CBSE Class 9 English Literature Reader Chapter 11: NCERT Solutions

This question requires a personal response based on individual understanding and experience. While parents play a crucial role in teaching children about dental hygiene, the responsibility is shared. Children also need to develop their own sense of responsibility as they grow older. Factors like education, peer influence, and personal awareness also contribute to maintaining good dental health. Therefore, agreeing that parents *alone* are responsible might be an oversimplification, as a child's own commitment is vital.

Here is the completed table based on the poem:

Stages in the life of the poet | Activities | Consequences

Youth | Chewing sweet sticky foods, picking and licking lollies and candies, eating large and small sherbet dabs. | Paving the way to cavities, decay, and tooth loss.

Adulthood | Going to the dentist due to tooth decay, undergoing drilling and fillings, gazing at the dentist in despair. | Experiencing pain, discomfort, and the realization of past neglect.

The correct choice is (i) regret. The title clearly indicates a feeling of sorrow and disappointment over the speaker's past neglect of her dental health.

The correct choice is (i) been careless. The speaker's conscience bothers her because she realizes her own carelessness in not taking proper care of her teeth when she had the chance.

The correct choice is (i) eating the wrong food and not brushing. The poem explicitly states that her diet of sweets and lack of proper oral hygiene led to her dental problems.

The correct choice is (iii) regret. The narrator's reflection on her past actions and their negative outcomes clearly conveys a tone of deep regret.

These lines convey the speaker's youthful indifference and impatience towards dental hygiene. She found brushing and fussing over her teeth to be a waste of time because she prioritized immediate gratification, like eating, over long-term dental health. This attitude ultimately led to the severe dental problems she faces later in life, making her current efforts to save her teeth seem futile because it was too late.

The poet went to the dentist because her teeth had developed cavities, caps, and decay as a result of her lifelong neglect of dental hygiene. She could have avoided this painful and costly experience by adopting better habits in her childhood and youth. This would have included limiting her intake of sweets, brushing her teeth regularly and effectively, and generally taking better care of her oral health throughout her life.

This line emphasizes the immense value and importance of our teeth. It suggests that each tooth is like a 'friend' because it enables us to eat, speak clearly, and maintain our facial structure and smile. The line serves as a reminder that teeth are precious and should be cherished and cared for diligently. Neglecting them means losing these 'friends' and the pleasures and functions they provide, leading to regret.

Based on the poem's cautionary tale, one can look after their teeth by adopting the following practices:

1. Limit Sugary Foods: Reduce the consumption of sweets, toffees, candies, and other sugary items that contribute to tooth decay.
2. Regular Brushing: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, ensuring thorough cleaning to remove food particles and plaque.
3. Proper Technique: Use an effective brushing technique, covering all surfaces of the teeth.
4. Dental Check-ups: Visit a dentist regularly for check-ups and professional cleaning to catch any potential problems early.
5. Awareness: Understand that neglecting dental hygiene can lead to serious and lasting consequences, and take proactive steps to maintain oral health.