February is Children's Dental Health Month

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Most small children have some idea of what the tooth fairy looks like, but most would be wrong. She looks like this:

Jane Wyman in an off-the-shoulder evening gown with white opera gloves, wearing diamond earrings and a choker necklace. Simple, but elegant.  Grabbing your teeth right out of your head, in this case Beverly Washburn's head.

It is important to encourage proper tooth brushing and oral hygiene among children, who may not understand how vital this is to their general health. Many Hollywood stars brush their teeth.

Here, Gary Cooper demonstrates his own special technique, which he devised to reach those tough spots right in the front teeth and gums.  Notice how his left hand is cupped to hold the tooth powder.  Tooth powder was discontinued because it too closely resembled cocaine, which caused much embarrassment at debauched  Hollywood parties.  

Here, Bette Davis shows us how to carefully lean low over the sink so as not to splurt spit and dribbling flecks of toothpaste onto her blouse. This is most useful if you happen to brush your teeth at work, or in between courses at elegant restaurants.

Jean Arthur, whose craving for the taste of peppermint led to an unfortunate toothpaste addiction, and was known to just stand there all day brushing her teeth, nevertheless shows that even a bad habit can lead to good oral hygiene.

Celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month with a new toothbrush and brush your teeth like the movie stars do. If you do not, Jane Wyman will come to your home and yank your rotten teeth out with her nimble gloved fingers.

This has been a public service announcement from Another Old Movie Blog -- “Serving your old movie and dental health needs since 2007”.