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Tartar of the Teeth. 153
OP THE OPERATION- FOR THE REMOVAL OP TARTAR
TERMED SCALING THE TEETH.
When tartar has collected upon the teeth in any quantity,
the instruments termed scaling instruments are the only proper
means for effecting its removal. The operation is to he perform-
ed in a very careful manner, and great pains taken to effect
the removal of every particle of foreign matter, or it will form
a nucleus, about which the tartar will again immediately col-
lect. Where the teeth are covered with large quantities of
tartar, many dentists recommend its removal, to be effected at
different times : we never saw an instance in which it was
not advisable and proper to remove the whole at one sitting.
Some dentists are in the habit of using acids, previously to
the operation of scaling, in order to soften the tartar. We do
not think this practice judicious. There is no difficulty in
removing the tartar with proper instruments. Some empirics
use acids after the operation of scaling, and term it "whiten-
ing the teeth :" this practice makes the teeth beautifully white,
therefore, people are pleased, and some think the dentist does
not do his duty or serve them as well as another, if he does
not "whiten the teeth." This practice cannot be too strongly
deprecated, for the acid produces the effect, by decomposing
a portion of the enamel, and leaves the teeth very rough,
which if left in this state, will soon become more black and
filthy than they were before. Some persons are in the habit of
having their teeth regularly scaled or cleaned once or twice a
year: this practice must prove injurious. It is much better to
keep the teeth in such a state, that they will not require scaling
at all ; for it is in the power of every one, (if we except a few
rare cases where the teeth are irregular,) to keep his teeth
perfectly clear, if he furnish himself with the proper appa-
ratus.
* " In the course of my practice, I have seldom been obliged to repeat
an instrumental cleaning of the teeth, after once having restored them to
Tartar of the Teeth. 153
OP THE OPERATION- FOR THE REMOVAL OP TARTAR
TERMED SCALING THE TEETH.
When tartar has collected upon the teeth in any quantity,
the instruments termed scaling instruments are the only proper
means for effecting its removal. The operation is to he perform-
ed in a very careful manner, and great pains taken to effect
the removal of every particle of foreign matter, or it will form
a nucleus, about which the tartar will again immediately col-
lect. Where the teeth are covered with large quantities of
tartar, many dentists recommend its removal, to be effected at
different times : we never saw an instance in which it was
not advisable and proper to remove the whole at one sitting.
Some dentists are in the habit of using acids, previously to
the operation of scaling, in order to soften the tartar. We do
not think this practice judicious. There is no difficulty in
removing the tartar with proper instruments. Some empirics
use acids after the operation of scaling, and term it "whiten-
ing the teeth :" this practice makes the teeth beautifully white,
therefore, people are pleased, and some think the dentist does
not do his duty or serve them as well as another, if he does
not "whiten the teeth." This practice cannot be too strongly
deprecated, for the acid produces the effect, by decomposing
a portion of the enamel, and leaves the teeth very rough,
which if left in this state, will soon become more black and
filthy than they were before. Some persons are in the habit of
having their teeth regularly scaled or cleaned once or twice a
year: this practice must prove injurious. It is much better to
keep the teeth in such a state, that they will not require scaling
at all ; for it is in the power of every one, (if we except a few
rare cases where the teeth are irregular,) to keep his teeth
perfectly clear, if he furnish himself with the proper appa-
ratus.
* " In the course of my practice, I have seldom been obliged to repeat
an instrumental cleaning of the teeth, after once having restored them to
