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OF THE EXTRANEOUS MATTER UPON THE TEETH. 213
a property of the matter, secreted, simply as inanimate matter
the remedy of course becomes either mechanical or che-
mical.
The mechanical remedies are friction, filling and pick-
ing. The first is sufficient, when the Teeth are only
beginning to be discoloured ; or, when already clean, they
may be thus kept clean. Various are the methods pro-
posed ; to wash them with cold water, and at the same
time to rub them with a piece of cloth on the fore-finger,
has been thought sufficient by some ; others have recom-
mended the dust of a burnt cork, burnt bread, &c. with a
view to act with more power on the adventitious matter,
than what can be appUed by the means of a soft brush or
cloth.
In cases where this incrustation has been more consider-
able, powders of various kinds have been employed, such
as tartar, bole, and many others.
Cream of tartar is often used, which at the same time
that it acts mechanically, has likewise a chymical power,
and dissolves this matter.
Other mechanical means are instruments to pick, scrape
and file off the calcareous earth ; these should only be made
use of when it is in large quantities, and with great caution, as
the Teeth may be somewhat loose ; or, a part of the Tooth
may be broken off with the incrustation.
The chymical means are solvents : these are either
alkalies or acids ; the alkaline salt will answer very well
early in the disease ; for the crust of the first stage con-
sists chiefly of mucus, which the alkali will remove very
readily : but it should not be used too freely, as it rather
softens the Gums, and makes them extremely tender.
Acids are also employed with success, as they dissolve
the earth, but are attended with this disadvantage, that
they act with more force upon the Tooth itself, dissolving
part of it, which is to be avoided, if possible ; for no part
of a sound Tooth can be spared.
OF THE EXTRANEOUS MATTER UPON THE TEETH. 213
a property of the matter, secreted, simply as inanimate matter
the remedy of course becomes either mechanical or che-
mical.
The mechanical remedies are friction, filling and pick-
ing. The first is sufficient, when the Teeth are only
beginning to be discoloured ; or, when already clean, they
may be thus kept clean. Various are the methods pro-
posed ; to wash them with cold water, and at the same
time to rub them with a piece of cloth on the fore-finger,
has been thought sufficient by some ; others have recom-
mended the dust of a burnt cork, burnt bread, &c. with a
view to act with more power on the adventitious matter,
than what can be appUed by the means of a soft brush or
cloth.
In cases where this incrustation has been more consider-
able, powders of various kinds have been employed, such
as tartar, bole, and many others.
Cream of tartar is often used, which at the same time
that it acts mechanically, has likewise a chymical power,
and dissolves this matter.
Other mechanical means are instruments to pick, scrape
and file off the calcareous earth ; these should only be made
use of when it is in large quantities, and with great caution, as
the Teeth may be somewhat loose ; or, a part of the Tooth
may be broken off with the incrustation.
The chymical means are solvents : these are either
alkalies or acids ; the alkaline salt will answer very well
early in the disease ; for the crust of the first stage con-
sists chiefly of mucus, which the alkali will remove very
readily : but it should not be used too freely, as it rather
softens the Gums, and makes them extremely tender.
Acids are also employed with success, as they dissolve
the earth, but are attended with this disadvantage, that
they act with more force upon the Tooth itself, dissolving
part of it, which is to be avoided, if possible ; for no part
of a sound Tooth can be spared.
