SCHOOL DENTAL EDUCATION

Taihape Daily Times, 18 June 1918, Page 6

SCHOOL DENTAL EDUCATION

MR. MILNER'S ARTICLE (Concluded.) THE DUTY OF THE TEACHER Teachers should make their pupils thoroughly realise the necessity of oral hygiene. Dental cares is entirely due to outside agents. The mouth is en ideal hatching chamber for bacterial growth. Professor Miller has separated out over 100 different forms of miero-organisms which flourish in the mouth, and it has been estimated ■ that of these we have on the average five millions each. Particles of starchy food caught in the interstices of the teeth undergo acid fermentation owing to the rapid development of the bacteria which batten on them'. ■ The resultant acid of decay attacks and decalcifies the minute rods of •which the enamel of the teeth is composed. As the hard lime salts melt away before the acid, it pehetrates into the dentine below, liquefying and discolouring it, and contiuning its laneful work until the pulp cavity is leached and infected. It must be emphasised that when the pulp cavity is reached the most suitable time for stopping has gone. Any schoolmaster may recognise the stage of septic infection in children as evidenced by foetid breath, sallow complexion and general debility. A hideous train ■ of disaster is the direct result of infection of the pulp chamber. The pus which collects there, owing to the pressure of fermentation, must find an ©utlet along the line of least resistance. Hence, after diffusion into the Jtxxyth sock eft, it <diseharg*es through the gum' into the mouth as a gum boil, i This septic infection - then, mixes with. the saliva and is swallowed and may cause severe intestinal trouble, including appendicitis. AN IMPORTANT PHASE.

One point of importance that should not be forgotten is that the first permanent molars appear at six years of age before the temporary incisors disappear. These first permanent are frequently mistaken for temporary teeth, and are allowed to become hopelessly decayed before advice is sought. Then ,again, the growth oFpermanent teeth is often directed wrongly through the; retention of temporary teeth. If the first set of teeth are kept from decay, nature provides for the absorption of their roots at the proper time, but if their pulp cavities "become infected their roots are not absorbed and the teeth remain to obstruct the growth of their permanent successors. Again, as the permanent canines are set very deep down in their crypts in the jaw it is necessary for the temporary canines to be retained for 'heir due time, otherwise the space for their successors is not "kept open, and the bicuspids then force the permanent canines out obliquely through the gums. This lack of alignment often causes a hideous tusk-like disfigurement. Education on these points can do a lot to safeguard children's teeth. BIGID CLEANLINESS IMPERATIVE Above all, the necessity of rigid cleanliness must be insisted upon. There is no reason why primary •school children should not be taught a tothbrush ~~3rill. The children . must grasp the necessity of having clean mouths. The teeth should be carefully cleaned before going to bed. If only one application of the brush day can be secured, let that be the last thing of the day before retirement to bed. If such a germicide as Kolynos cannot be afforded, some precipitated chalk will be found a cheap and effective dentifrice. The eating of chocolate, sweets, soft biscuits, or indeed any farinaceous food before bed-time ,unless followed by rigorous aplication of the tooth brush, is fatal. On the other hand, apples exercise a wonderfully cleasing effect. In the actual brushing care must be taken that every surface of the teeth receive attention. Effective work can be done only if the brush is swept from the gums to the cutting edge of the teeth so as to dislodge all particles of food resting in the interstl«c®s; A g?°d additional preventive of Nfecay is the use of a strand of silk about eight or 10 inches long for passing to and fro between the say, once a week. This requires some digital dexterity for its manipulation, but -will be found to Tepay the trouble handsomely. Any teacher who makes it his duty to insist on the dental cleanliness of his pupils will confer on the young generation lasting physical advantages, sweeten the atmosphere of his class-room, reduce nervous irritability, and by his example help towards the establishment of proper (dental inspection and the institution of proper dental cliDics in" our schools.

FLYING ACCIDENTS.

STEEPLE DEMOLISHED AND PILOT KILLED. An alarming flying accident occurJ red at St. Ives, Hunts, when an airman crashed into the steeple of the parish church. The upper part of the steeple was demolished and the masonry fell with the machine and airman through the roof of the building. The pilot was killed. Lieutenant Sadler was flying to north-west London, when he experienced engine trouble and had to come down in a meadow near Acton. ~A boy employed as a mechanic in an aerodrome went to the aviator's assistance. There was Some difficulty in re-starting the machine, but suddenly the propeller flew round and struck the lad on the head. He died almost immediately. A third accident was at Shenley, Herts, where Lieutenant M. W. Doyle fell from a height of 300 ft and was killed. Lieutenant Doyle was 25 years of age.