DECAY OF TEETH IN CHILDREN

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2139, 12 June 1920, Page 1

DECAY OF TEETH IN CHILDREN

(Article published'under the authority of the Education Depart- ' ment.) !

Of all problems relating to public health and efficiency, the prevention of the decay of the teeth is second to none in importance. Its causes may be divided into two groups—those leading to poor structure, softness, and weak resistance. to decay on the part of the teeth themselves, and those which bring about conditions in the mouth that are injurious to teeth of even the most resistive typo. Both sets of causes are essentially matters of nutrition and diet, and are mostly prevent ible. CAUSES OF DECAY. It is the object of this article to call attention to "some causes of the second group. Decay is immediately due to the fermentation of starchy and sugary food in the crevices of (he teeth. This fermentation gives rise to an acid, and this acid dissolves the lime of the enamel, and eventually eats through it, exposing the softer parts ,of the tooth to germs of decay. As long as the enamel is intact,, decay is impossible. Has it been an oversight on the part of Nature that this acid-forming fermentation should lake place and destroy the enamel? No! A study of the function and comnosilion of the saliva shows that litis is not so. THE USE OF THE SALIVA. Healthy saliva hits the power of digesting and dissolving, and therefore, of (deansing; from the teeth just that kind of food which undergoes acid fermentation. Such saliva is alkaline, and therefore at once neutralises any acid that is formed (before the fermenting food is washed away). These two properties of the saliva, if sufficiently powerful, should effectually prevent decay. Why, then, does decay occur? The reason is found to a great extent in the foods we eat.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT FOODS ON THE FLOW OF SALIVA.

It is found that certain foods have the effect of causing an abundant How of strongly active saliva—strong in its digestive and cleansing power, and strong in its anti-acid •properties. Others have a reverse effect. Apples and oranges, and other acid fruits are the,most powerful of (ho former class; the la. Her consists-of most of the more, modern, artificially refined and manufactured foods In ft’s, which in more ways than one are undermining the physique ami health of civilised peoples.

EVILS OF ARTIFICIAL FOODS

Such foods are an over-abund-ance of sugar, especially in the form of Mveels, chocolate being the most deleterious of these; hi-euits and breads made from while Hour; and other ovor-relined starchv foods.

All these foods, besides checking the How of saliva, are pasty, and readily stick to the teeth, and at the same time are easily fermentable, quickly giving' rise to the destructive lactic acid. Such foods also, are deficient in mineral salts, which are essential for the building of bones and teeth, and in the more vital elements of nutrition, known as vitamines, which piny such a prominent part in healthy growth, THE VALUE OF FRUIT! To correct this checking of the protective action of the saliva more acid fruit such as apples and oranges should be’eaten at the close of a meal. An apple, or piece of npplcj eaten at the end of a meal causes a copious flow of strong and active saliva. - Fruit, however, is to .many, especially to those with large families who most require it,,a food of prohibitive expense. THE FRUIT ACID MOUTH WASH. A fruit-acid mouth wash, an artitidal form of orange juice, on the lines recommended by Professor Pickerill, has a similar effect in stimulating a cleansing flow of saliva. It is very cheap, and children like it immensely. In connection with the medical inspection of school children, this mouth wash is being recommended. Fruit, it must not be forgotten,, has other valuable properties as a food besides its cleansing effect in the mouth. TOOTH-BRUSH DRILL IX THE SCHOOLS. Tooth-brush drill, combined with the use of this wash, is about to be instituted in all schools throughout the. Dominion. It is obtainable in dry form, to be shaken up with water, from all chemists, and an explanatory leaflet with directions is put up with each.package. It is used separately, or in conjunction with the brushing of the teeth. VITAL IMPORTANCE OF THE CARE OF THE TEETH. It is a well established fact that

there is without exception no other factor which directly and indirectly causes so much disease and illhealth as decay of the teeth. From (lie point of view of appearance and personal attractiveness, of avoiding suffering and deriving greater pleasure from life, as well as for the more urgent reasons of health, a healthy mouth is without exception the most valuable asset a person can over possess. Parents can assist greatly to this very desirable end by seeing that full effect is given to the above suggestions.