Page 169 - My FlipBook

SALIVARY CALCULUS
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TARTAR OF THE TEETH,

Tartar of the teeth is an accumulation of ealcarious or
earthy matter about the teeth it is principally composed of
:
phosphate of lime and animal matter, and is secreted with the
saliva, or, it rather enters into the composition of this fluid,
and is deposited in layers about the teeth : it often collects
in great quantities if means be not used to prevent its accu-
mulation, so much so, that it occasionally incrusts the teeth,
especially if a tender tooth, prevent mastication on one
side of the mouth. There are cases on record of this sub-
stance having collected in such quantities, as to occasion pro-
minences in the cheek like tumors we have seen two or three
:
like cases: we have also seen a piece of tartar half the size of
a hen's egg.
Tartar is most apt to collect on the external side of the mo-
lares of the upper jaw, and on the inner side of the incisores
of the lower, because the salivary ducts enter the mouth at