118 NATL'RE STUDY REVIEW [8 ::]— Mar., 1912 



dren artificially fed lack in general resisting powers, sufifer from 

 nutritional disturbances and do not always get a sufficient amount 

 of lime in their food necessary to the proper growth and 

 quality of the teeth. Rubber nipple, pacifiers and thumb sucking 

 should be prohibited. During teething nothing is necessary but 

 regular feeding, plenty of water, enough sleep and plenty of 

 fresh air. Rubbing of the child's gums or any other manipula- 

 tion in the mouth will only irritate the child and is not productive 

 of any good. The lancing of the gums to facilitate the eruption 

 of the teeth should not be practiced. It only results in increased 

 pain and possible infection. The lesson of cleanliness should be 

 taught early. The proper use of the tooth brush morning and 

 evening should form a part of the daily life of the child. The 

 mouth should always be kept free from food particles. Children 

 should undergo a dental examination twice a year. The milk 

 teeth during their stay in the mouth are just as important as the 

 permanent teeth, and they are not any more likely to deteriorate 

 and decay if properly cared for. They should on no account 

 be sacrificed at the least annoyance brought on by uncleanliness. 

 The irritation should be removed and the teeth retained until the 

 permanent teeth are ready to appear. If they are extracted be- 

 fore that time the space for the permanent teeth is encroached 

 upon and when one does appear it cannot take its proper place, 

 there is no room for it to join its fellows in regular line and is 

 pushed aside, and so spoils the symmetry of the teeth and thus the 

 tooth is considerably weakened and not of as much use as it 

 should be. A part of the child's education for the preservation 

 of the teeth is to teach it to properly chew its food and to accus- 

 tom the teeth to coarser foods, which results in a better blood 

 supply, tending to make stronger, sharper teeth which are less 

 likely to decay. At this period all of the other physical hind- 

 rances, such as enlarged tonsils, adenoids, nasal obstructions, 

 hair-lip, etc.. should be eliminated so as to insure the proper 

 growth of the teeth. If children fear the doctor the dentist 

 is doubly dreaded. Wise parents will implant no such fear in 

 their children's minds. Frequent visits to the dentist for the 

 purpose of inspecting and cleaning the teeth, and to fill in a cavity 

 that may have formed should be made. If a milk tooth is de- 

 cayed beyond repair and becomes a menace to the health of the 

 child, or persists beyond its natural time, interfering with the 

 appearance of the permanent tooth, it should be extracted. A 

 very important thing to remember in this connection is that the 

 first permanent molar, or grinder, the sixth tooth from the center 



