IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL ATTENTION
_Periodical Examinations._ Mouth hygiene is a regular daily routine, as
much so as washing the face and hands, and faithful attention to this
requirement is not only an index of personal cleanliness, but a means
of prolonging the health and usefulness of the teeth, and contributing
to the physical well-being generally.
This daily practice, however, should be supplemented by regular,
periodical dental examinations, at least every six months with the
average person. If the teeth are below par, and contain many fillings,
or much other dental work, it may be advisable to have the teeth
inspected oftener.
The advantages of keeping the teeth intact, or preventing further
damage when inroads have already been made upon the dental economy, and
the dangers involved in infected teeth and gums, have been so fully
covered already that it is unnecessary to elaborate upon the subject
here.
It is decidedly to every individual’s advantage to adhere religiously
to the policy of regular, periodical examinations. Do not for a moment
deceive yourself into thinking that you are saving money by neglecting
this requirement.
If the examination shows that no fillings or other operative treatment
are needed, then you have the keen satisfaction of knowing that your
teeth are in good condition. If some slight specks or small cavities
are detected, they can be filled without much trouble, pain or expense,
and you have forestalled a bigger and more painful job, and perhaps
saved the tooth many more years of service by timely attention.
In any event, the expense is always minimized by having the teeth
examined regularly, and receiving prompt treatment when they show the
first signs of decay, or when a piece of tooth breaks off, or any other
dental problem presents itself.
To reiterate, save your health, your teeth, and your money by
_periodical dental examinations_.
DENTAL CARE FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS
The expectant mother, in particular, should be careful of her teeth
from the very beginning of pregnancy. We have already emphasized the
importance of diet, and made various recommendations in this respect.
However, tooth decay and acute abscesses are especially liable to occur
at this time, if there is the least deficiency in the normal tooth
structure or inadequacy in the diet.
Because of the demands upon the expectant mother’s physical resources
and vitality--a latent infection or other predisposition to dental
trouble only too often results in quick decay, tooth-aches, abscesses
and a general undermining of the health of the teeth.
Infected teeth should be extracted, cavities filled, and the mouth and
gums kept in a healthy state.
X-RAY EXAMINATIONS
While we have spoken of the normal, clinical examinations of the teeth,
it is always important to mention the possible desirability of X-ray
examinations. Teeth should be X-rayed by a dentist, or sent to an X-ray
laboratory only upon his advice. It is a mistake to go to commercial
X-ray laboratories for diagnoses.
No matter how placid the gums and teeth may look, or how free from
pain, there is no way of discovering the condition beneath the
surface except by an X-ray picture. If the teeth contain any large
fillings, pulpless teeth, crowns, bridgework, etc., even if there is
no inflammation or unpleasant sensation, one should have the teeth
X-rayed. This is especially true if there are any general physical
disabilities which may come from a focal infection.
The X-ray picture will show a great amount of detail of the subsurface
structure, and the condition of the various parts. It will show whether
there is any infection at the root end of the tooth, and whether or
not there are pus pockets at the side. It will also disclose whether
a tooth has a root-canal filling, and whether or not this filling is
perfect. Leaky fillings, overhanging gold crowns and other defects can
likewise be detected.
The X-ray exposes faulty dental work, as well as pathological
conditions of the mouth and jaw.
It is particularly important to have a thorough X-ray examination if
one has any “dead” or pulpless teeth (from which the nerve has been
removed). In the light of modern, antiseptic dentistry, these members
are suspicious characters, and should be closely watched, even if
apparently giving no trouble. The disadvantages of pulpless teeth
as a hidden menace to health may far outweigh their advantages for
mastication.
Another advantage of the X-ray is that, if dental trouble cannot
definitely be located, so that the source of the disturbance may be in
either one of two or more teeth, it can be traced by this method. This
enables the dentist to make an accurate diagnosis. Many mistakes in
treatment can be avoided by the use of the X-ray at a great saving to
the patient of both trouble and expense.
There is no question that many sound, or comparatively good teeth,
have been pulled in the case of vague, indefinite tooth-aches, and
swellings--often at the insistence of the patient himself--only to be
found that the trouble remained undiminished.
Dr. Eugene Lyman Fisk, Director of Hygiene of the Life Extension
Institute, New York, has given a striking example of the benefits to be
derived from an X-ray examination, with proper treatment as shown to be
required by the diagnosis, in the following paragraph:
“Perhaps the most essential feature of the periodic examination is
the X-ray, without which the discovery of some sources of physical
impairment would be impossible. An instance of its value is the story
of a man who was suffering from rheumatism and cystitis. He had severe
pain and had lost weight very much before coming to the Laboratory.
