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The Teeth: Toothache

Either the crown or root of the tooth may partly or wholly decay, the gum may recede so as to expose the soft dentine of the neck of the tooth, or the membrane covering the outer surface of the root of the tooth may be inflamed. All of the conditions that give rise to toothache are a serious menace to the general health, and should have the early attention of a competent dentist. Toothache is a warning that these conditions are present, and if attended to in time will certainly be a means of avoiding graver consequences. When the enamel of the tooth becomes broken, the bone decays in all directions until the pulp or nerve of the tooth becomes affected. Often a very small orifice in THE TEETH the enamel, which is hardly noticeable, may lead to the decay of the whole interior of the tooth. And this condition may not be suspected until the crown happens to be chipped or broken. Hence, if the teeth are sensitive to cold or to the touch, or if they ache or "grumble" more or less from time to time, a dentist should be immediately consulted, so that the cavity may be filled before the nerve is affected. Otherwise the roots of the nerve may decay and produce ulcers, which will work their way through the bones of the jaw and the gums and discharge into the mouth.

During these conditions the process of chewing is much affected, tartar accumulates on the teeth, and general bad conditions prevail.

Hence the use of toothache remedies is only advisable when for any reason it is not possible to consult a dentist. And the fact that they allay the pain, and thus seem to effect a temporary cure, should not be allowed to cause the sufferer to lose sight of the danger signal that means trouble ahead unless the cause of the pain is permanently removed.

Treatment of Toothache. - This depends upon the cause. And the only permanent cure is the removal of the cause, if possible, by the aid of a good dentist.

Toothache caused by cavities which expose the dentine, but do not affect the nerve, is usually due to local irritations caused by acids, sweets, or salt taken into the mouth, by the presence of acid in the saliva due to indigestion, by the use of the toothbrush, or by exposure to cold. In such cases a dentist should be consulted and the tooth filled as soon as possible. But in the mean time various pain-killers mentioned below may be used to relieve or deaden the pain. Filling the cavities will almost always give immediate relief. If the neck of the tooth is exposed, mouth washes should be used containing such substances as bicarbonate of soda, carbonate of magnesia, and other alkalies, to neutralize the acid that may be present in the saliva, and suitable washes should be used to strengthen the gums.

Among substances recommended to give temporary relief in toothache are counterirritants, such as oil of cloves or cinnamon, alum, carbolic acid, ammonia; and various anæsthetics, as opium, belladonna, ether, sulphate of morphia, chloral hydrate, laudanum, and the like. Many of these are powerful and dangerous drugs and should be used only with the most intelligent caution. They should never be used when it is possible to consult a dentist, and they must not be expected to effect a per manent cure.

First cleanse the cavity, if possible, with a bit of cotton on the point o a toothpick dipped in peroxide o hydrogen or a solution of baking soda in warm water, or a solution of boric acid, listerine, or other antiseptic. Rinse out the cavity with the same solution by means of a medicine dropper or small syringe, or by using it as a mouth wash. In using the following powerful substances be careful that they do not fall into the mouth so as to be swallowed.

TOOTHACHE REMEDIES Use the oil of cloves or equal parts of the oil of cloves and chloroform.