Foods and home making

Why is bathing necessary for health? You doubtless know from studying physiology that there are very tiny openings in the skin called pores. You also know that there are sweat glands in the skin. The pores are the openings of the sweat glands. Through the sweat glands, sweat or perspiration is emptied out on the surface of the skin. Sweat is water in which some of the wastes of the body are dissolved. When it comes out on the surface of the skin, the water soon evaporates and the waste material is left on the skin. It is necessary not only to wash the 1 Adapted from rules of the American Child Health Association. 467 Keeping Well face and hands so as to get rid of body wastes as well as dirt, but to wash the whole body. There are sweat glands all over the body. It is believed there are two or three million of them. The refreshed feeling that comes after a bath makes bathing worth while for this reason alone. Then, too, frequent bathing is necessary to keep the body free from odors. Sweat has an un- pleasant odor. The attractiveness of a well-dressed person may be entirely spoiled by the odor of sweat. Why keep the teeth clean and sound? Perhaps you admire pearls. A piece of jewelry set with pearls or a string of pearl beads may add a pleasing touch to a girl’s appearance. But pearly teeth are far more attractive than jewelry or beads. Most persons show their teeth when smiling. Clean white teeth adorn a smile ; stained or dirty teeth detract from it. If you want to make yourself as attractive as possible brush your teeth. Place the tooth brush firmly on your teeth on the margin of the gum. Brush away from the gums or roots of the teeth. Brush your teeth both inside and out. Also brush the roof of your mouth, your tongue, and gums. Keep your tooth brush clean. Rinse it in hot water. Put it in a clean place. A person without teeth cannot talk well. The absence of a tooth here and there interferes with eating and with thorough chewing of food. It also detracts greatly from a good appear- ance. Sound as well as clean teeth are needed to make one look well. To keep your teeth sound, visit the dentist often, once every six months. Do not let a cavity in your tooth become very large. Just as a stitch in time saves nine, so a visit to the dentist in time may save painful dental work and expense. Then, too, decayed teeth are dangerous. Doctors often find that a serious disease is the result of a decayed tooth. Are brushing and visits to the dentist all that are needed to keep teeth in good condition ? A baby’s teeth will not grow and 468 Health and Child Care develop properly if the baby is not given proper food. A baby must have foods that are rich in minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus. Teeth as well as other parts of the body must be nourished. Milk and vegetables contain materials which nourish the teeth. (Is it not surprising how many reasons there are why we should drink milk and eat vegetables?)