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The Teeth: Permanent

Permanent Teeth are thirty-two in number, or eight on each half of each jaw. Two in the front center of the jaw are called incisors or cutting teeth, and appear in the eighth or ninth year. One, next in order, the canine or dog tooth, appears between the eleventh and fifteenth year. Two next, called premolars, appear between the tenth and fifteenth year. Three last in the back part of the mouth are called molars, of which the first (as has already been mentioned) appears about the seventh year, the second between the thirteenth and sixteenth year, and the third, which is called the "wisdom" tooth, between the eighteenth and twentysixth year. Care of the Permanent Teeth.- Chewing dry toast, crackers, hard bread or other coarse food, greatly assists in keeping the permanent teeth in good condition. But for the purpose of dislodging particles of food, removing tartar and other substances a good toothbrush is indispensable. A toothbrush having medium soft bristles is preferable to one having stiff bristles, which may tend to injure or inflame the gum.

The shape of the brush is not particularly important, although the socalled "prophylactic" brush assists in dislodging food from the teeth in the back part of the mouth. What is more important is the manner in which the brush is handled. In addition to the sidewise strokes, the brush should also be worked up and down so as to remove from between the teeth particles of food that would "The Way the Brush is Handled." only be crowded in more tightly by rubbing back and forth. This is very important. The inner surface of the teeth should be brushed in the same manner, care being taken to cover, in brushing, every portion of the teeth that can be reached. The strokes of the brush should also cover the adjacent gums. This may cause them to bleed slightly at first, but in time they will harden and become strengthened. By promoting the circulation of blood, this will greatly improve the nutrition of the teeth and insure their permanency.

Toothpicks.-Etiquette forbids the use of the toothpick in public. But a supply of quills or wooden toothpicks of good quality should always be kept at hand at the toilet table.

These should be used as frequently as possible after meals to remove particles of food that cannot be dislodged by the use of the brush. When, as sometimes happens, the formation of the teeth is such that a toothpick cannot be used to advantage, a piece of silk thread, such as is used by dentists, can be procured at a drug store or dentist's office.

This will be found very useful for this purpose. After the use of the toothpick or thread, the mouth should be thoroughly rinsed, preferably with warm water, which has the property of dissolving foreign substances to a greater extent than cold water would do. And, if possible, a good antiseptic mouth wash, such as peroxide of hydrogen, should be used. Or use a strong solution of table salt in warm water. - Care of the Toothbrush.