The prevalence of defective teeth in this country is the general subject
of remark by foreigners; and whoever has traveled in Spain and Portugal
is struck with the superior soundness and whiteness of teeth in those
countries. Though not a cleanly people in other respects, they wash
their teeth often, and, by means of toothpicks, carefully remove all
substances from between them after meals. A little silver porcupine,
with holes all over its back to insert toothpicks, is a common ornament
on the dining tables of Spain and Portugal. The general use of them
creates so large a demand, that students at Coimbra sometimes support
themselves by whittling toothpicks, which are sold tied in small bunches
like matches. They are made of willow, on account of its toughness and
pliability. Toothpicks of metal are too hard, and are apt to injure the
gums. There is the same objection, in a less degree, to quills. But
willow toothpicks are preferable to all others; and they have the
advantage of being the most cleanly, for they generally break in the
using, and are thrown away. Few sights are more offensive to a person
of any refinement than a toothpick that has been much used; it is,
moreover, uncleanly, and therefore not healthy for the teeth. Food
allowed to remain between the teeth, particularly animal food, is very
destructive: it should be carefully removed after every meal, and the
mouth thoroughly rinsed. This may seem to some like a great talk about a
small matter; but these are simple precautions to take, and very slight
trouble compared with the agony of aching teeth, or a breath so
offensive that your best friend does not wish to sit near you. I can see
no reason why a man's complexion should exclude him from the
dining-table, but I do see a very good reason why he should be banished
for not taking proper care of his teeth. A bad breath is such a
detestable thing, that it might be a sufficient reason for not marrying
a person of otherwise agreeable qualities. It is, moreover, perfectly
inexcusable thus to transform oneself into a walking sepulchre. Nobody
needs to have an offensive breath. A careful removal of substances from
between the teeth, rinsing the mouth after meals, and a bit of charcoal
held in the mouth, will _always_ cure a bad breath. Charcoal, used as a
dentifrice--that is, rubbed on in powder with a brush--is apt to injure
the enamel; but a lump of it, held in the mouth, two or three times in a
week, and slowly chewed, has a wonderful power to preserve the teeth and
purify the breath. The action is purely chemical. It counteracts the
acid arising from a disordered stomach, or food decaying about the
gums; and it is the acid which destroys the teeth.
Every one knows that charcoal is an antiputrescent, and is used in
boxing up animal or vegetable substances, to keep them from decay. Upon
the same chemical principle, it tends to preserve the teeth and sweeten
the breath. There is no danger from swallowing it; on the contrary,
small quantities have a healthful effect on the inward system,
particularly when the body is suffering from that class of complaints
peculiarly incident to summer. It would not be wise to swallow that or
any other gritty substance, in large quantities, or very frequently;
but, once or twice a week, a little would be salutary, rather than
otherwise. A bit of charcoal, as big as a cherry, merely held in the
mouth a few hours, without chewing, has a good effect. At first, most
persons dislike to chew it, but use soon renders it far from
disagreeable. Those who are troubled with an offensive breath might chew
it very often and swallow it but seldom. It is particularly important to
clean and rinse the mouth thoroughly before going to bed; otherwise a
great deal of the destructive acid will form during the night.
If these hints induce only _one_ person to take better care of the
teeth, I shall be more than rewarded for the trouble of writing. It is
painful to see young persons losing their teeth merely for want of a few
simple precautions; and one cannot enter stage or steam-car without
finding the atmosphere polluted, and rendered absolutely unhealthy for
the lungs to breathe, when a proper use of water and charcoal might
render it as wholesome and pleasant as a breeze of Eden.