THE CARE OF THE MOUTH The care of the mouth in healthy persons has the same significance as the care of the teeth. From this principle, which has been formulated by the profession, the following conclusion may be inferred: The tooth less mouth of the infant needs no special care.
Earlier than this it has been asserted that the lesions and infections of the mucous membrane of the mouth were the immediate results of the manipulations used in cleansing the mouth. For this reason the washing and wiping of the oral eavity must be rejected as an unnecessary and harmful procedure (Epstein). The practical application of this rule is everywhere followed by the best results and can scarcely be emphasized too much; the cases of mouth diseases in infancy are very much reduced in number when less attention is given to the mouth.
In the ease of the child beyond the age of infancy the hygienic rules useful for the civilized adult are indicated. The regular care must commence with the milk teeth, because, as experience has taught, the health of the permanent teeth depends in a great measure on that of the deciduous teeth. Furthermore, the milk tooth gives the permanent tooth its direction of growth; wherefore, the former should be retained as long as possible.
The greatest danger to the teeth arises from the food particles which cling to their surface, and which by fermentation gradually dissolve the inorganic substance of the tooth; the bacteria of decay only then begin a successful work of destruction. The chief hygienic rule, then,
is to remove all the food particles after each meal. This demand can usually be fulfilled by the use of the toothpick, by cleansing the crown with the tooth 1ğmsh, and by flushing the mouth with water.
The proper use of the toothbrush should be taught to the children as early as possible. The toothbrush should be soft, and when brushing the teeth should be. moved in a vertical direction parallel to the inter dental spaces. Brushing the teeth transversely does more harm than good. The subsequent washing of the mouth should be clone with a slicking movement in order that the water may be forcibly whirled between. the teeth.
The cheapest and most rational cleansing preparations are pre pared chalk and lukewarm water. The usefulness of antiseptics is doubtful; the detrimental effect of tooth soap is certain.
Even in periods when no disturbances referable to the teeth exist, the child should be sent to the dentist for inspection at least once a year.
The care of the mouth demands special attention cluring the course of diseases, particularly those of an infectious nature, which rule can scarcely be made too important.