Page 378 - My FlipBook
P. 378
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374
matter deposited upon the teeth and pressing upon the gumi
and alveolar processes, as indirectly causing caries, and di-
rectly a diseased state of the gums. I mention the tartar
and other foreign matter as being the principal agents in pro-
ducing diseased gums, and consequently the reader will be
prepared to hear me say, that the removal of this matter is
indispensable in the cure and prevention of these diseases.
This is the fact, as in almost every instance our efforts in the
cure or prevention of them will be wholly unavailing, unless
we perfectly remove the foreign matter, and prevent its ac-
cumulation.
Of the Foreign Matters lodged upon the Teeth.
In the course of our observations upon the teeth we no-
tice four, apparently, different kinds of foreign matter depos-
ited upon them.
First,—An orange-coloured substance, giving to the teeth
a peculiarly yellow colour.
Second,—A dark brown, or nearly black substance.
Third,—A greenish substance, lodged more particularly
on the flat surfaces of the incisores, and on the canini ; no-
ticed mostly on the teeth of children and young persons
and, as far as my observation extends, I have thought that this
matter appears to be an exciting cause of caries. In exam-
ining the teeth of individuals, whenever I have noticed this
greenish matter, I have most usually remarked the presence
of caries.
Fourth,—Tartar, or Zufa. This substance, perhaps from
a fancied analogy to the tartar of wine-barrels, has been
termed Tartar. It is quite doubtful whether it is a directly
exciting cause of caries, but indirectly, by causing disease in
the soft parts upon which it impinges, and thereby vitiating
374
matter deposited upon the teeth and pressing upon the gumi
and alveolar processes, as indirectly causing caries, and di-
rectly a diseased state of the gums. I mention the tartar
and other foreign matter as being the principal agents in pro-
ducing diseased gums, and consequently the reader will be
prepared to hear me say, that the removal of this matter is
indispensable in the cure and prevention of these diseases.
This is the fact, as in almost every instance our efforts in the
cure or prevention of them will be wholly unavailing, unless
we perfectly remove the foreign matter, and prevent its ac-
cumulation.
Of the Foreign Matters lodged upon the Teeth.
In the course of our observations upon the teeth we no-
tice four, apparently, different kinds of foreign matter depos-
ited upon them.
First,—An orange-coloured substance, giving to the teeth
a peculiarly yellow colour.
Second,—A dark brown, or nearly black substance.
Third,—A greenish substance, lodged more particularly
on the flat surfaces of the incisores, and on the canini ; no-
ticed mostly on the teeth of children and young persons
and, as far as my observation extends, I have thought that this
matter appears to be an exciting cause of caries. In exam-
ining the teeth of individuals, whenever I have noticed this
greenish matter, I have most usually remarked the presence
of caries.
Fourth,—Tartar, or Zufa. This substance, perhaps from
a fancied analogy to the tartar of wine-barrels, has been
termed Tartar. It is quite doubtful whether it is a directly
exciting cause of caries, but indirectly, by causing disease in
the soft parts upon which it impinges, and thereby vitiating
