CHILD BRUSHING HIS TEETH
Teething. Babies nourished by healthy breast milk cut their teeth earlier than those who are bottle fed. When the teeth begin to come the gums are apt to be red and swollen. Special care should be taken at this time to keep the mouth clean. It is a mistake to dread the teething period and to feel that the baby is sure to be sick. Sickness at this time usually attributed to teething is more apt to be due to faulty feeding or to some other condition, and the family physician should be consulted at once.
Diet. Good teeth in a baby depend largely on his diet. During the first few months of his life, in addition to milk he should be given fruit juice and meat juice (see [Appendix B]). As his teeth develop he should be given food that requires chewing; this is necessary to keep the teeth and muscles of the jaw strong and healthy.
Teeth and their care. By the time the child is two and a half years old the temporary teeth should be fully developed. These are replaced by the permanent teeth, which usually begin to appear about the sixth year. Their condition will largely depend upon the care given to the first teeth; neglect of the temporary teeth is a frequent cause of decay in the permanent teeth.
After the teeth come they should be cleansed with a soft brush in the morning and after the evening meal. A good mouth wash consists of a two per cent boric acid solution or a weak solution of bicarbonate of soda and water (one-half teaspoonful to a glass of water).
Care of the toothbrush. After being used the toothbrush should be cleansed with soap and warm water, thoroughly rinsed, and completely dried. Each day it is well to place the brush in the sunshine.
CHAPTER XI
EMERGENCIES
Suggestions for demonstrations. 1. Describe the bath thermometer and illustrate its use with water at different temperatures. 2. Demonstrate the preparation of an enema and show the correct position of the body when taking one. 3. Show how to protect the baby from infection when the mother has a cold.
Babies should be protected from excessive excitement. The brain grows as much during the first year as it does during the entire remainder of life. As the baby’s nervous system is easily upset, he should be kept free from disturbing influences.
Convulsions. Anything which upsets the baby’s nervous system may interfere with the process of digestion. This, as well as improper food, constipation, or some acute illness may be the cause of convulsions. When in a convulsion, the baby loses consciousness, the legs and arms stiffen, and the facial muscles begin to twitch. Send for a doctor at once. Meanwhile the baby should be placed in a tub of warm water. If a thermometer is not at hand, some adult should always test the temperature by placing her arm, up to the elbow, in the water. Great care should be taken that the water is not too hot, as many babies have been seriously burned in this way. The temperature of the water should be slowly raised to 108° F. by adding hot water. A cold compress should be placed on the child’s head and frequently changed. When the convulsion ceases the child should be removed from the bath and wrapped in a warm blanket, and his face should be bathed with cold water. If necessary, he may be kept in the bath about twenty minutes. If a child has convulsions and a tub is not available, he should be wrapped in a large bath towel which has been dipped in water at a temperature of 104° F., wrapped in a soft blanket, and the face and hands should be bathed in cold water.