Where this is the case,
that part which is next the gums should be first removed, that
they may be thoroughly relieved. This being accomplished,
the patient should be directed to use some proper application
ETIQUETTE. «»
to the gums for a week, which will tend to their eventual resto-
ration. When the gums are relieved and the teeth show signs
of fastening, the remaining tartar should be removed, either at
one or more sittings, until the teeth are perfectly freed from it
and no roughness is felt to the patient's tongue. After the
tartar is removed the teeth assume a dark lead color, which
only disappears after the use of tooth powder for some time
once or twice a day. "The best tooth powders," says an emi-
nent dentist (Mr. Snell), "are, in my opinion, composed of such
ingredients as the following: Prepared chalk, finely levigated,
three drachms; Spanish soap, one drachm; Florentine iris-root,
one drachm; carbonate of soda, one drachm. I have often
found, after the teeth have been perfectly cleaned with in-
struments, that if constantly brushed once or twice a day with
this powder they are kept free from tartar. Tinctures and
other fluid applications to the gums are often extremely useful
when they are in an unhealthy state. As a simple application
to the mouth I know of no better thing than soap liniment.
Where the teeth are not much disposed to collect tartar or be-
come discolored they may be kept in good order by this alone,
without the aid of any powder."
"The various opinions which are held relative to the shape
and texture of tooth-brushes would lead us to suppose that
the matter was a much more important one that it really is.
There are even patent tooth brushes. A brush too hard is as
useless, from having no elasticity, as one too soft is from its
having no firmness; a medium between the two should be
chosen. The brush should be used as much as possible in a
perpendicular direction, not as regards the brush, but the
teeth."
Metal tooth picks have a pernicious effect on the teeth, and
those made from quills irritate the gum; indeed, the only
safe article to use is a piece of cane or slip of light wood cut
to a nice point.
To the toilette a dental mirror will be found a useful appen-
dage. It is usually of an oval shape, formed of either glass or
steel, cased in silver, and so small as to admit of being placed
in the mouth without the slightest inconvenience. Those con-
cave mirrors made expressly for the use of dentists are the best.
M lEttQUETTE.
and are easily obtained. By shifting the mirror as occasioil
requires a complete view is obtained of those parts of the teeth
which, even in the most regular and well-proportioned mouth,
cannot be seen, either by the individual herself on examina-
tion in the dressing glass or by another person on looking into
the mouth itself. For the individual, the dressing glass must,
of course, be combined with the use of the dental mirror.
Thus the complete cleanliness and general condition of every
part of the teeth is ascertained, and the first indication of dis-
ease is instantly discoverable; consequently, the means of rem-
edy will have all the advantage of early application.
Page 47
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Where this is the case, that part which is next the gums should be first removed, that they may be thoroughly relieved. This being accomplished, the patient should be directed to use some proper application
ETIQUETTE.
to the gums for a week, which will tend to their eventual restoration. When the gums are relieved and the teeth show signs of fastening, the remaining tartar should be removed, either at one or more sittings, until the teeth are perfectly freed from it and no roughness is felt to the patient's tongue. After the tartar is removed the teeth assume a dark lead color, which only disappears after the use of tooth powder for some time once or twice a day. "The best tooth powders," says an eminent dentist (Mr. Snell), "are, in my opinion, composed of such ingredients as the following: Prepared chalk, finely levigated, three drachms; Spanish soap, one drachm; Florentine iris-root, one drachm; carbonate of soda, one drachm. I have often found, after the teeth have been perfectly cleaned with instruments, that if constantly brushed once or twice a day with this powder they are kept free from tartar. Tinctures and other fluid applications to the gums are often extremely useful when they are in an unhealthy state. As a simple application to the mouth I know of no better thing than soap liniment. Where the teeth are not much disposed to collect tartar or become discolored they may be kept in good order by this alone, without the aid of any powder."
"The various opinions which are held relative to the shape and texture of tooth-brushes would lead us to suppose that the matter was a much more important one that it really is. There are even patent tooth brushes. A brush too hard is as useless, from having no elasticity, as one too soft is from its having no firmness; a medium between the two should be chosen. The brush should be used as much as possible in a perpendicular direction, not as regards the brush, but the teeth."
Metal tooth picks have a pernicious effect on the teeth, and those made from quills irritate the gum; indeed, the only safe article to use is a piece of cane or slip of light wood cut to a nice point.
To the toilette a dental mirror will be found a useful appendage. It is usually of an oval shape, formed of either glass or steel, cased in silver, and so small as to admit of being placed in the mouth without the slightest inconvenience. Those concave mirrors made expressly for the use of dentists are the best.
ETIQUETTE.
and are easily obtained. By shifting the mirror as occasioil requires a complete view is obtained of those parts of the teeth which, even in the most regular and well-proportioned mouth, cannot be seen, either by the individual herself on examination in the dressing glass or by another person on looking into the mouth itself. For the individual, the dressing glass must, of course, be combined with the use of the dental mirror. Thus the complete cleanliness and general condition of every part of the teeth is ascertained, and the first indication of disease is instantly discoverable; consequently, the means of remedy will have all the advantage of early application.