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79
from dental caries, however, requires some farther explanation
than the cleansing effect on the teeth of certain foods, however
beneficial these are known to be. The explanation may, it is felt,
be found in the superior structure of some teeth. It has been observed
that some children are more liable to dental caries than
others, even when the diet and environment are similar, and this may
be held to support the view that enamel varies considerably in its
susceptibility to dental caries.
In the case of children naturally free from dental caries in all
age groups, there was a noticeable absence of pits on the coronal
surfaces of the molar teeth, so generally noted as the starting points
of decay, the enamel presenting a smooth polished surface and
appearing to be highly calcified. This characteristic, combined with
the regular arrangement of the teeth in well developed arches,
rendered the teeth self cleansing in a marked degree.
It was observed that brothers and sisters of these children
frequently had equally good teeth, or if not equally good the incidence
of dental caries was unusually low. This is what one would
expect, as the factors responsible for good teeth in one member of a
family are generally common to all. In the rare instances found
where one child had naturally sound teeth and a brother or sister
had a high incidence of dental caries, ill health and a different diet
usually afforded an explanation. Children with naturally sound
dentitions did not appear to brush their teeth more regularly than
other children.
It was particularly observed that the diet of caries free children
had at no time presented difficulty to their parents, and that they
partook regularly of food requiring vigorous mastication. There
were instances of children being given raw vegetables from a very
early age.
The diet of children with a high incidence of dental caries
was usually in striking contrast. Many parents complained that the
appetites of these children were poor and that they had difficulty
in persuading them to eat food of a fibrous nature. In general, their
diet was ill balanced, being deficient in elements necessary for the
formation of well calcified teeth, and in detergent properties that
would tend to maintain them in health after eruption.
The sum taken in fees for dental treatment amounted to
£63 14s. Od.
In conclusion, I would like once more to thank Head Teachers