112 THE TEETH AND THEIR CARE 



and vitamins in greater quantity than our present refined and rich 

 foods. The coarse foods act like tiny toothbrushes in scratching 

 food particles off the teeth and polishing their surfaces. 



Causes of teeth decay. Other conditions besides lack of indi- 

 vidual care may cause defective teeth. A low resistance of the 

 teeth to decay is frequently caused by some defect in the devel- 

 opment of the individual. For example, some babies have a thin, 

 faulty skeletal development which naturally affects the forming 

 of the teeth. This may be caused by a deficient diet both of 

 the expectant mother and later of the child. The calcification of 

 the temporary teeth and the permanent molars takes place dur- 

 ing the child's prenatal life and if the mother does not get the kind 

 of food that is essential for the development of the teeth of the 

 unborn child, the chances are that its teeth will be defective. 

 Again, if a child's diet lacks vitamin D, it is possible that the 

 proper amount of calcium for forming teeth will not be deposited. 

 Dental attention to the first teeth is often neglected because 

 parents fail to realize the necessity of it or cannot afford the high 

 cost of such care. Frequently, the failure on the part of children 

 to tell their parents of cavities in their teeth-, either because they 

 are too young or because they are afraid of being hurt by the 

 dentist, is the cause of poor teeth. The lack of competent dental 

 facilities in many communities is by no means an infrequent 

 reason for bad teeth. 



Problem. Survey of the condition of the teeth. 



Use a mirror or mirrors to assist you in your survey. 



I. Note your bite by closing the teeth and drawing back the lips. 



A. Describe any malformations such as teeth out of place, upper teeth 

 protruding over lower teeth, or lower teeth extending over upper teeth. 



B. Discuss the importance of having the teeth straightened. 



C. What is the advantage of having an orthodontist (a dentist special- 

 izing in treating irregularities of the teeth) straighten your teeth rather 

 than a regular family dentist ? 



