Milford chronicle., 1935-03-22
The DeLaware State
Health Council
TEETH AND NUTRITION
BY DR.. Charles R. Jefferis, Chair
man. State Dental and Oral
Hygiene Society

~ IL AMAA ACd IL 04A4AA
man. State Dental and Oral
Hygiene Society
Nutrition is the process by which
growth and development are accom-
plished and by which repair of It's
sues and proper tone of the animal
organism is maintained. 1t is de-
pendent on a number of essential
conditions; first, normally func-
tioning organs; second, proper
foods, correctly prepared; and third,
absence of strong, emotional stress.
Laugh and grow fat" is much
more than a figure of speech.
Our bodies are infinitely complex
structures, composed of many chem
ical elements which must be fur
Dished in sufficient quantities and
proper form to be available to our
digestive system.
A good diet Is one which should
include a wide variety of foods, raw
as well as cooked, rather than one
catering to taste only. One is not
so likely to eat too much Of certain
foods as to take too little of many
essential foods. When that mistake
is made, malnutrition results.
Our teeth are intended to last
throughout life. And they will. if we
maintain good health and use our
teeth correctly. Hard service is ben
eficfal to the teeth. not only in keep
ing them clean but also in keeping
them firm in their sockets.
The shape Of the tooth root is
that of a long cone. The socket is
formed cOFrespOndingly. Covering
the root is fibrous membrane well
supplied with nerves and blood yes
sells. The great pressure exerted in
masticatiOn depresses the teeth in
their sockets and forces the blood
out of this membrane. When the
mouth is opened again the tooth
rises, ever so slightly. but enough to
allow fresh arterial blood to refill
the vessels in this membrane and
thus greatly increase the amount of
new blood to nourish the tooth and
hone, and keep them normal. Soft
foods will not allow this, hence the
gums become tender and the bones
or wastes away.
All vitamins are essential; we
definitely know that a malnutrition
results when insufficient quantities
are received.
Vitamin A is concerned with the
ability of mucous membranes to re-
sist infection. Vitamin c controls, to
, great extent, the circulation in the
.iniest blood vessels, and therefor
ieals directly with the formation of
ientin, health of the tooth pulp, the
gum tissue, and supporting bone.
D is required to insure cal
the hardening of the teeth
md bones. Without Vitamin d. the
'hild has rickets and the teeth melt
Or decay very rapidly.
Childhood is not the only time
when the health of the teeth is
threatened. One can have an almost
normal period of development and
each adulthoOd with a perfect den
ure. But then we are beset with the
destructive effects of our emotions
which, when strong or violent, have
uch a depressing effect on our Sc
retory organs that they cease to
unctiOn properly and at times the
eeth are badly attacked by decay. |
rhis is a display Of malnutrition, |
'aused by disturbed nervous and or
'anic function rather than faulty |
liet
In malnutritiOn, there is not only
J lack of some necessary food ele-
1ents but also insufficient blood
iupply. 1t would seem rather easy to
iscover what elements are missing,
upply them and then add the very
ecessary exercise by selecting
rm, hard foods. But emphasis must
e put on the fact that while foods,
xercise, and digestive organs may
{ good and normal, perfect results
'ANNOT be obtained without a pla-
i'd state of mind and a normal ner-
GUS system.
This normal state of mind is
ounded On those subjects covered
y the other members Of the State
Iealth Council, and each subject
Ierges in and harmonizes with ev-
~ other one. So II must be empha-
zed that the best results can be
only by close observance
the adnonitiohs and instructions
each.