DECAY OF TEETH IN CHILDREN.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 14 June 1920, Page 4

DECAY OF TEETH IN CHILDREN.

• ♦ Article published. under tlic autliority of the Education Department. Of all problems relating to public ] health and efficiency tile prevention of t ihe decay of the teeth is second to i none in importance. Its causes may be i 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 cring about conditions in the mouth . ihat are injurious to teeth of even the most resistive type. Both sets of ause.s are essentially matters of nutrition and diet, and are mostly preventiblc. Causes of Decay. it is the object of this article to call attention to some causes of the second .roup. Decay is immediately due to ho fermentation of starchy and sugar} food in the crevices of the teeth. This fermentation gives rise to an acid, and iiis acid dissolves the lime of the enamel, and eventually cats through it. .■.-. posing the softer parts of the tooth ,o germs of decay/ As long as the iiaiuel is intact, decay is impossible, das it been an oversight on the part „f future that this acid-forming fermentation should take place and do - £ troy the enamel.’ No! A study of the function and composition ot the saliva shows that this is not so. The Use of the Saliva. Healthy saliva has the power o' digesting and dissolving and. therefor* „C demising from the teeth just Ilia* kind of food which undergoes acid foi | mentation. Such saliva is alkaline, am i therefore at imu-i- non! ralises any a*-i*i ' | ,|,at is formed /before the frrmentine | js washed awnyh These two pro • .....lies of the saliva, if sufficient b • j.iiwerf ul, siiouhl ually prevent *tueav. Why ilmn. does dreav oeeur .’ ; In- reason is t'oitiol to a great extent .. in the foods we cut. Directs ot Different roods on the Flov of Saliva. ,i || is found that certain foods hav’ , |i*e effect of causing tin abundant" flow , strongly active saliva--strong i''j ns digestive ami idealising power, am l j strong in its anti-aciil prepertie ; Others have ar* " *’i <H«> t. Apple I and oranges and other acid trails .*>' : the most pdueiTul of the former clas : jj the latter tOusiMs ot ntoM of the more j modern, artificially relined and maim 3 factored food stuffs, which in more ways than one are undermining the ! physique and health of civilised peoples. Evil;; of Artificial Foods. • Such foods arc an over-abundance of J '.gar, especially, in the form of sweets, j chocolate being i ho most deleterious of these; biscuits and breads made from white flour: and other over-reliued starchy foods. All those foods besides (kecking the flow of saliva, are pasty, and readily slick to the teeth, ami at the same time are easily fermentable, quickly giving rise to the destructive lactic acid. Such foods also arc deficient in mineral salts, which are essential for the building ot bones ami teeth, and in the more vital elements of mention, known as vitamines. which play such a prominent part in healthy growth. The Value of Fruit. To correct this cheeking of tlic protective action of the saliva more acid fruit such at- apples and oranges should be eaten at the close of a meal. An apple, or pityo of apple, eaten at the end of a meal causes a copious flow of strongly 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 artificial form of orange juice, on tlic lines recommended by Professor Pickeritl, has a similar effect in stimulating a cleansing flow of saliva. It is very cheap and children like it immensely. In connect ion v, ith the medical inspection of school children this mouth wash is being recommended, j Fruit, it must not be forgotten, has other valuable properties as a food besides its cleansing effect in the mouth. Tooth Brush Drill in the Schools. Tooth brush drill, combined with the use of this wa-h. is about to be instituted in all schools throughout the Dominion, it is obtainable in dry form. to be shaken up witu 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 tact that there is without exception no other factor which directly and indirectly causes so much disease and iii-hcatth as decay of the teeth. From the point of view of appearance an*T personal attractiveness, or avoiding suffering and deriving greater pleasure from life, as w, 11 . • for the j more urgent reasons of health, a I healthy mouth is without exception the most valuable asset a person can ever possess. Parents can assist greatly to this very desirable end by seeing that full effect is given to the above suggestions.