During the examination it was discovered that, although most of his
teeth were gone, he had still about half a dozen, all of which were
loose, and he wore a plate. An X-ray of his teeth showed that all of
them were abscessed, which caused a continuous drainage of poison into
the system. He was advised to have his teeth out. A few days afterwards
he returned to the institute. His rheumatism and bladder trouble had
practically disappeared and he no longer suffered pain. After six
months, it had not returned. Infected teeth often cause rheumatism, as
almost everyone knows, but the interesting feature of this case was
that the bladder trouble apparently also came from the same source.”
BRIDGEWORK AND CROWNS
There are two types of bridges--the _fixed_ and the _removable_. The
former is cemented to the teeth on either side of the space for which
the missing teeth are supplied. It is undoubtedly the most efficacious
form of dental structure, from the mechanical standpoint, as it
simulates the more natural teeth more closely than any other form of
artificial denture.
Often a single artificial tooth is bridged to an adjoining natural
tooth. If a fixed bridge can be contrived, without imperiling the
tooth or teeth to which the bridgework is anchored, it is an extremely
serviceable arrangement. It may help to carry along a set of inferior
teeth for some years, under strict dental supervision, until it finally
becomes necessary, because of the deterioration of the teeth, to
eliminate the bridgework in favor of a plate.
Objection is often made to fixed bridges on account of the unhygienic
conditions which frequently exist under them. This, of course, may be
due to careless or indifferent cleansing on the part of the patient.
Under modern antiseptic dentistry, fixed bridges are not looked upon
with such universal favor as they were at a former period, although,
as we have stated, there are cases when they may be recommended. When
supplied, they must always be made so that no injury is done to the
tissues, and with the least possible tooth destruction; nor must they
interfere with the hygienic conditions of the mouth. Bridges with worn
out crowns are a menace and endanger the vitality of the pulp. When the
crowns become worn through they should be removed immediately, and a
new bridge supplied.
Removable bridges are considerably more sanitary, inasmuch as they can
be taken out and cleaned, and the anchoring teeth thoroughly brushed.
There is always the possibility, however, of the attachments--no matter
how carefully made--causing friction on the anchoring teeth, and this
may result in erosion. Some owners of the removable bridges make it a
habit of leaving the denture out of the mouth for considerable periods
at a time, and as the natural teeth change their relation slightly if
the bridge is not worn constantly, it is not long before the appliance
does not fit well. It is also advisable to wear the bridge at night,
after cleaning, to preserve the proper relationship of the teeth.
Gold crowns are not nearly so popular as they once were, and there is
no assurance, even when most skilfully made and perfectly fitted, that
the gums will not be irritated and pus pockets form. Many defective
teeth that were formerly crowned are now reinforced by other more
hygienic technique, if it is considered advisable to still retain
the tooth. As it is usually pulpless teeth that are crowned, it may
seriously be questioned whether it is ever policy to resort to this
unhygienic and generally unsatisfactory denture.
PROPHYLACTIC DENTISTRY.
Preventive dentistry is now one of the greatest of modern agencies for
improved individual and social health. Its influence is far-reaching
and will continue to be greater as the advantages of sound teeth become
more widely recognized.
The clinical and mechanical resources of dentistry are now developed
to a remarkable degree of efficiency. This science reaches its highest
state of perfection in the prophylactic realm. With even an elementary
knowledge on the part of the great masses of people of the profound
importance of oral hygiene, and constructive dietetics, there will be
prevented an immeasurable amount of disease, ill health, pain and the
inconveniences that are the inevitable accompaniments of unsound and
imperfect teeth.
It is to hasten this thoroughly practical end, and help achieve this
enviable goal, that the authors have written the present little book.
HEALTH AND SELF-MASTERY
Through Psycho-Analysis and Autosuggestion
BY WILLIAM J. FIELDING
“_A book that makes it easy to learn what everyone wants to know_”
In this fascinating book, Mr. Fielding, whose standing as an authority
on the most-talked-of subject of the day: personal benefit by
autosuggestion, is so well recognized, explains with great clearness
the psychic and physical processes which govern the human organism and
make our personality what it is, whether for good or ill.
Coué has demonstrated that it is the Unconscious Mind, through
autosuggestion, which cures and which vastly increases our
potentialities. Mr. Fielding, with his deep scientific knowledge,
takes us behind the scenes of personality (as is done in no other
book dealing with autosuggestion), and shows us the mechanism of the
Unconscious Mind, and of our whole automatic organism at work--a most
interesting revelation.
The hidden processes of our innermost being, of our vital, elemental
personality, are laid bare. A true understanding of Self implies
a working knowledge of these factors, and gives us Self-mastery,
Self-expression and Health.
Price, $2.10 postpaid
HALDEMAN-JULIUS COMPANY
Girard, Kansas
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
Typographical errors corrected. However, grammatical errors have been
left untouched.
Inconsistencies in hyphenation standardized.
Missing section headers on page 24 and 63 (all caps) added.