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EKOSION OF THE TEETH. 49
other of the forms would seem to be impossible of production in
that way. For the present there does not seem to be sufficient
basis for any considerable discussion of this point.
Etiology of Erosion.
The cause of erosion is involved in the utmost obscurity.
Most observers seem to have drawn their opinions of its caus-
ation from the observation of the circumstances attending a
comparatively small number of cases coming under their per-
sonal observation. As the cases differ very materially in form
of affected areas and surroundings, these views differ with
the groups of cases observed. These opinions may be found in
the literature reaching back some two hundred years. I may,
perhaps, give a better and more condensed idea of this by group-
ing these opinions into classes, than by extensive quotations. I
will follow in some degree the order in which they have been
prominent in the literature. They may be thus summarized
(1.) Erosion is a result of faults in the formation of the
tissues during the growth of the teeth; conditions in after life
have little or nothing to do with it.
(2.) Erosion is caused by friction, most generally of the
tooth brush carrying some abrasive tooth powder.
(3.) Erosion is the result of the action of an acid in some
way, as yet unknown to us.
(4.) Erosion is the direct result of the action of a secretion
of certain diseased glands in the mucous membranes that lie
directly upon the areas being eroded. This secretion is gen-
erally claimed to be acid in its reaction.
(5.) Erosion is a process of absorption similar to that of
the removal of the roots of the deciduous teeth or the occasional
absorption of the roots of the permanent teeth. The absorbing
tissue is the diseased portion of mucous membrane found Ijdng
in the eroded areas.
(6.) Erosion is in some way the action of an acid, the devel-
opment of which is associated with the gouty diathesis.
(7.) Erosion is effected by alkaline fluids acting upon the
basic substance and setting the calcium salts free, which waste
away with a polished surface.
(8.) While dental caries is the result of the action of an
acid developed by microorganisms, erosion is effected by the
enzyme of the same or similar microorganisms.
In discussing briefly the principal points in these views, we
will find some overlapping more or less with each other, or
1
EKOSION OF THE TEETH. 49
other of the forms would seem to be impossible of production in
that way. For the present there does not seem to be sufficient
basis for any considerable discussion of this point.
Etiology of Erosion.
The cause of erosion is involved in the utmost obscurity.
Most observers seem to have drawn their opinions of its caus-
ation from the observation of the circumstances attending a
comparatively small number of cases coming under their per-
sonal observation. As the cases differ very materially in form
of affected areas and surroundings, these views differ with
the groups of cases observed. These opinions may be found in
the literature reaching back some two hundred years. I may,
perhaps, give a better and more condensed idea of this by group-
ing these opinions into classes, than by extensive quotations. I
will follow in some degree the order in which they have been
prominent in the literature. They may be thus summarized
(1.) Erosion is a result of faults in the formation of the
tissues during the growth of the teeth; conditions in after life
have little or nothing to do with it.
(2.) Erosion is caused by friction, most generally of the
tooth brush carrying some abrasive tooth powder.
(3.) Erosion is the result of the action of an acid in some
way, as yet unknown to us.
(4.) Erosion is the direct result of the action of a secretion
of certain diseased glands in the mucous membranes that lie
directly upon the areas being eroded. This secretion is gen-
erally claimed to be acid in its reaction.
(5.) Erosion is a process of absorption similar to that of
the removal of the roots of the deciduous teeth or the occasional
absorption of the roots of the permanent teeth. The absorbing
tissue is the diseased portion of mucous membrane found Ijdng
in the eroded areas.
(6.) Erosion is in some way the action of an acid, the devel-
opment of which is associated with the gouty diathesis.
(7.) Erosion is effected by alkaline fluids acting upon the
basic substance and setting the calcium salts free, which waste
away with a polished surface.
(8.) While dental caries is the result of the action of an
acid developed by microorganisms, erosion is effected by the
enzyme of the same or similar microorganisms.
In discussing briefly the principal points in these views, we
will find some overlapping more or less with each other, or
1
