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182 OPERATIVE DENTISTRY
First, who from constitutional reasons have a tendency to an
abundance of carbon dioxide in the excretions and secretions.
This condition may be brought about by great physical or mental
activity or where the skin, kidneys or lungs, or all, are not per-
forming their full functions. These are the principal eliminaters
of carbon dioxide. Such individuals are very liable to be troubled
with precipitation within the gland and ducts, through which their
secretions are expelled, resulting in cystic, glandular, biliary or
renal calculi.
Second, those individuals who either occasionally or habitually
engorge heavy meals, wherein the quantity of such meals is greater
than that needed for growth or maintenance.
TJiird, in mouths wherein the amount of lactic acid is more than
normal.
Fourth, in the mouths of public speakers and mouth breathers,
whether awake or during sleep. The great amount of oxygen com-
ing in contact with the saliva assists in the rapid liberation of the
carbon dioxide and consequent rapid precipitation of the calcium
salts.
Prevention of Salivary Deposits. It would seem that salivary
deposits can largely be prevented by stimulating the circulation;
stimulating the elimination of carbon dioxide from the body;
checking mouth breathing as much as possible, correcting over-
acidity of the mouth, limiting the amount of food taken into the
stomach at each meal by more nearly equalizing the three daily
meals to the needs of the body. Also by so highly polishing the
surfaces of the teeth upon which the deposit is precipitated, as to
facilitate the mechanical removal of the fresh deposits. Last but
not least, so instructing the patients in the mechanical features of
the care of their teeth that insofar as possible all fresh deposits
are removed before hardening takes place.
Serumal Calculus is a calcic precipitate from the lilood. The
salts in solution in the blood as well as the stability of suspension
depends materially upon the presence of a normal amount of car-
bon dioxide.
Serumal Calculus Is Deposited beneath the gum tissue Avherein
there is a passive hyperemic condition or congestion. Here we
have excessive tissue waste, lessened alkalinity of the blood, a lib-
eration of the carbon dioxide and consequent precipitation of the
inorganic salts. By the recession of the gum after the formation