The Ottawa free trader., 1849-08-31
Written for The Onnwn Free Trader.
The Teeth.
NO. IL.

NJ. IL.
The human teeth are, when full,
developed, thirty-two in number, il
the adult: consisting of four incis.
ors, or cutting teeth; two cuspids,
or eye.teeth four bicuspids; ant
six molars--in each jaw. This mum.
Der is liable to variation some o
the teeth, in instances, not making
their appearance at all and Others
not until very late in life. The de.
ciduous teeth are sometimes seen tc
remain until old age; and then,
when they decay, and the second Sc,
come on, we hear Of a third set
an anomaly not certainly known to
have existed in single instance.
! In children, of from three to four
years old, what are called the decid-
uous teeth, are twenty in number
this set being destitute of the bicus-
pids and third molars.
The first dentition or cutting teeth
-asit is called-occurs, most usu-
ally, between the ages of six months
and three years. Children have,
however, been born in possession of
teeth; and men have lived through
life without them, entirely. An in
stance of this kind was seen in the
coasting trade Of New York, where
the man could easily eat the hardest
buiscuit with his gums.
The period of cutting teeth is per-
haps the most critical in life; very
large proportion Of the children born
dying within its continuance. Some
of the complaints produced by cut
ting teeth are salvation, the thrush,
commissions, vomiting, diarrhna, etc.
There is always at this period, nat
urdly, a considerable irritation in
y the mouth, which sometimes extends
through the alimentary canal. Still,
it should not, ordinarily, be interfer-
fered with, more than any other
healthy process Of nature. Care
should be taken to prevent the irri-
tation becoming general in its effect
on the constitution. The child should
have exercise in the fresh air the
bowels should be kept pen-with
frequent, yet light, nourishment.
The use of the cold bath, after which
the child should be rubbed until
warm, would be an excellent meas
ure; and should be continued daily,
until the UisdOm teeth have made
their appearance and at this period
not abandoned. At times, much
trouble and pain may be avoided by
lancing the gums to give passage to
the teeth; and this operation should
always be performed when there is
mot an absorption of the gums, which
is usually indicated by slight swell
ing and whitish color. These teeth
are usually all in use by the fortieth
month. After this period, the roots
are gradually absorbed in success
ion, as the gums of the second set
increase in size and hardness. When
thisis not TIL case, eXcruciating pain
is the result, of which | have lately
seen striking instance. The roots
disappearing, the crowns become
loose and hanging only by the gums,
are easily removed.
The teeth of the second dentition
beingnow formed or forming, should
receive constant attention. In this,
? as in the first set, the mother may in &.
aucnce the regularity Of the teeth, by
pressing them into their proper pla-
ces many times day. On their regu-
larity many causes may have inllu-
ence. Large, small or symmetrical
teeth are seen dependent somewhat
upon hereditary influences. GA
mother having two of the incisors,
and her husband four the regular
number, their children had three
only, being a medium between the
two" Every one must have noticed
in some families, very large, or
small, or white teeth. Regular tenn
perate habits have also a favorable
influence. | have now before me
/ drawings illustrative of this fact.
One of them is Of cows teeth, fed
on natural food, and, Of course, there
is a healthy denture throughout
The other is one fed on still slops
and the teeth are miserably decay
ed. DR.. Burdell observes that in the
animals still fed on hot slops, neal
New York, the teeth are mucl
Ray. than those more distant, an.
De-. dems Are fed nearly cold. 81
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