DECAY OF TEETH IN CHILDREN.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1920, Page 10

DECAY OF TEETH IN CHILDREN.

Article published under tho authority of the Education Department.

Of all problems relating to public health and efficiency the prevention of tin; decay of the teeth is second to itutio in importance. Its onuses may 1m divided into two groups—thosn leading to poor structure, softness, and weak ronUtmuv to decay on the part of the tooth thomselves, and those whicli bring about, conditions in the mouth that are injurious to teeth of even tho most resistive typo. Both sets of causes arc essentially mutters of nutrition and diet, and are mostly preveritible. CAUSES OF DECAY. Tt is the object of this article to call r. rition to some causes of the second group. Decay is immediately duo to tiw fermentation of sugary ami starchy food in the crevices of the teoth. This fermentation gives rise to an acid; and this acid dissolves the lime of tho enamel, and eventually eats through it, exposing the , softer part of the tooth to the germs af decay. As long as the enamel is intact, decay is impossible. Has it been an oversight on the part of Nature that this acid-forming fermentation should take place, and destroy the enamel? No! A study of the function and composition of the saliva dhows that this is not so. THE USE OP THE SALIVA. Healthy saliva has the power of digesting and dissolving and, therefore-, of cleansing from the teefth just that kind of food which undergoes acid fermentation. Both saliva is alkaline, and therefore it neutralises any acid that is formed (before the fermenting food is washed away). These two properties of the saliva, if sufficiently powerful, should effectually prevent decay. Why th».i, does decay occur? The reason is found to a great extent in the foods that WO eat. EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT FOODS ON THE FtOW OF SALIVA. It is found that certain foods have t'lo effect of causing all abundant flow of strongly active saliva—strong in its digestive and cleansing power, mid strong in its anti-acid properties. Others have a reverse effect. Apples and oranges ami other acid fruits arc the most powerful of the former class; the latter consists of most of the more modern, artificially refined and manufactured foodstuffs, which in more ways than one are Undermining the physique and health of civilised peoples. KVILS OF ARTIFICIAL FOODS. Such foods as an over-abundance of sugar, especially in the forms of sweets, chocolate being the most deleterious of thete; blstuits and breads made from white flour; and other over-raflned starchy foods.

All these fools besides checking the of saliva, are paisty, and readily fermentable, quickly giving rise to the destructive lactic acid. Such foods also are deficient in mineral salts, which are essen- ' tial for the building of and teeth, and J® more vital elements of nutrition, - >-sn a 9 vitamines, which play snob # prominent part in healthy growth. THE VALUE OF FRUIT, To correct this checking of the protective action of the saliva more acid fruit such as apples and oranges should be eaten at the close of a meal. An applb, or piece 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 the lines recommended by Professor Pickerill, has a similar effect in stimulating a cleansing How of saliva. It Is very cheap and children like it immensely. In connection with the medical inspection of school children, this mouth wash is being recommended. 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 this Wash, is about to be instituted in all schools throughout the Dominion. It js obtainable in dry form, to be shaken up with water, from all chemists, and an explanatory leaflet, with directions, is pat up with each package. It is used separately, or in conjunction with the brushing of the teeth.

Vital importance of the daub OF THE TEETH. It is a well established fact that there la without •exception no other factor Which directly or indirectly causes so mucit disease and ill-health as decay of the teeth. From the, point of view of appearance and personal attractiveness, of avoiding suffering and deriving greater pleasure from life, as well a 9 for the more urgent reasons of health, a 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.