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The Teeth: Peroxide

Peroxide of Hydrogen.-Peroxide of hydrogen is perhaps the most generally efficient and satisfactory allaround mouth wash that can be used. If the peroxide is too active in its effects and causes the sensation described by athletes as "spitting cotton," it may be followed by a solution of baking soda in water, which will neutralize its effects. This is a chemical substance consisting of dioxide of hydrogen diluted with water. It is a limpid, colorless liquid having a slightly acid taste. It is similar in composition to water charged with oxygen, which is readily set free when in contact with any substance for which it has an affinity.

Thus when applied to the mucous membrane, oxygen is set free, which actively attacks any foreign organic matter that may be present. It is used as a deodorant and an antiseptic. Peroxide of hydrogen is also used for restoring paintings that have become dim by the effects of sulphur on the white lead contained in the original paints; as a hair bleach and for bleaching ostrich feathers, ivory, silk, wool, and cotton.

It is used in medicine for the treatment of sores, sore throat, diphtheria, and as a mouth wash for bleaching the teeth and cleansing the gums and other mucous surfaces. It is at once the safest and most active substance known in medical science for these purposes, and its general use is to be highly recommended.

THE BREATH Foul breath is most often caused by decayed teeth, inflammation of the gums, or neglect to use the toothbrush. It may also be caused by catarrh or various diseases of the throat and stomach or other internal organs.

Substances recommended for purifying the breath are essence of camphor, chloride of lime, tincture of myrrh, chloride of soda, chloride of potash, carbolic acid, and various substances designed to heal and strengthen diseased gums. In addition, various perfumes are made up into pastilles to perfume the breath, but these are rarely effective in overcoming foul breath, are in themselves offensive to many, and their use may be obviated by suitable means to remove the cause.

One of the most effective remedies for foul breath is a mouth wash composed of a teaspoonful of concentrated solution of chloride of soda in a tumbler of water. This should be used as a gargle and also forced back and forth between the teeth.

Or, if foul breath is caused by stomach troubles, take 8 drops of the solution of chloride of soda in half a tumbler of soft water before breakfast.

Or dilute a small quantity of bromochloralum with ten times its own bulk in water and use as a gargle.

Or mix 20 drops of carbolic acid, 2 drams of alcohol, 6 ounces of salt water. Apply by moistening the toothbrush and afterwards dipping it into any good tooth powder. Rinse well with salt and water or other mouth wash.

Or use any good mouth wash containing chloride of potash, tannin or tannic acid, myrrh or Peruvian bark.

All of these are good for the gums and tend to prevent foul breath and like conditions.

Or chlorine water obtained from a druggist and employed as a wash or gargle is helpful. Use a tablespoonful to half a tumbler of water. Or use as a mouth wash 2 drops of concentrated solution of permanganate of potash in a glass of water, or moisten a bit of cotton with this solution and insert it in the cavity of the tooth.

Or to 4 ounces of fresh prepared limewater add 1 dram of Peruvian bark and use as a mouth wash night and morning.

Or swallow half a teaspoonful of powdered charcoal mixed with a little cold water. Or two or three charcoal tablets after each meal. Or use a tooth powder containing charcoal and one of the mouth washes mentioned above. If these are not efficacious, there is probably some organic disease, and a physician should be consulted.

Loose teeth or looseness of the teeth may be due to the effects of tartar, to diseases of the gum, old age, or other causes. Use as a remedy an astringent mouth wash of a teaspoonful of alum dissolved in a quart of soft water or any mouth wash containing myrrh, tannic acid, and similar substances. To Remove the Odor of Onions.- A cup of black coffee tends to remove the odor of onions from the breath.

Or parsley with vinegar is useful for this purpose.

Or 4 or 5 drops of the concentrated solution of chloride of soda taken in 2 tablespoonfuls of cold water.

Mouth Pastilles to Perfume the Breath.-Mix 6 drams each of powdered chocolate and pulverized coffee with 4 drams of prepared charcoal, 4 drams of pulverized lump sugar previously saturated with 4 drops of extract of vanilla, and make into lozenges with gum tragacanth dissolved in water. This may be used freely to purify the breath.

Or extract of licorice, 6 ounces; oil of cloves, 3 drams; oil of cinnamon, dram. Mix and divide into 2-grain pills and coat them.

Or place in a double boiler 1½ ounces of extract of licorice, 1½ ounces of water. When dissolved, stir in ounce of catechu, ounce of gum arabic. Continue a gentle heat, stirring constantly until all the ingredients are dissolved, then add 15 drops each of mastic, cascarilla, charcoal, and orris, all in powdered form. Beat the whole with an egg beater or otherwise until thoroughly mixed.

Remove from the fire and when nearly cold perfume with 10 drops each of oil of peppermint, oil of wintergreen, and 5 drops of essence of ambergris. Form into lozenges. These are used by smokers to perfume the breath TOOTHACHE This may arise from several causes.