THE TEETH.
Few boys and girls take proper care of their teeth. All of us admire a
set of strong, sound, even, white teeth, and those who do not have such,
will tell how sorry they are because in youth they were so careless that
their teeth were ruined.
The teeth should be carefully cleaned each morning before breakfast.
This is best done with a good brush, Castile soap, and lukewarm water.
Use none of the numerous tooth-powders sold, and never pick your teeth
with a metallic substance. Quill, wooden, or ivory tooth-picks only
should be employed.
When the brush does not remove the stains from the teeth, the soft end
of a small stick, covered with powdered charcoal will answer, though it
should not be used often.
INJURIES TO THE TEETH.
Very hot or cold food, or water, sweetmeats and acids injure the teeth.
Children sometimes like to show the strength of their teeth by cracking
hickory-nuts and other hard substances. This should never be done, as
the nuts and substances may prove stronger than the teeth. The teeth are
made of a soft kind of bone, covered with enamel. The bone part of the
teeth soon decays if the enamel is broken.
TWO SETS OF TEETH.
The first set of teeth, twenty in number, gradually become loose after a
child is five or six years old, and the second set, thirty-two in
number, crowds after them. The second are the teeth which are meant to
last all our life-time, and they should be guarded, therefore, with the
utmost care.
Sometimes the second teeth crowd so closely that the first become wedged
in place. The old tooth should be removed, just as soon as the second
can be discovered pushing after it. If this is not done, the mouth will
be filled with crooked and unsightly teeth.
[Illustration:
THE PRINCIPAL TEETH.]
The mother or father of any boy or girl will readily draw a loose tooth,
by means of a looped thread. Often, however, a brave child will pull his
own teeth, without help. Be on the watch and clear the way for the
second teeth. If you don't you will be sorry all your life.
Some children have poorer teeth than others, and the utmost care will
not save them from decay. When the first speck appears, go to the
dentist. Dentistry has made such improvements during the last few years,
that the poorest teeth can be made to last a long time.
* * * * *
What is said of boys and girls?
When and how often should the teeth be cleaned? What should be used
for that purpose? What is said of tooth-powders and tooth-picks?
How may stains be removed from the teeth?
What substances injure the teeth? What about cracking nuts and other
hard substances with the teeth?
How many teeth has a child? A man? When do the second teeth begin to
appear? How long is it intended they should last?
What sometimes takes place? What should be done? What will follow if
this advice is not heeded?
How are loose teeth generally pulled? Have you ever known of a boy
or girl pulling his or her own teeth? What must you watch for and
do? Is there any need of such care?
What is said of some children? When should you go to the dentist?
[Illustration:
MUSCLES.]