Why Teeth Decay

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 11, 14 July 1892, Page 4

Why Teeth Decay

_ -» — . The premature decay of the teeth in New Zealand : By Edwin Cox, licentiate in Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of -.-England, ami member of the Odontoloo-ical Society of Great Britain.— Mr Cox has attempted to condense as clearly and practically as may be the facts and suggestions most likely to stimulate and guide parents andothers in tho endeavour to arrest and lesson the lamentable detonation and loss ol the j teeth in this tbe healthiest of colonies* j Mr Cox asks the question, why should the ratio of dental decay— admittedly increasing in England — be so much greater, so accelerated, in New Zealand, whose vital statistics and general sanitary conditions rank it probably the healthiest colony in the world. He adduces some of the probable causes— the climate being more or less enervating compared with the cold, bracing spring and winter of old EnglanO— excessive consumption of flesh meat— excessive smoking-:-abuse of alcoholic drinks. Further the conditions of settlement and- of colonial life in general, are not altogether favourable to the health and permanence of the teeth— rhe injurious habits of colonial yoath, their indulgence in over-stimulating foods and drinks ancl sweetmeats, and other forms of selfgratification. In a word, the widespread decay and premature loss ofthe teetb, Mr Cox contends, are the results of ignorant or wilful violations of natural law. He suggests as counteractives, simple and wholesome lood, professional periodic examination aad treatment of the teeth from 'three years of age upwards, and habitual attention to the cleanliness of the teeth. This little work is carefully and thoughtfully written, and is one which should 1 c in every household, as the teeth question is a very important one.