Is there a call for a dentist?

[Diamond18]

Also, Tolkien also never mentions anybody going number two.

Are you implying that he did, in fact, make mention of number one? [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

There is somewhat of a difference between dental hygiene and bowel movements, of course. One is a process which requires a technique, the other just happens. So I'm not sure what toliets in Hobbit holes and Aragon's shovel has to do with this topic. And I wouldn't classify the matter of tooth brushing under fixation with bodily functions. People see your teeth and smell your breath, it's a very public thing. So when an author mentions the beauty or nobility of a character's appearance, you expect said character to have at least tolerable looking teeth. In my mind's eye I just don't see Aragon being crowned king and looking majestic with a thick layer of plaque on his teeth....

That said, I wouldn't expect Tolkien to have to tell us how people in Middle-earth maintain their teeth—daily dental details isn't something one usually finds in heroic fiction, for good reason. I think bodily functions and basic hygiene should really only be mentioned when it effects the plot or the character, otherwise who really cares about it? Well... besides members of internet forums, of course.... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]