120 NATURE STUDY REVIEW [8:3— Mar., 1912 



popular education by every means possible — through the press, 

 through the pulpit, emanating from the school and through per- 

 sonal effort. With this end in view, the various boards of health 

 issue circulars of information pertaining to the teeth, to the 

 parents, using the children as disseminators of information on 

 the subject. 



LEAFLET ON THE CARE OF THE TEETH SUPPLIED TO THE CHILDREN, 

 NEW BEDFORD, MASS. 



What are the teeth for? 



Not merely for ornament. Their chief use is to prepare the 

 food for the stomach — to grind the food and mix it with 

 saliva. Food which is not thoroughly chewed causes indi- 

 gestion and constipation. 



How long should the teeth last? 

 To the end of life. 



How do we lose them? 



By decay and loosening. 



What causes teeth to decay? 



. Bits of food and candy sticking to the teeth ; also a poor 

 physical condition. 



Where does the food lodge? 



All along the edge of the gums, between the teeth, and in 

 the crevices of the grinding surfaces. 



Can decay be prevented? 

 Yes, to a large extent. 



How can decay be prevented? 



By scrubbing the teeth thoroughly with a tooth brush, tooth- 

 powder and water ; and by keeping up the general health. 



How often should the teeth be cleaned? 



At least twice a day — after breakfast and at bed time. Bet- 

 ter after each meal. 



How often should tooth-powder be used? 

 At least once a day — at bed time. 

 Twice a year at least a dentist should carefully examine the 



teeth. 



A bad condition of the throat, the nose, and the ears is 



made worse by decayed teeth. They add to the chances of catch- 

 ing infectious diseases. Well cared for teeth and a clean nHouth 



help prevent TUBERCULOSIS. 



Cleanliness is the best guard against disease. 



ECONOMICS OF THE TOOTH PROBLEM. 



Dr. Gulick makes the statement that two bad teeth in a 



