The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1923-04-07
Health Talks

By E. S. WEBER, D. D. S.

BY E. s. WEBER, d. d. S.
Pyorrhea is one of the most vital
subjects in Dentistry. 1t is a dis
ease that has done a great deal of
harm to mankind through, all the
ages. Until recent years little was
known of this disease, its causes, it's
symptoms, or its dangerous tenden-
cies. Today there are many methods
Of treatment and good results are be-
ing obtained, but none of them bring
about an absolute cure, because there
is no absolute cure for pyorrhea in its
advance stages. It can be checked,
however, by treating the disease when
the early stages are apparent, but if
neglected after treatment the condi-
ton will return and perhaps in a
more violent form.
Pyorrhea is such an enormous sub
ject that it would be impossible for
me to relate to you all the facts con-
corning it. So l am going to tell you
a little about its symptoms, it's
causes, it's affects, and what it is.
Pyorrhea is a disease of the gums
and peridental membrane. It begins
by swelling of the gums, followed by
liberation of the epithelial surface
(the outside tissue of the gums) a
gradual invasion of the peridental
membrane Ga thin tissue which at
taches the root Of the tooth to the
bone socket; it also acts as a cushion
and protects the tooth from chock) L,
the obstruction of the peridental men,
brane by a suppurative process, death
to the cementum and resorption of
the. alveolar process.
Two agents are responsible for
this disease namely, bacteria and pre-
disposing causes Qocal and constitu-
tionaD.
The local causes are as follows
Trauma (injury) to the gums, in
jury to the epithelium, accumulation
of dental tartar and calculous around
the teeth. Dental tartar always con-
tains the bacteria called Leptothrix
Buccalis. Malfitting crowns and fill
ings; filings projecting beyond cav
.ity margin ;edges of poorly fitted
crown bands and the putrefaction Of
food, ETC., collection in the places
from which cement has washed out;
gum everything cavity margins; bruis-
ing of the gum margin by food
crowded between teeth and removed
by tooth-picks; the fermentation of
such food; the mechanical action of
tooth-picks or floss silk improperly
crowded upon the gum margin; pro-
jecting edges Of artificial crowns or
bits of cement used in their cementa-
ton; toobrush bristles, rings of rub
Der or of torn rubber dam or liga-
lures left in position; rubber or tape
wedges forced into the gums; the
crowding back of the gum by legation
which produces .ischemia for hours;
improper contact of the edges Of
plates or orthodontic appliances about
the necks of the teeth; injury inflicted
by rubber dam clamps, wedges, and
the like.
The constitution predisposing caus-
or are as follows: E. .-....... -
Diabetus, Nephritis, Scurvey, Pal
lagra, and Sprue, are accompanied by
pyorrhea or Inflammation of the
gums, and also Pernicious ENEMA.
In addition to these diseases we have
poisons such as Mercury given at in
tervals will bring about suppuration,
and loss of the teeth. Lead and Phos-
phorus lead to poisoning of the gums.
Excessive smoking and the use of
alcoholic liquors produce irritative eff
fects, resulting in catarrhal stomati-
tbs and gingivitis. I might say that
all forms of marginal gingivitis Tin
Illumination of the gums) are to be
considered as incipient inf1ammations
which, let alone, may lead to deep
seated inflammation and tissue dis
tructions collectively called pyorrhea
alveolaris.
Pyorrhea can be a source of many
systemic ailments such as stomach
disorders, rheumatism, general ran
down condition (no pep). It can
cause infections in the mouth in the
form of assesses. infection of the
glands and lymphatics, foul breath,
resorption of the gums, alveolar pro-
cess, membranes, resulting in loosen
ing of the teeth and the loss Of them
entirely.
Pyorrhea is commonly called the
CONSUMPTION OF THE MOUTH"
It acts just the same as does the germ
that produces tuberculosis. When It
gets firm footing it is a HOPELESS
task to throw it off from the SYSTEM.
So it is very urgent that people
should be ever cautious and watch
their mouths just the same as you
do your body. Keep tit clean, free
from all deposits, leaky filings and
crowns, malftting filings and crowns,
and also free from broken down teeth,
etc.