mouth and teeth are tended to, the
stomach will take care of itself.
We know how much the teeth have
to do with the beauty of the face. Is
q girls face, even if ever so pretty, as
appealing if her teeth are dingy and
neglected? Shiny white teeth make a
vast difference in plain face. Are
you one Of those people afraid to smile
because you are conscious of your neg
lectcd teclh2
Consider what an economy 1t is to
care for your teeth. You ward not
only the pain, the embarrassment, but
also prevent the swelling of the dentist
fee, Keep your mouth and teeth in the
best condition and the undertaken will
call less and the dealer in false teeth
will not he SO prosperous"
V. N.