PREVENTION OF DECAY OF TEETH.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1924, Page 4

PREVENTION OF DECAY OF TEETH.

(Leaflet for the use of parents, issued by the Council of tho Society of Medical Officers ol Health, England.)

Decay of the teeth is caused by the fermentation of food that sticks on or between the teeth after meals. Acid is formed from the food, and this acid eats a hole into the teeth. It is only the “starchy” and “sugary” foods (see below) that forms acid in the mouth. It is most important- that the jaws .should be well-grown and the teeth regulai. This is brought about by breathing through the nose from birth onwards and by chewing and gnawing. If the jaws are small and the teeth overcrowded, mastication (chewing) cannot be properly performed, and the food will ho left clinging to the teeth after meals and the teeth will decay. In older that the jaws and teeth shall grow properly and the teeth kept clean and free from decay, you should observe the following rules:— (1) As soon as an infant needs food other than milk (8 to i) months) give it in a solid form, such as crusty bread, twice baked bread, or crisp toast, thus compelling masfieufion. Do not give bread soaked in milk or milk thickened with (lour or other starchy foods, such as most patent- foods. Encourage th ' child to chew ami see that it. breathes through its nose. In these ways good habits of mastication will be formed.

(2) As the child grows up you should still give "most of the food in a solid form, compelling mastication. Food, other than milk, should rarely he taken in liquid form. Vegetables and meat should not be minced and soaked in gravy. Bread should not. be eaten new, and it- should have plenty of good firm crust.

(3) After the first two or three years of life the child should have three meals a’day and no food between.

(4) It is not advisable to drink at. meal times, but plenty of water should be taken between meals. Milk is a food and should only be taken at meal times, and must be followed by a tooth cleansing food. (5) All meals should he finished with a cleansing food (sec below). (0) Sweets, chocolates, and biscuits are very harmful to the teeth if taken tho last thing at night. They should only he taken at meal times, and should be foil wed l>y a cleansing food. The custom of giving milk ami biscuits the last thing at night should not be allowed.

(7) Correct feeding and chewing are the best means’of preventing decay of the teeth, though the intelligent use of the tooth-brush will be found helpful. If decay of the teeth or tenderness of the gums is noticed, the child should be taken to a dentist. Such conditions prevent mastication and bring about further decay. It is important for the sake of the child that the nursing am expectant mother should also go to the dentist if her teeth are in a bad condition. EXAMPLES OF FOOD REFERRED TO ABOVE. Starchy foods; Potatoes, rice, tapioca, sago, biscuits, etc., oatmeal, porridge, most patent foods. Sugary foods: All foods to which sugar is added, sweets of all kinds, honey, syrup, jams, marmalade, milk. Tooth cleansing foods: Fresli fruits, apples, oranges, nuts, raw vegetables, lettuce, watercress, celery, radishes, onions, crusts of bread (the coarse wholemeal flour is best for tlii3 purpose). crisp toast, twice-baked bread, meat, fish bacon.