Dr. L. M. Waugh of Buffalo, quoting from Guer
ni's "History of Dentistry," calls attention to
a collection of Egyptian writings dating back
to 1550 B. C., in which are mentioned a num
ber of remedies for this disease. Decay or
caries of the teeth is largely due to neglect or
failure to keep the mouth and particularly the
teeth properly cleaned. If food particles lodge
between the teeth and are not removed they
eventually ferment. During this fermentation
process the mouth bacteria acting on the car
bohydrate foodstuffs produce acid fermenta
tion. These acids dissolve the lime salts of
the teeth, exposing the dentine to the action
of microbes which rapidly destroy the tooth
structure. It is the general supposition that
teeth always decay from the outside; as a
matter of fact the change takes place from
within outward and goes on rapidly until there
is quite a large cavity. Frequently toothache
or extreme sensitiveness to hot or cold food
or drink are the first intimations that decay
has taken place. Sometimes there is no-pain
at all and a chance examination discloses the
cavity in the tooth./
These tooth cavities are ideal incubators
for all kinds of bacteria. Many of the patho
genic bacteria require heat and moisture for
their development and the unclean mouth and
teeth offer all these conditions. It is not un
common to find the pus-producing organisms,
the bacillus of diphtheria and tuberculosis, in
these tooth cavities:
The cases of unclean mouths are legion;
not only among children, but among adults.
It is estimated that only eight per cent. of the
people in this country take care of their teeth.
In a recent paper read before the Society
of Medical Inspectors of New York, and com
menting on the condition of children's teeth..
