The Washington times., 1915-12-13

wisdom. II pray thee, peace: ]
will be flesh and blood. for there
was never yet philosopher that could
endure toothache patiently"
Toothache Is often endured tolerably
well, even by those who are not stOics.
Those who pay too much attention to a
pain feel the agonizing darts thou
sandfolI more than persons whose
minds are entirely taken up with other
matters, which act as counter-irritants.
The destruction of the pulp Of tooth
gives rise to most cases Of tootache.
Lowered vitality of the tooth from in
fections. maladies, blows, accidents.
pyorrhoea and visits too few or far he
tween to a good dentist cause the death
of the pulp, which products toothaclie.
Death of tooth pulp is due usually TO
decay. When the protecting covering
of dentin becomes so thin as to trans
init readily sensations of heat and cold
to the pulp and to allow irritating
fluids TO reach It. the delicately or
terror is quickly irritated. and conscs-
ton follows more or less rapidly. 1t Is
sometimes difficult to make an accurate
diagnosis between an actual exposure
of the pulp and a condition that APP
proachcs actual exposure. The symp-
toms merge into one another. and the
idoayncrasics OF the patient make II
quite impossible at times to determine
Just how far the trouble hes gone.
Relief For Toothache.
The pain Is frequently greater before
exposure OF the pulp has actually taken
place. Irritation causes congestion with
distention OF the small blood-vessels
| and confinement within the unyielding
walls OF the pulp-chamber produces
great pressure and gives rise to that
| Intense form Of suffering known as
Jumping" tootache.
There is no absolute remedy for pulp
| irritation, with or without exposure, ex-
cent such treatment as can be provided
| by the dentist 1t may happen. how
| ever. that il is inconvenient or mpos-
| sibie to consult dentist at once. and
In such instances temporary relief will
| sometimes be found in saturating a bit
, OF cotton with oil of cloves or oil of
| peppermint and placing ii In the cavity
| Of the tooth. The cavity should be
washed out first as carefully as possible
with warm water. The following pre-
| scription used in the same manner as
| oil OF cloves. has been found enectlNe
| In some cases:
| Essence peppermint .........12 dram
! Choral hydrat .................. l cram
Camphorae .................... uidih
| II Is well to remember that toothache
I from an exposed pulp will recur again
| and again until the tooth Is properly
| treated by dentist.
! Problems of Dead Teeth.
| Another excruc iating!y painful form
OF toothache is that which occurs after
the tooth is dead. 1t is always a sur
prise to a patient to learn that deai
tooth can give nain. Strictly speaking
the source Of trouble in the cases Is TO
in the tooth itself, but in the mem
brane surrounding the root and invest
ing the root socket, which becomes IN
tianed usually from some septic intu
cnce. The first symptom Is fealns
of discomfort. and perhaps, a sliGh
soreness in the tooth The tooth elon
gates and the pain increases. The ral1
is usually greater at night and sleep "
INTERRUPTED. Swelling is noticed atoUnt
the root OF the tooth, and may cNtcn'
over the entire face on the are;to'
side and to the neck as well
! II. before this exaggerated conoluol
is reached. the tooth is drilled INTO
discharge of pus through the opeEini
so made will sometimes be seen. IL
these fortunate cases the reilel tTo;,
other cases the abscess which M
formed at the end of the root Will ~
crease in size until the pus finds IT
way to the surface OF the Eum an I.o
UlstfdI Stu. h'
gradually assume their normal size an
appearance, and the tooth NAV CHHs
no more trouble until lowered Nltahl
or exposure to cold or some other cauS
starts ur another inflammation.
1t is unsafe TO take any risk win
dad tooth. If neglected, 1t ma
cause disease of the antrum. which /
likely to affect the eyes, ears, or IN
glands OF the neck. In children dea
teeth are. perhaps, among the mos
common causes OF enlarged and dis
cased glands. which so frequently I"
uuirc removal by surgeon.
Almost everything in the nature q
a racial pain that cannot be easli
located Is attributed to neuralgia. an
either morphine or some equ@ll
harmful drug is prescribed for its IL
lief Sometimes the patient is ad
viscd TO bear the pain in the hope &
its ahating without treatment. Man
Of these arc intermittent, end the pf
tient thanking heaven for he inte'
missions. resigns himself to lifo
time OF suffering.
As matter of observation. net
ralgic disturbances will often !
found, practically, to have the
origin in a diseased tooth. In a