THE PRESERVATION OF THE TEETH.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2415, 31 December 1881, Page 4

THE PRESERVATION OF THE TEETH.

A lady whose teeth were white and strong and solid and perfect at threescore, said that the only tooth powder the used in girlhood was briokduat at long intervals. A distinguished dentist recently wrote that he is frequently astonished to hear persons who have sound teeth and firm gums otate with some shamefacedness that they had never uood a toothbrush, but had simply rinsed their teeth well with water after each meal. No animal or vegetable subolanoo can commence formentivo decay in the short interval between the three daily meals ; and then the eating of each sucoeesivo meal dislodges what may have been left at the last preceding ; but if any is left after euppor it will commence becoming aoid before breakfast next morning ; hence, tho teeth should be most carefully cleaned immediately after the last meal of tho day, which can bo best done by dipping a moderately stiff brush, applying it well to the lops and tides, front and rear, twisting the brush up and down, so that each bristle shall beoome a toothpick applied to tho adjoining to mako any lodgment impossible ; two mornings in tho week apply the brush after it had been rubbed over white soap. This will antagonize any aoid whioh might have been present. These uses of the brush, with the rinsings after each meal, with a whitening with some safe powder, as pulverised charcoal, once a month, is aufiiciont for ordinary cases ; but a good dentist should examine each tooth twice a year until twentyfive, and annually thereafter.