Page 162 - My FlipBook

142 Scurvy in the Gums.
must perfectly understand the disease he is about to treat, or
he will only agravate it ; and that the fancy of the patient is
not to govern his treatment.
The first step recommended by dental writers of repute, in
the treatment of this disease, is the extraction of the dead
teeth and stumps, if there be any in the mouth ; and then, after
a few days, they recommend the teeth to be scaled, or freed
of tartar and other foreign matter. With all due respect to
their opinions, we beg leave to differ from them somewhat in
this matter.
We always make it our rule, first to cleanse the teeth in the
most perfect manner, if circumstances will permit. Some-
times, however, when the necks of the teeth are exquisitely
sensitive, (which is uot often the case.) the operation may not
be so perfectly performed, but great care should be taken to
remove every particle of tartar adhering to the necks of the
teeth, under the gums. This is an important point, and is
one great reason why some operators fail in their attempts to
cure the disease.
The next step, is the removal of every dead tooth and stump,
and every carious tooth which cannot be cured, from the
mouth. This being performed, all the local causes are remov-
ed and will be attended with the most beneficial results. An-
other advantage gained is that the patient during this opera-
tion, loses somewhat of the dread of the more formidable
operation of extraction. If the teeth are not first scaled, before
the extraction of the teeth, one grand cause of the disease
still remains, and it cannot be cured til! this is removed, con-
sequently the cure is needlessly very much delayed. The
local causes of the disease should always be removed at one
silting, if the patient can well bear it; then, after a few days,
a very remarkable improvement will have taken place.
During, and after the operations, the bleeding should be
encouraged by rincing the mouth frequently with warm
water.
There is much diversity opinion among dentists, as to the