Page 187 - My FlipBook

Chanlinees of the Teeth. 167
improper dentifrices ; or even that this substance cannot be
worn off the teeth by the injudicious use of good tooth pow-
ders; but we do contend, that there is no danger to be appre-
hended from the daily use of suitable tooth powder, so as to
keep the teeth perfectly clean and free of foreign matter, and
of their natural polish. We have been in the^ habit, of using
a tooth powder daily, as regular as the rising sun, for a great
number of years, yet, we cannot perceive that our teeth are
thereby worn away in the least.
A great deal of mischief will be prevented by this procedure,
for one grand secret in the preservation of the teeth consists in
keeping them perfectly clean and highly polished. Teeth,
having their natural polish are easily kept clean, for foreign
matter does not readily adhere to a polished surface, which is
not the case with a rough one. Few persons, very few indeed,
keep their teeth perfectly free of tartar ! The enamel is destroy-
ed ten times more rapidly by the chemical action of foreign
matter, than it can be by the use of any rational tooth powder.
Finally, in the use of tooth brushes and dentifrices, we
would recommend strict adherence to the following maxim.
Keep the teeth perfectly free of all foreign matter and preserve
their natural polish. If this object can be effected by the daily
use of a brush and cold water, (which is seldom the case,) they
are all that are required or proper ; but if not, a proper tooth
powder should be used daily in addition, just freely enough to
accomplish this purpose.
It is an excellent plan to brush the^teeth in the evening be-
fore retiring, to remove any particles of food that may adhere
to them. This habit renders the mouth delightfully sweet,
and is very grateful to those accustomed to it, and thus amply
repays them for their trouble, and must prove of advantage
in the preservation of the teeth.
In brushing the teeth, water should be used of that temp«i-
ture, most agreeable, and not cold enoug-h to produce painful
sensations in them.