PREVENTION OF DECAY IN TEETH.

Shannon News, 8 April 1924, Page 3

PREVENTION OF DECAY IN TEETH.

(Leaflet for the use of Parents, issued by the Council of the Society of. Medical Officers of 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 form acid in the mouth. '

It is most - important that tlip jaws should be well grown and the teeth regular. 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, matication (chewing) cannot be properly performed, and the food will bo left clinging to the teeth after meals and the teeth will decay. In order that the jaws and teeth shall grow properly and the tepth 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 9 months) give it in a solid form, such as crusty bread, twice bakeu bread, or crisp toast, thus compelling mastication. Do not gife bread soaked in milk or milk thickened with flour or other starchy foods, .such as most patent fdods. Encourage the child to clicw and 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 thp food in a solu form, compelling mastication. Food, other than milk, should rarely be taken in liquid form. Vegetables and meat should not bo minced and soaked in gravy. Bread should not bo eaten new, and it should have ’plpnty of good Arm crust.

(3) After the first two or-three years of life .the child should have three meals a day a.iu no food between. (4) It is not advisable to drink at meal times, but plenty of wafer should be taken between meals. Milk is a food and should only be taken at meai times, and must be followed by a toothcleansing food. (5) All meals should be finished with a cleansing food (see below). (6) Sweets, chocolates, and biscuits are very harmful to the teeth if taken the last thing at night. They should only be taken at meal times, and should be followed by a cleansing food. The custom of giving milk and biscuits the last thing at night should not be allowed.

(7) Correct feeding, and chewing nre the best means of y reVenting decay of the teeth, through the intelligent use of the toothbrush .will be found helpful.

If tjie .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 and 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: Fresh fruit, apples, oranges, nuts, raw vegetables, lettuce, watercress, celery, radishes, onions, crusts of bread (the course wholemeal flour is best for this purpose), crisp toast., twice-baked bread, meat, fish, bacon,