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150 Tartar of the Teeth.
these points : it occasionally obstructs these ducts, so as tq
produce ranula, or a swelling caused by the accumulation of
the saliva.
Almost every person is subject to the formation of tartar, in
in some, this disposition is so great
a greater or less degree :
that the teeth cannot be kept clean and free of it, without the
frequent use of a proper tooth brush and dentifrice ; in others
it is so small that little attention is required.
The formation of tartar is much influenced by the state of
the system. During the continuance of any febrile disease,
the secretory organs of the whole body are deranged and do
not perform their functions as in health ; the mouth and teeth
often become loaded with a thick fur, or inspissated mucus of
a yellowish or brown color ; the mouth tastes extremely disa-
greeable to the patient himself, and his breath is very offensive
to those in attendance : under such circumstances, nothing is
more delightful to the patient than to have the mouth cleansed
some physicians recommend solutions of the mineral acids for
this purpose ; but the use of such remedies must prove very
injurious to the teeth, and therefore should never be used.
When the tartar is first secreted, it is quite soft like slime,
and may now easily be removed with a tooth brush and pow-
der, but if neglected, it soon becomes concrete and hard. Most
persons, if they will observe when they rise in the morning
after sleep, will find their teeth more or less covered with a
viscid yellowish mucus ; this is tartar, which, if not removed by
the daily use of the tooth brush, will adhere about those parts
of them, not subject to friction during mastication, and in time
collect in large quantities.
Tartar is of a yellowish or buff color, especially that
which collects about the molares ; that which is seen about
the incisores is often of a brown color. The deposition of this
substance cannot be prevented by any medicines, as it depends
upon the state of the saliva ; but its accumulation may gene-
rally be very easily prevented by carefully brushing and
washing the teeth every morning.
150 Tartar of the Teeth.
these points : it occasionally obstructs these ducts, so as tq
produce ranula, or a swelling caused by the accumulation of
the saliva.
Almost every person is subject to the formation of tartar, in
in some, this disposition is so great
a greater or less degree :
that the teeth cannot be kept clean and free of it, without the
frequent use of a proper tooth brush and dentifrice ; in others
it is so small that little attention is required.
The formation of tartar is much influenced by the state of
the system. During the continuance of any febrile disease,
the secretory organs of the whole body are deranged and do
not perform their functions as in health ; the mouth and teeth
often become loaded with a thick fur, or inspissated mucus of
a yellowish or brown color ; the mouth tastes extremely disa-
greeable to the patient himself, and his breath is very offensive
to those in attendance : under such circumstances, nothing is
more delightful to the patient than to have the mouth cleansed
some physicians recommend solutions of the mineral acids for
this purpose ; but the use of such remedies must prove very
injurious to the teeth, and therefore should never be used.
When the tartar is first secreted, it is quite soft like slime,
and may now easily be removed with a tooth brush and pow-
der, but if neglected, it soon becomes concrete and hard. Most
persons, if they will observe when they rise in the morning
after sleep, will find their teeth more or less covered with a
viscid yellowish mucus ; this is tartar, which, if not removed by
the daily use of the tooth brush, will adhere about those parts
of them, not subject to friction during mastication, and in time
collect in large quantities.
Tartar is of a yellowish or buff color, especially that
which collects about the molares ; that which is seen about
the incisores is often of a brown color. The deposition of this
substance cannot be prevented by any medicines, as it depends
upon the state of the saliva ; but its accumulation may gene-
rally be very easily prevented by carefully brushing and
washing the teeth every morning.
