230 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
4. Do not bottle feed older babies. Continual sucking on a bottle bathes the
baby’s teeth in sweet liquid and causes early decay. (It is best not to bottle feed at all.
See p. 271.)
A TOOTHBRUSH IS NOT NECESSARY
You can use the twig of a tree, like this:
Sharpen this end to clean
between the teeth.
Chew on this end and use
the fibers as a brush.
Or tie a piece of rough towel around the end of a stick
or wrap it around your finger, and use it as a toothbrush.
piece of
rough towel
TOOTHPASTE IS NOT NECESSARY
Just water is enough, if you rub well. Rubbing the teeth and gums with something
soft but a little rough is what cleans them. Some people rub their teeth with powdered
charcoal or with salt. Or you can make a tooth powder by mixing salt and bicarbonate
of soda (baking soda) in equal amounts. To make it stick, wet the brush before putting it
in the powder.
salt
bicarbonate
of soda
IF A TOOTH ALREADY HAS A CAVITY (a hole caused by rot)
To keep it from hurting as much or forming an abscess, avoid
sweet things and brush well after every meal.
If possible, see a dental worker right away, if you go soon
enough, he can often clean and fill the tooth so it will last for
many years.
When you have a tooth with a cavity, do not wait until it hurts a lot.
Have it filled by a dental worker right away.