Page 43 - My FlipBook

THE USE OF A\'aTER. 39

operator is in itself important, and the wash basin, while not
necessarily before or about the operating chair, should be conve-
nient, and in such position that the patient may at least know
when the operator washes his hands. Cleanliness and neatness
are important in gaining and in holding a practice.
Water should be constantly ready for use at the operating
chair for washing the teeth and gums of patients. For use in
the mouth water should genei'ally be heated to about 105 degrees
Fahrenheit, or just a little warmer than blood temperature. In
the large majority of cases this temperature will be found most
grateful to patients. If, however, cases occur, as they will, in
which some of the teeth are very sensitive to thermal changes,
the temperature of 105 degrees will cause considerable pain, and
in such cases the temperature should be carefully reduced to gS}4
degrees, or blood temperature.
The uses of water at the operating chair are :
For cleaning the teeth preparatory to operating.
For keeping the teeth and mouth free from blood and debris
while removing calculus, or in doing any operations upon dis-
eased gums, or while treating diseases of the peridental mem-
branes.
For washing cavities during any portion of the work of
excavating that may be done before placing the rubber dam.
For cleaning the necks of the teeth before applying the rub-
ber dam.
For treating the gums after removing the rubber dam.
For removing debris and polishing powders during any por-
tion of the polishing of fillings that may be done without the
rubber dam.
P'or any and all of these uses a good rubber-bulb water
syringe which will hold a little more than a gill is necessary. A
little bit of a water syringe is a nuisance. A syringe should be
used with which the mouth can be flooded with water, or a strong
continuous stream thrown for several seconds.
For cleaning the teeth preparatory to operating, warm
water should be used in almost every case, even though the teeth
are apparendy in a cleanly condition. In the best of conditions
there is usually more or less gummy material containing many
micro-organisms about the necks of the teeth, or about cavities,
especially proximal, buccal and labial cavities, which should be