Page 281 - My FlipBook

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DENTITION.

This is a term applied to a beautiful process of Nature, by
which the teeth are passed from the jaw through the sof
parts and gain situations above the gums. In a majority of
cases this process is effected with little pain, and without ex-
citing any symptoms of constitutional sympathy ; in others,
great constitutional irritation is produced. In chap. 2nd,
section 4th, was shewn the manner in which dentition is af-
fected: in this section I only wish to notice constitutional
and local affections, which are the result of difficult dentition.
In this process, the teeth, by their developement are
pressed against the gum, which, by a process of ulceration, is
removed. Such is the beautiful harmony of nature, that in
a majority of cases, these two operations will proceed with-
out, in the least, affecting the health of the individual, and
he will be reminded of the approach and complete develope-
ment of the teeth only by a slight tenderness of the gums.
In adults whose systems possess slight mobility, dentition is
rarely productive of constitutional irritation, and seldom, in-
deed, does the cutting of any of the second teeth produce
any bad effects, save in some rare cases with the cutting of
the dens sapientiae. In general, it is only in the premier denti-
tion that the aid of the surgeon is required. Delicate chil-
dren, possessed of considerable irritability and mobility of
constitution, and inclined to costiveness, are most apt to be
affected by the first dentition. In this process, if the gum is
not absorbed away as fast as the young tooth grows, then it
becomes distended, swells, and great irritation usually fol-
lows, indicated by fever, restlessness, fretfulness, crying, &c.
The child often puts its fingers in its mouth, and is often qui-
eted if this is done by its nurse : sometimes it will refuse the