Operative Dentistry for Children A Text Book Dealing With the Prophylactic and Curative Treatment of the Teeth of the Child, Based Upon Experiences of Children Exclusively Classic Reprint

Excerpt from Operative Dentistry for Children: A Text Book Dealing With the Prophylactic and Curative Treatment of the Teeth of the Child, Based Upon Experiences Gained During More Than Twenty-Five Years Devoted to the Care of Children Exclusively

If we are going to live up to the slogan, Add ten years to life, why not begin at the logical time, to store up good health and resistance to disease by the conservation of sound teeth and healthy soft tissues in the oral cavity?

Why not be prepared to do thorough constructive work from the earliest period at which the parent can be induced to bring a child instead of saying, when consulted, as thousands of dentists are still advising, There is no need of work on the first teeth. There is the greatest need of work on these first teeth, as is proved by the fact that eigthy per cent Of school children suffer from dental caries.

This refusal of many dentists to care for the youngest children - and the resulting foci Of infection in the mouths of children - has brought the dental profession into disrepute.

Dental caries is a preventable disease of childhood, due to incorrect diet and lack Of care. That it is not wholly due to disease is shown by children who, though ill from birth, through continuous care have perfect teeth. That it is not due to heredity is shown by children with perfect teeth where the parents have very bad teeth. Carious teeth sometimes seem to be inherited, but upon investigation will be found to be the result of imitating the bad habits Of the parents.

Dental caries could be eradicated in a generation as certainly as have been yellow fever and the plagues. Instead of destroying the deadly mosquito and flea, it would only be necessary to rid the country Of the more deadly candy shop and grocery store, get most of our living from the vegetable garden and the family cow, and apply the teachings of oral hygiene.

The examinations made during the war disclosed the dire results of neglected teeth in childhood. These examinations were made Of the young men of the nation; but no doubt an equal or even larger number Of girls and young women are as far below normal. This indicates that the future health and morals of the nation are in great danger. It also throws an immense responsibility upon the dental profession. In no other way could more loyal service be rendered to our country than by building up a vigorous race through eradicating dental caries in childhood.

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