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92 Diseases of the Teeth.
some beverage, or articles of luxury, can have any material
influence upon the teeth.
QUACK NOSTRUMS,
As " dentrifices and tooth pastes for whitening and preserv-
ing the teeth," do whiten them by decomposing the ena-
mel, and are injurious.
Lotions '' for whitening the teeth, &c." Much of the fash-
ionable lotion, sold under the name of the Chlorine Tooth
Wash, is very injurious to the teeth, from the action of the
muriatic acid, which enters so largely into its composition, and
should never be used. We have seen lotions, sold with the
highest recommendations as preservatives of the teeth, act so
powerfully as to destroy the enamel of a tooth immersed in it,
in two or three hours.
MECHANICAL AGENTS.
Dentrifices of too gritty or cutting a na'ure, or not suffi-
ciently pluverized. However, little injury is done to the
teeth, by this class, for most persons hardly keep their teeth
free of tartar and foreign matter, and if they do not, it is cer-
tain they cannot wear the enamel ; besides, it is of too hard a
nature to be easily worn. It is a great fault with many per-
sons, that they do not use a dentrifice as freely as they ought,
if they use one at all, for fear of wearing out their teeth.
Dead teeth and stumps, and decomposing artificial teeth.
All these are highly injurious to the adjoining teeth, as is
shown by the fact, that a tooth decaying on its side, is sure to
effect the adjoining tooth, by the acrimonious matter generated
in the decaying tooth.
Lastly, of a crowded state of the teeth, and irregularities of
the teeth.
The incisores, cuspidati and bicuspides of the upper jaw,
when crowded together, or irregular, for the want of early and
proper dental assistance, are very liable to decay. Mr. Bell