Page 956 - My FlipBook

966 DISEASES OF THE PERIDENTAL MEMBRANE.
tion. Especial care should be had in all cases to preserve as much of
the gum as possible, for upon that depends, for the most part, the
renewal of the lost tissue. The rule is that the destruction of
the gum is in any chronic case fatal to such restoration, the root
of the tooth remaining denuded as far as the gum has been de-
stroyed.
In all inflammations of the peridental membranes and gums originat-
ing in irritation from calculus, of whatever variety, or kept up by these
causes, the tendency is to speedy recovery after their removal, provided,
as has already been remarked, this is done before a certain stage of the
destructive process has been reached. This stage of the affection is
marked by a very distinct enlargement of what remains of the alveoli
of the teeth—the rim o1 the alveolus having already been lost by ab-
sorption—and the tlilcke 'j of the peridental membrane. In this case
the teeth loosen in their sockets and the peridental membrane becomes
profoundly changed in its character and qualities. But before this time
there is little else to do than to keep the teeth clean after once removing
all the crusts. There is usually seen an increased tendency to the
growth of the fungi of the mouth about the necks of the teeth during
the healing process, and this cause alone is very often sufficient mate-
rially to retard the cure. These should be carefully removed at least
twice a day for a time, using for the purpose a soft brush and some dis-
infectant lotion ; water strongly acidulated with lemon or orange, or
even water alone, will answer. The motion of the brush should always
be lengthwise of the teeth instead of across them, as is the manner of most
persons in cleaning the teeth ; this point is important, and. the patient
should be very carefully instructed in regard to it. The brush, used in
this way, will clean the teeth better, and at the same time injure the
inflamed gum less, than in any other way. In the greater number of
cases this is all that is required to complete the cure. But the operator
should keep every case ujider his care until it is quite well, for it will
often happen that some points will need attention that have seemed to
be doing well for a week or two, and examination will sIioav additional
calculus requiring removal.
In cases of long standing in which there has been considerable wast-
ing of the alveolus and general enlargement of tlie sockets of the teeth,
Avith thickening of the peridental niembrane, still more care should be
taken with the after-treatment. Much more time will be required for
the return of the tissues of the peridental membrane and gum to the
normal condition. Indeed, the normal condition of the parts will never
be completely restored. The case will^ usually recover, if at all, with
more or less of the root of the tooth denuded of peridental membrane
and gum, which tooth will ever after be more liable to deposits of cal-
culus it will, therefore, require more vigilance on the part of the
;
patient to keep it well after health is attained.
In many cases of calcic inflammation the tissues will be found in a
state of active inflammation, turgid, and much thickened. In this con-
dition I have found a from 2()-to-30-per-cent. solution of chloride
of zinc, applied carefully about the teeth, very effective in con-
stringing the gum and removing from the tissue the condition of