Care of the Teeth

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Apr 8, 1875

Care of the Teeth.

The teeth are covered with a thin, hard enamel like glass, and anything which cracks this enamel, will cause the teeth to decay. Excessively hot or cold drinks will do this. Any housekeeper knows better than to pour hot water into a glass dish. Remember that your teeth are your glass ware, and use them carefully. Powerful acids will also destroy the enamel on the teeth. Most of the patent tooth powders and washes contain acids; and although they give the teeth a pearly appearance, they quickly eat through the enamel and destroy the teeth.

The teeth are designed to last as long as any part of the body, and it is only the neglect and abuse they receive which causes them to decay thus early. After each meal the teeth should be thoroughly cleansed, and every particle of food removed from between them. Never use pins, needles, or jack-knives for tooth-picks, but some substance which is softer than the enamel of the teeth, like wood, goose-quil, ivory, or gold. For cleansing the teeth, nothing is better than a good tooth-brush and warm water. The frequent use of the tooth-brush, hardens the gums and keeps them healthy; and usually this is all the care necessary to keep the teeth clean and bright.—Sel.