The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-16

follows:
 ''It is not my intention to try to de- scribe the etio1ogy of .Pyorrhea Alveo- larfs, or to go into any detail as to this disease of the dentina1 tissues. Such discussions are for the members of the dental profession, and, although of interest to us, we are not qualified to scientifically discuss this disease; but as our work brings us in contact with these cases we have a field of service in aiding the dental surgeon in the prevention of this disease that is important, also in it's control as well, after surgical treatment by the dentist
 T think it is we'll conceded by most observing dentists that pyorrhea a1ve- olaris is seldom, if ever, found in mouths that are we'll cared for. By well cared for mean having the cal careous deposits around the necEs of the teeth removed at frequent inter Vals, keeping the surface of the teeth well polished, free from stains and ac- cretlons and being reasonably faithful in the home toilet of the mouth in the thorough brushing of the gums and teeth and in the removal of food de- bris.
 Some who have been afflicted with this diseased condition have informed me that they went regularly to a den t1st twice a year to have their teeth cleaned and that they were always very particular in brushing their teeth, yet have developed this diseased condition in their mouths. From the amount of tartar found around the necks of the teeth of these patients, | especially upon the approximal sur faces, it would lead me to believe either that the patient had been l thoughtlessly mistaken as to the fair 1y frequent periods of cleaning or else l that the dentist had been pressed for l time and was unable to thoroughly go | nf he 1 T have in mind a man who has | been practicing dentistry for over 50 years, and who for many years has 1 been exceedingly careful regarding the removal of all lime deposits around the necks of the teeth of his patients, 1 thoroughly polishing the surface of the enamel and always urging the faithful use of the tooth brush. This l man states that the only cases of pyor- rhea alveolaris he sees in his practice are in the mouths of new patients. we have every reason to believe | that if we can induce patients to come | for treatment at intervals not greater 1 than three months-two months in- 1 tCrvals being even better-to have all deposits carefully and thoroughly re- moved and the enamel surfaces thor touyhly polished, beiny faithful in the hone care of the mouth as to the tooth brush, not only on the teeth but upon the gums well, the use of the floss silk between the teeth and the rinsing iof the mouth. with lime water, that Epyorrhea alveolaris is absolutely pre- ventable.
 When the public fully realizes the truth !o& this tatement, there will be a much greater demand for our services in aiding to prevent this much-dreaded IAcondition.
 II When patients afflicted with py-
 orrhea present themselves to the ooc-
 tor, the case is usually first referred to me for the removal Of all deposits
 around the necks of the teeth and a thorough polishing of all exposed
 surfaces. Careful instructions are given at the wash bowl regarding the brushing of the teeth and gums and
 Tossing, and, as the gums at this
 time are not in a soft and congested
 condition, special emphasis is laid
 upon the fact that the gums must
 not be brushed too strenuously or
 with much pressure for fear of abrad-
 ing the tender surfaces and making
 them sore. After the patient has
 had such preliminary treatment and has been given, say a weeks time tc get rid of the congestion around the borders, of the gums, by faithfully
 plying the tooth brush, the work o1 the doctor in his surgical operation or the roots of the teeth is, greatly facil-
 tated.
 After several sittings necessary tc
 thoroughly complete the Instruments
 ton the case is again referred to me 2 for another drill at the wash bow
 with the tooth brush. When the lime l deposits have been thoroughly re-
 moved from the roots of the teeth, an6
 the gums artificially stimulated by
 this system of rotary brushing, the
 pus soon disappears, the pockets heal
 up and the case resolves itself into . one of what we might term control. Such mouths are apparently cured . and if the patient will follow a defin ! ite system of prohy1axis, there doe:
 seem to be any return of the disease
 However, believe that these patient.
 are far more susceptible to the diseast
 than are others with unsanitary : mouths who have not yet developed it '"To sum up our work as hygien
 ists, is very important in thep reven
 ton of pyorrhea alveolaris. It is i'm portant to clear the field for operation 5 for our employer, and after he ha! finished with his surgical treatment
 our instructions and training regard ing the home care of the mouth anC , thes ubsequent surface treatments fo. < the control of the disease are equa1l! mportant. I think we cannot em phasize too strongly in regard to thu . home care of the mouth-the patien should be impressed with the fac l. that the major element of control lie with himself, and not with the hygien ist. ''In presenting this paper it is hoped that there may be some thoughts tha may prove helpful to the members o l our association:
 . - K.U1