CHILDREN’S TEETH.
DIET ALL-IMPORTANT,
The imirortance of the care of children’s teeth from the appearance of the very first tooth hardly needs emphasis. But while the need of such care is generally recognised, the important part played in this respect by the food eaten is not so universally realised. It has been established that the cause of decay is the presence in the mouth of an acid which gradually wears through the enamel and the under layers of the tooth. This acid is one of the by-pro-ducts which certain bacteria form in the mouth when they increase and multiply, which they do by feeding on the debris of certain kinds of foods. These acid-fonning foods arc chiefly those of a sweet and starchy nature. It is essential, therefore, to keep the mouth as free as possible from sweet or starchy particles of food. It is also equally important, as a safeguard to the tc'cth, to promote a strong flow of highly alkaline saliva by a correct choice and sequence of foods at mealtime. The alkaline saliva will tkus neutralise the acid which is in the mouth. Saliva is nature’s own antiacid mouth wash, and is more efficient as a guardian of the teeth than any toothbrush or artiiical mouth-wash. It keeps up a continuous rinsing of the mouth night and day, if sufficient in amount and quality. A child’s diet should therefore be planned with a view of including the right kinds of food to promote a full flow of saliva, with which acids may be neutralised. It is a curious fact that the foods which produce the most highly alklaine saliva are the fruits and vegetables which in themselves contain a largo amount of natural acids, such as the orange, lemon, pine apple, parsnip, potato, etc. The acid in the fruit, however, acts as a stimulant to increase the output of the sensitive salivary glands, which continue to flow profusely long after the fruit has been swallowed, and is capable of enuroly neutralising the acids which caused the fluids to flow. There are certain foods which have an opposite effect, am] since they do not produce the protective alkaline neutraliser arc dangerous to the teeth unless eaten in combination with acid foods or followed by them. These foods are chocolate, biscuits,
pastry, bread, milk, dates, sugar, rice, and kgs. Fortunately, at a meal most or tnese roods are instinctivelly combined acid foods. It is most important, however, to femember that it is tnja last thing eaten which chiefly determines the nature of the after-flow of saliva. Fruit is introduced into the nursery basket menu in most households, but whereas fruit proceeding porridge will not protect thjs teeth, acid fruit following the porridge course will eifectually rinse the mouth, and counteract the acid-forming tendency of any particles of sugar or porridge which may remain therm. It is a safe rule, theipfore, to finish a nursery meal with an apple or some other fruit, raw if possible. Pineappio is most valuable for this purpose.
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Shannon News, 15 February 1924, Page 3
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503CHILDREN’S TEETH. Shannon News, 15 February 1924, Page 3
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