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Cleanliness of the Mouth. 163
the teeth, "scurvy in the gums," and "tartar of the teeth,"
to which the reader is referred.
When we consider that foreign matter is, directly, the
grand cause of external caries, scurvy in the gums, and of an
offensive breath ; and indirectly the cause of some serious
local disease of the mouth and jaws, of derangement of the
general system, and of much pain and suffering, it seems sur-
prising that any person can be so unmindful of his interest
and welfare, as to neglect to keep his mouth clean ; besides,
one would suppose, that the luxury of a clean and wholesome
mouth, would be a sufficient inducement for procuring it, and
amply repay the little time it costs. Notwithstanding, there
are thousands who wholly neglect the teeth. Indeed, there
are few comparatively, who keep their teeth perfectly free
from foreign matter: though they may use tooth brushes, tooth
powders, &c. yet they do not procure proper ones, or use them
properly. We shall now use our best endeavors to point out
'the means, by which every person who has a healthy mouth,
may keep his teeth perfectly clean.
OF THE MEANS TO BE USED IN ORDER TO KEEP THE
MOUTH CLEAN.
The means to be used for the above purpose are tooth
brushes, tooth picks, tooth powders, and on some occasions
astringent and detergent washes.
TOOTH BRUSHES.
Tooth brushes of various kinds and shapes have been con-
trived and are kept in the shops. There is much diversity of
opinion among dentists as well as others, as to the kinds
of tooth brushes best adapted for the purpose of keeping
the teeth clean ; some recommending either bard or soft
brushes, and others a medium. In this dilemma, it is difficult
to give directions that shall prove satisfactory to all. People
must (for they will) be governed in a great measure by their