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Show Saliva Tests Check Tooth Decay Most interesting research work on finding out how badly teeth are decayed de-cayed is reported in the Journal of the American Dental Association by Dr. Marshall L. Snyder of the Hygienic Laboratory, University of Michigan. A group of children were studied for a little more than two years in an attempt to find out if the number of organisms that cause tooth decay present in the mouth (saliva) were in proportion to the amount of decay present in the teeth. Children of the Michigan Elementary Elemen-tary school were selected for this research work because the condition condi-tion of their teeth is studied during the school year by an examination of the teeth fall and spring, together with X-rays and measurements of the teeth and jaws. This made it easy for research workers to compare com-pare the findings of the examination of the teeth with the number of the special organisms present in saliva. Only those children that had received re-ceived from four to seven examinations examina-tions and tests during the two years were included in the report. How closely did the number of organisms and the amount of decay present agree with one another? "The study proved to be 90 per cent accurate when clinical examinations exami-nations of the children's teeth were checked against the color changes (showing number of organisms present) pres-ent) which occurred in the laboratory labora-tory tests. The number of organisms organ-isms present was obtained by having the children chew on wax tablets. Then the specimens of the saliva were tested in the laboratory after definite periods of time. If no color change in the substance in which, organisms grow within 72 hours, no decay present. If some color change in 48 hours, some decay de-cay of teeth is present. If considerable consid-erable color change in 24 hours, there was much decay. QUESTION BOX Q. Would constant swallowing indicate in-dicate nervousness? A. Swallowing Is Just a habit. Get busy and think of other things and It should stop. Q. Is tic doloreux considered a curable ailment? A. Tic dolorcnx may be due to heredity, exposure to cold, thin blood, tiredness and other causes. Treatment by injecting 90 per cent alcohol solution gives good results In most cases. |