110 



THE TEETH AND THEIR CARE 



by dissolving a half teaspoonful of salt in a glass of warm water. 

 Fruit acids such as dilute lemon juice or vinegar should be used 

 occasionally. If food lodges between teeth, it should be removed 

 by dental floss. A metallic toothpick or pin should never be used 

 as it may chip or crack the enamel. Wooden toothpicks should 

 also be avoided as they tend $o cut and irritate the gums. Silk 

 thread is not an adequate substitute for dental floss because it is 

 not sterile and it may cut the gums. 



Periodical visits to the dentist. In spite of the best care, the 

 tartar cannot be entirely removed from the teeth with a brush. 

 The bacteria which are held in the soft tartar will probably 

 decay the food left in the teeth. Sometimes the fermenting of 

 sugar between the teeth and the acids formed by bacteria will 

 dissolve the enamel, causing soft spots or tiny cavities in the teeth. 

 The soft dentine is then exposed to the decay action of the bac- 

 teria. Once a year, at least, a visit should be made to the dentist 

 for the purpose of having the teeth cleaned and any small cavi- 



By skillful dental attention, projecting incisors of the upper jaw can be made to 

 articulate, that is, meet the lower jaw. 



ties detected and filled before they seriously weaken the teeth. 

 When accumulated tartar remains on the teeth, the gums may 



