The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-07-19
MAINE DENTAL ASSOCIATION.
Last Day OF the Annual Session.

The morning session yesterday began al Q
o'clock.
The name of Dr. Il. G. Danforth of Norridge-
wock was presented and he was elected q
member OF the society. The name of Dr. It.
L. Wood of Eastport was proposed for MEM
bership.
The following list of officers was elected for
the ensuing year:
President--Dr. e. G. Bryant, Pittsfield.
Vice Presdent--Dr. j. w. Curtis Bruins
wick.
Secretary--Dr. o. B. Bran, Portland.
Treasurer-Dr. &c. j. Roberts, Augusta.
Librarian-Dr. ID. w. Fellows, Portland.
Executive Committee-Drs G. M. Twitchell,
Fairfield; Il. Bacon, Portland; G. Il. Eames,
Bucksport; ID. w. Fellows, Portland; 9. P.
Sawyer, Dexter.
The subject Of physiological relationship Of
the teeth was presented by DR.. E. j. Roberts,
of Augusta, who said that the relation of the
teeth to the sustaining of life and health be-
comes more important factor than at first
thought is usually imagined. Food taken in
the mouth not only needs a thorough COM
minution, but thorough insalivation. The
saliva contains an alkaline solvent which bet
ter fits it to unite with the gastric juices of
the stomach. Also the lime salts contained in
the sali-a are required to meet the demands
OF the osseous system. Thus properly prepared
1t is duly fitted to unite with the hillary secre-
tions, and TO be absorbed by the lacteals and
carried by the lymphatics into the large vein
OF venous blood, and from the heart is taken
to the lungs to be oxygenated 1t is thence
taken again to the heart to be pumped
through the system, whence the old tissues are
burned out and new ones built up. Thus life
and good health are sustained, good nutri.
tion Is preserved, the teeth themselves
sharing in the result. The preservation Of
the teeth is of the highest importance. The
moiar teeth need TO be well preserved for the
sake OF proper mastication. Then patients
who are solicitous in preserving front teeth for
the sake of good expression of the face, will
ind that the most economical method is to
keep the back teeth to take the force of the
bite and saving il from the front teeth.
DR.. Eames said that exercise of the teeth as
In mastication is necessary to their proper de-
velopment. Decay in teeth of children and
the poisonous products of Inflammation are
absorbed into the circulation and go to supply
the wants of the permanent teeth. Also at
every inhalation fine PARTICLES Of these sub
stances are taken into the lungs producing an
irritation which may lead TO serious conse-
quences.
DIR. Fillebrown followed, tracing diseases
which follow, or are produced by deoayed
teeth, and especially those that tend towards
consumption.
The discussion upon anasthetics and their
administrations was general and interesting,
as it gave the results of office practice and ex-
perence. The agents discussed were, ether
chloroform, bromide of ethyl and nitrous
oxide. Methods and results were presented
by the greater number present.
BY vote of the society Portland was selected
as the place of the next meeting.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was opened by an
essay by DIR. j. III. Lombard of Brunswick,
followed by paper on alveolar abscess by DR.
G. ". Davis Of Augusta, both of which papers
were well presented and fully discussed by
members present.
DR.. G. NJ. Twitchell of Fairfield presented
an interesting essay on sPyorrhea Alveolaris' .
This disease, he claimed, is not the combna-
ton of several, as has been taught or the Gull
mnation of any, but should be treated as a
distinct disease, even though its presence be
indicated only by the slightest deposit at the
necks of the teeth. The many diseases of the
mouth and gums were touched upon, and it
was clearly shown how, nearly, if not quite all
deDce of Pyorrh@a Alyeolaris.
After tracing the progress OF the disease from
the first line of deposit until the entire alveolar
ridge becomes absorbed, the teeth loose, and
discharging fetid matter, the speaker consid-
cred some of the many causes. The greatest
of these is want of attention to the cleanliness
of the mouth. The use Of strong drinks and
tobacco was declared to be provoking causes,
because they produce an abnormal condition of
the mouth and gums, and render them less
obi Ia tct h nskn l. IL
not only resulted in the entire loss of the teeth
but in the destruction of the bones of the face,
all brought about by neglect ON the part of
either the dentist or patient. People neglect
to consult their dentist until the disease has
progressed far enough so that the gums bleed
in brushing the teeth and pus oozes from
about the necks of the teeth upon
the slightest pressure. OF all diseases
which the dentist is called upon to treat, none
are more filthy in their discharges, or more in
furious to the person, than this, and none
yields more readily TO intelligent treatment.
Strong words of condemnation were uttered
against the practice OF extracting teeth that
could possibly be saved. Ii your dentist is
willing and ready at all times to advise the ex-
traction Of troublesome teeth, the best thing
to do is to consult some one else, for today
something more is demanded. A higher value
should be put on these organs. The health, as
well as the comfort and happiness OF the per-
son, depends upon their preservation in
healthy condition.
The prevention of this, and all diseases of
the mouth and teeth, lies in keeping the en-
tire surface of the teeth free from all deposit,
and the mouth in healthy condition, the
cure in visiting the family dentist at once that
he may remove all foreign substances from
and about the teeth, and by proper therapeu-
tic remedies restore the parts.
Even in the advanced stages. after the teeth
become loose, and the roots exposed by the
absorption of the dental sockets. new bone will
form. the taath nAcOma firm. and saved for
years through the treatment indicated.