Life, 1925-09-03 · page 36 of 36
Life — September 3, 1925 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **toothpaste advertisement**, not satirical content. The page promotes Colgate's Ribbon Dental Cream through persuasive health messaging rather than satire. The left side features photographs of people (appears to be impoverished or working-class subjects) alongside claims that good teeth prevent serious diseases—rheumatism, melancholia, and shortened lifespans. The right side's "Prevent this" section emphasizes these consequences. The advertisement's strategy links dental hygiene to broader health and social mobility. Notably, it claims Colgate's "removes causes of tooth decay" through gentle cleansing rather than harsh scouring, positioning it as preventive rather than curative. The tagline "Truth in Advertising Implies Honesty in Manufacture" attempts to establish credibility. A free trial offer and low price (25¢) targeted mass-market consumers. The reference to hospitals and schools using preventive dentistry suggests this reflected genuine early-20th-century public health initiatives, making the ad a blend of genuine health advocacy and commercial promotion.
📄 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 OOD TEETH and good health are usually com- panions. Good looks, too, are dependent to a large extent on your teeth. Because of the importance of good teeth to your health and to your ap- pearance, the modern dentist is doing every- thing he can to keep teeth healthy. Prevent- ive dentistry—prevent- ing disease by combat- ing tooth troubles—is the new e Free—Gencrous trial tube - COLGATE & CO., Depe. 518 $81 Fifth Ave., New York City Piease send me, free, atrial tubs of Ribbon Dental Cream. Address, health move. Colgate’s Ribbon Dental Cream always has been in the forefront of this scientific move forbettertecthand health. “Washes”—does not Scour Colgate’s is a preventive dental cream. It removes causes of tooth decay by “washing” your teeth safely and thoroughly. Colgate’s contains no harsh grit, no danger- ous drugs. Its principal ingredients are mild soap and fine chalk, the two substances that authorities say are most essential in a tooth paste. Its functionisnottocure, but to cleanse and protect. The taste of Colgate’s is deli- cious. And its price is as pleas- ant as its taste—only 25c for the large tube. A condition bed teeth may caue pend on Tooth Care The importance of preventive dentistry can't be overstated. Perhaps it may seem absurd to attribute rheumatism or mel- ancholia to poor teeth. But sci- ence has proved the connection. If you doubt this, ask your den- tist. Let him tell you the serious consequencesto which bad teeth may lead. He will tell you that many dread diseases are traced directly to bad teeth; that even life itself may be shortened by teeth that have become diseased. Many cities have undertaken preventive dentistry in schools. Philanthropic institutions, large business firms, churches and hospitals have taken hold. Many great newspapers are waging the good fight in their columns. A New York newspaper says: “The best results are obtained by giving the teeth the right care every day, supplemented fre- quently by a thorough treatment at the office of a dentist.” As knowledge of this great sub- ject increases, more and more forces are uniting against the common enemy—tooth decay, Conditions must be improved. Give yourself a chance! A hospital in New York main- tains this dental clinic to help boys and girls to health and happiness. Truth in Advertising Implies Honesty in Manufacture comicbooks.com