Health of the Children.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3620, 5 November 1920, Page 6

Health of the Children.

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE TEETH. (Published under the authority of the Education Department.) It is the object of this article to correct some erroneous opinions prevalent amongst parents concerning children's teeth. It is commonly assumed that the first set; 'of teeth' are of little importance, as they are replaced by i the second Set, and also that it is necessary for them to decay in order j to make room for the permanent set. i On the contrary, the first set arc relatively more important. They are in

use during a period of life when growth is active and the constitution is being built up, when healthy nutrition and adequate mastication in a clean mouth, are so essential. It is more important to have a complete sound set of teeth during this period than at any other in the life of the individual.

Nature's method is that each tooth of the first set gradually loses its roots, "which are absorbed by the pressure of the permanent tooth coming up beneath it. The first tooth being left without a root becomes loose and painlessly shells off the gum. When these teeth decay early their roots not being absorbed in this way extraction may be necessary. It is unnatural for... .the last teeth to decay. That .they do so is in a large measure due to the errors of diet which have been set forth in previous articles of this series. When they do decay theyHhould receive care- j ful attention from a tentist. „ I

A third error —and one of serious consequence—is that four large grinder or molar teeth which come through at about 6 years of age are temporaryteeth, and belong to the first set. They are in consequence frequently neglected . and allowed to decay in the, belief that they will soon be replaced by others. The first set of teeth, 10 in each jaw, have all come through by the age of two years, or a little later. These large grinders of which we speak appear one at each side behind the first set in each jaw. 'They do not displace any of the teeth of the first set. They come through about the same time as the front teeth, of the first set are coming out. They take the brunt of the work of mastication and act as buttresses or outposts in the developing jaw while the teeth of the first set are "oeing shed and replaced by their successors. The importance of taking every precaution to preserve these sixth year permanent grinders cannot be over-estimated. I