Life, 1925-05-21 · page 40 of 40
Life — May 21, 1925 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **toothpaste advertisement**, not political satire. The page promotes Colgate's Ribbon Dental Cream by linking dental hygiene to broader health and beauty concerns. The advertisement argues that bad teeth cause serious diseases—rheumatism, heart disease, kidney trouble—by poisoning the blood through tooth infections. This reflects **early 20th-century medical thinking** that poor oral hygiene was responsible for systemic illness. The imagery shows an upper-class woman being advised about dental care, and a church clinic where children receive preventive dental treatment. The satire is mild: the ad gently mocks those who ignore dentistry while positioning Colgate's as the sensible, scientifically-sound solution at an affordable price (25¢). The accompanying editorial text from "a great newspaper" uses dramatic language—"thousands are killed every year by their own teeth"—typical of health-scare advertising of that era, now recognized as exaggerated but reflecting genuine contemporary medical anxieties.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Use Colgate’s— It removes causes of tooth decay The Safe Way to Protect Your Beauty and Health OOD TEETH are as necessary to good looks as pretty eyes and a lovely complexion. And good teeth are more necessary to good health than they are to beauty. Today dental science, through preven- tive dentistry, is trying to save teeth from decay—to prevent infections that may destroy your health and happiness. Colgate’s Ribbon Dental Cream is closely allied with this move for better teeth and better health. Free—generous trial tube e 5) COLGATE & CO, Dept. 459 381 Pith Ave. New York City Please send me, free, a trial tube of Ribbon Dental Cream. CLEANS TEETH rmx RIGHT “Washes”—does not scour Colgate’s is a preventive dentifrice- safe, effective, and pleasant to use because of its delightful taste. It removes causes of tooth decay by the gentle “washing” action of its non-gritty chalk and tasteless soap. These are the two ingredients that authorities say are most important in a dentifrice. Of course there are no curative claims for Colgate’s. No tooth paste or powder can cure. That is 1 dentist's function. Colgate’s keeps your teeth clean, and cleanliness is the best preventive measure known. Colgate’s is free from grit and harsh drugs. It is sensibly made, sensibly ad- vertised and sold at a sensible price— 25c for the large tube, at your favorite store. COLGATE & CO. Established 1806 Truth in Advert plies Honesty in Manufacture Good looks ruined by unhealthy Bad Teeth Destroy Beauty and Health ities Call Tooth Care Authormst Treatment for ‘Good Looks ANY diseases that bring prema- ture old age are traceable to teeth. Dreaded rheumatism, heart disease and other infirmities that ruin health and beauty can be directly caused by tc infections. One great newspaper says editorially “Thousands are killed every year by their own teeth, and millions suffer rheumatism and other troubles, in- cluding kidney trouble, because diseased teeth poison the blood Get the best brush, the right cleaning substance, keep your teeth clean scientifically and you'll live longer.” Prevention of tooth decay is vital to health and beauty. Cleanliness is the most effective method. John Sayre Marshall, in his work on “Mouth Hygiene,” says, “Cleanliness of the mouth and teeth is the greatest of all prophylactic measures which can be in- stituted against dental decay.” Conditions can be greatly i Cive yourself a chance! Preventive dentistry is sweeping the United States. Here is a church clinic where children are given a chance to escape disease. comicbooks.com