DECAY OF TEETH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 March 1939, Page 7

DECAY OF TEETH

f SUBTLE AND UNKNOWN FORCES AT WORK. ‘ WHY CARE IS'NEEDED. There must be something wrong I with our mode of living, because tooth] decay is so common, writes Dr Irv-1 ing Cutter in the “Chicago Tribune.” It is a strange anomaly that the hardest tissue in the body—the enamel—which covers and protects these structures will yield so readily to subtle but unknown forces. Every other part of the body may be functioning at par when—lo, and behold—one tooth after another will give way. „ Bad teeth are not only a source of discomfort —nuisances of the first water—but they may endanger health —even life. Because there are so many nooks and cranniqs about them where organisms may hide and produce pus, they present a constant menace. At any given moment —unless every tusk is clean and free from infection —the situation within the mouth may be as dangerous potentially as an attack of pneumonia or typhoid fever. Most children when they arc a year old have six or eight teeth, 16 when they are a year and a-half, and the full set of 20 at two and a-half. Between the fifth and seven milestones and seven year molars make their appearance. Thereafter the baby ones begin to drop out and are replaced by the permanent set. WHAT DOES DECAY MEAN? What do we mean by decay? Merely solution or disintegration of the bony material, including the tissues ol the pulp. But when one asks why, no positive answer is ■ forthcoming. The chances are that there are many fac' tors, some of which may be related to the endocrine glands, others to bacteria, still others to dietary elements such as vitamins. Assuming that thy tooth is normal when it erupts, it should not decay. But a perfectly clean molar may do so and sometimes the agents of destruction and erosion will attack one that looks perfect more quickly than one that is badly stained, possibly inhabiting a foul mouth. . . There was a time when hygienists taught that starches and, sugars were primarily responsible, due to the fermentation of these substances with the production of organic acids. But there is far more to the subject than this. Persuaded by the slogan, “acid mouth," miiny persons will suck alkaline lozenges all day long, much to the consternation of the gastric juice air. with no advantage to the teeth. No matter what is done, what precautions are adopted, caries may come just the same. , This does not mean that a clean oia< cavity is not desirable —far front it. But the answer to our problem does not lie in this situation alone. One fact is fully established— namely, that vitamin D and a reasonable supply oi phosphorus and calcium are neccssarj to the formation of stout ivories. MUST BE MAINTAINED, Furthermore, these elements must be maintained—not excessively, howeve!—throughout life. As is well known the chewing apparatus starts deyelopin°’ long before birth, and this is the reason that the menu of the prospective mother must contain all of the bone ( : building elements. Perhaps the fault occurs in early infancy if milk rnot assimilated, if a sufficient quanti y of phosphorus and calcium are pot to be had, or if vitamin D—essential for their distribution and assimilation is absent. . We cannot look upon the fust set as unimportant. If microbes are allowed to grow about them, if gums are allowed to became soft, to harbour pus pockets, if cavities are untreated, the same injury to health may occur ai with an adult. Mdny a case of acute rheumatic fever and resulting hear, disease has been traced to extensive bacterial colonies within these childhood molars. Furthermore, the Position of the permanent followers and then condition and strength depend in large measure upon the care that is given their predecessors. We can add materially to our national health bank deposits by taking every child —as soon as the first set has erupted—to a skilled dentist. Two visits a year will safeguard growth. There is just as much need for the practice of preventive dentistry as there is of preventive medicine.

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