Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-02-14

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makes its appearance till long after b'rh
The permanent teeth lie in line unde
the milk teeth, and it is from their growth
causing the gradual absorption Of the roo!
Of the first teeth, that the latter no longe
retain their hold of The jaw, but drop out AZ
soon as the others are ready to protrude
The changes in the condition Of the teet
it may be remarked in passing, indicate
clearly what species Of food nature has IN
tended for us at different ages. In earl y in
fancy, when no teeth exist, the mother
milk is the only nutriment required; and IN
proportion rs the teeth begin 10 appear, q
small addition of soft farinaccous food. pre-.
pared with milk, may be made with pro-
priety, and gradually increased. But it is
impossibleto look at the small jaw, mode
rate muscle, and imperfect teeth of early
life, without perceving that only the mlldes1
kinds and forms of animal food are yet ad-
missble, and that the diet ought to consist
essentially of soft and unirritating materials.
1t is not till the permanent teeth have ap-
peared that full proportion of the ordna'
nv kinds Of butcher-meat becomes either
beneficial or safe.
The teeth, being living parts, and at tho
same time endowed with mechanicaltinc
ton, are liable to injury in both capacities.
Being composed chiefly Of cathy matter,
such as phosphate and carbonate OF lime,
the contact Of strong acids decomposes
their substance, and leads to their rapid de-
cav. Hence, the whiteness produced by
acid tooth powders and washes is not less
deceitful than ruinous in its consequences;
and hence also great caution is necessary IN
swallowing the acid drops frequently pre-
scribed by the physician. which ought
never to be allowed to como in contact with
the teeth.
Being constantly moistened with saliva,
the teeth have tendency to become IN
crusted with the tartar, or earthly matter,
which it contains in solution, and which is
separated from it partly by the evaporation
of the more fluid constituents in breathing,
and partly by chymical decomposition. AS
this incrustation not only destroys the beauty
of the teeth, but also promotes their decay,
it becomes an object ofcare to remove !: as
soon as it is formed; and the most ctfectual
mode of doing so is to brush the teeth regu-
larly twice day-cspecially in the MORN
ing, when the quantity is grcatest-wth a
brush dipped in soft water, till every particle
is removed. The addition Of any soft i'm
palpable power will assist in the effect; but
nothing capable of acting chymically on the
teeth, or ofiniuring them by friction, ought
ever to be resorted to. Washing the mouth
after evory meal is also q good preser~etive.
When the teeth are not used for time,
and when digestion is impaired, the quantity
of tartar which accumulates on them is very
great Hence they are always most in:
crusscd in the morning, and in fevcrs ah4
other affections where no food is taken, and
the stomach is at the same time disordercd.
| have seen one instance in which thick
crust of tartar was removed by dentist in
the belief of IFS being diseased tooth
the tooth itself on which it was formed being
left in the jaw perfectly sound.
When the tartar is not duly removed, is
presence Injuries the teeth, irri'atcs the gum,
and generally leads, sooner or later, TO con.
siderable suffering. The regular washing
and brushing above mentioned ought, there.
fore, to be seduously practised at every
period Of life, and taught as duty to the
young. When digestion is very vigorous,
the health good, and the diet plain, and con-
tanning full proportion ofvegetable matter
the deposition Of tartar seems 10 be dlmsn.
ished, and tie teeth TO be naturally OF a
purcr white. Many rustics. and savagcs
thus possess teeth which would be envlcd
in town.
When digestion is impaired, and acidity
prevails in the stomach, the mucous secre'
tions in the mouth also become altered II
character. and by their incessant contact
iniure and even destroy the teeth. From
this cause we often see the teeth in Young
people in state Of complete decay. They
are in reality the subjects of cltymIcal dc'
composition, and eaten away by the morblt
sccretions of the mouth and hence, in sue!
cases, we generally find the individual com
planning ofheat and soreness of the tongue
gums, and mouth, and occasionally OF the
teeth being "set on edge.
Considered as Hring paris, the teeth re
Quirc some additional care. In that capa
city they arc exceedingly apt to suffer from
sudden changes of.emperature. Being from
their solidity rapid conductors of heat, theI
internal nerve speedily becomes affected b,
the alterations Of temperature 10 which the.
are fully exposed, both in taking food, an'
in the change from warm to acold a'mos
phcre. 1t is not an uncommon practice, TO
example, TO take glass Of cold wine o o
water Immediately after finishing platetu
of very hot soup; and it is quite usual It
take tea and coffee, and every kind ofmea'
as hot as they can possibly be swallowed-