The doctor at home and nurse's guidebook / edited by George Black.

Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The doctor at home and nurse's guidebook / edited by George Black. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    587/684 (page 539)
    diseases and in all chronic affections of the digestive tract, there is in- creased viscidity of the mucous secretions of the mouth, with a marked diminution of the saliva, tending to the production of caries. In dyspeptic troubles there is gener- ally an acid condition of the diges- tive fluids which are regurgitated from the stomach to the mouth and act directly upon the lime of the teeth. In addition to the acids, resulting from derangements of the stomach and alimentary tract, or from the mucous and salivary glands, or from the fermentation or decomposition of food about the teeth, there is another agent which is supposed to play an important part in the extension of caries, namely, a vegetable parasite—a fungus—found in the interstices, furrows and depressions of neglected teeth, but most abundantly in cavi- ties of decay. It is not claimed that this fungus originates decay, but that it becomes an active agent in the destructive process when once a loss of substance has been caused in the enamel—its filaments penetrating the minute chinks, excavations and orifices caused by disintegration and opening the way for the entrance of chemically de- structive agents. The development of this fungus seems to be favoured by an acid condition of the mouth. Treatment, therefore, which cor- rects the acidity lessens the danger. Antacid washes, especially washes or powders containing soap, hinder the development of the parasitic vegetation. Whatever may be said of the deleterious effects of tobacco upon the general system, it has not been proved to have any influence in the production of caries, although the discoloration which results from its continued use detracts markedly from the appearance of the teeth. In this connexion it may be men- tioned that the use of a clay pipe produces a rapid abrasion of the teeth between which it is held, and that short pipes are charged with the development of cancerous affec- tions of the tongue and lips. Sugar and confections exercise no directly injurious effects upon the teeth, but when taken in excess do produce an acid condition of the stomach un- favourable to the health of the mouth and, when left in the inter- stices of the teeth, rapidly undergo an acid formation, resulting in a product capable of acting very injuriously upon tooth-structure. Particles of candy remaining be- tween the teeth, will in a single night produce demonstrable mischief. The progress of decay of the teeth is as varied in different persons and at different times as is the character of disintegration. It proceeds some- times insidiously and slowly, and again with wonderful rapidity, sometimes announcing its ravages by a sensitiveness of the exposed dentine to sweets and acids and to changes of temperature, and at other times giving no notice of its presence until a complete exposure of the pulp has been made. TEETH, EXTRACTION OF It should be remembered that a tooth which has ached once will be likely to ache again and an endeav- our should be made to prevent a second attack in the same tooth by securing professional advice. It is seldom that the extraction of a tooth becomes a necessity. Thou- sands of teeth are sacrificed through impatience, the result of the pain which ought to have been avoided by timely attention and which might have been alleviated and the teeth preserved. The facility