CAUSES.- The early decay of the teeth is due, in a great measure, to preventible causes, the chief of which are the following :-
1. A Crowded State of the Teeth.- In some children the jaws are so small or irregular that there is not sufficient room for proper development. The consequence is that they overlap, and, pressing against each other, damage the enamel. Moreover in this condition there is greater probability than in a normal condition that particles of food will be retained in the mouth, and decomposing, the formation of caries will be favoured *
(The first teeth should be preserved as long as possible, and when decayed should, unless too far gone, be filled. Extraction of the first teeth leads to contraction of the jaws, and consequent trouble with the second set.)
2. Insufficient Use of the Teeth.- This is consequent on the kind of food taken, and on its preparation. The prevalent use of sops and of soft new bread is productive of much evil. Nothing is more suitable for a child, with incisors cut, than a crust of stale bread, or a bone, on which to exercise and harden the teeth and gums. The result of insufficient use of the teeth is that the jaws are imperfectly developed, and gums become soft and spongy, the teeth grow irregularly, are easily loosened, and drop out. For it is with the teeth as with all other organ and functions of the body, the less they are employed for the purpose to which they are assigned, the more rapidly they become enfeebled and degenerate. Resistance gives strength. The resistance of tough food affords that healthy pressure which promotes circulation in the vessels, gives fixedness to the teeth, and necessitates the formation of that hard texture which wears well even when the enamel is gone.
3. Constitutional Debility.- Whatever enfeebles the general system enfeebles every part of it. It the standard of health be lowered by disregard of hygienic measures, or in any other manner, the teeth will suffer; they will decay for want of sufficient nutrition.
INDICATIONS FOR TREATMENT
Kreasotum.- Sour state of the secretions of the mouth and stomach, with frequent vomiting; soreness of the gums.
Mercurius Sol.6- Looseness of the teeth; retraction and bleeding of the gums; excessive flow of saliva; foetid breath.
Silicea.- Soft, crumbly state of the teeth, associated with symptoms of Rickets.
Staphysagria.- Blackness of the teeth; paleness, swelling, soreness, and erosion of the gums; looseness of the teeth.
PREVENTIVE TREATMENT.- This may be inferred from the causes already mentioned. To prevent the crowding of the teeth, an experienced and skilful dentist should be consulted, who will remove superfluous teeth, selecting for extraction any that may be hopelessly decayed, or those which are most liable to early degeneracy, viz., the first permanent molars. We have repeatedly advised this course, with the most satisfactory results. Personal appearance has been improved by the greater regularity of the teeth; for the vacancies occasioned by removals have been quickly filled by the adjustment of the teeth to the vacant spaces.
To prevent deterioration, we recommend a return to the primitive custom of eating wholemeal bread. It gives the healthy stimulus which the teeth and gums require; it is more nutritious to the system; and it supplies in considerable quantity the silica and phosphates from which enamel and dentine are formed. We also advice parents to allow the children the vulgar gratification of nibbling a bone now and then. Sweets should only be allowed in moderation; strong acids, some of the preparations of iron, and hot drinks are always prejudicial.
Cleanliness is essential to the prevention of decay. The bristles of the tooth- brush should be moderately soft, and not too thickly set. Where food is liable to become entangled between the teeth, the brush should be used after every meal. Not only animal food, but particles of white bread originate degenerative changes, and should be removed. Tooth-powder is unnecessary except the teeth have been neglected; it may then be required for a short time to remove carious incrustation.
In any case the tooth-powder should not be harsh or medicated. Such as feels rough and gritty when rubbed between the thumb and finger should not be used, as it will scratch and injure the enamel. Brushing with simple water should be commenced directly the teeth appear. An apple last thing at night is excellent for cleaning the teeth. Finally, vitamins in abundance in the food (as in butter, dripping, drown bread, fresh fruit, and greens), food well masticated, plenty of fresh air inhaled through the nose, will result in well-formed jaws, good teeth, and no adenoids.
63. Toothache (Odontalgia)
Toothache is often a distressing ailment of childhood, and is far from being uncommon, especially during the decay of the first teeth. The most frequent exciting causes are sudden changes of temperature general ill-health, and irritation of the bared nerve by particles of food.
INDICATIONS FOR TREATMENT
Aconitum.- Toothache brought on by cold, or accompanied by fever symptoms.
Arsenicum.- Intermittent toothache; burning or cutting pains; general prostration.
Belladonna.- Pain, extending to the temples particularly the right; redness of the face, burning, throbbing and heat of the head.
Bryonia.- Pain aggravated by hot or cold food; the cheek being tender to the touch.
Chamomilla.- Unbearable paroxysms of pain; nightly aggravation : redness of one cheek and paleness of the other.
Mercurius Sol.6.- Pain starting from loose or decayed teeth, occurring in the night, accompanied with perspiration that gives no relief; pain extending to the ears; gumboil.
Kreasotum.- This is a valuable remedy when caries exist, with red and painful gums, offensive breath, etc.
Pulsatilla.- Pain from indigestible food, fat, pastry, etc., pain on the left side of the face.
Staphysagria.- Toothache in blackened, decayed teeth; the feel too long.
ACCESSORY TREATMENT.- The application of heat will sometimes give relief; in other cases, when the temple throbs, a small stream of cold water eases the pain. The digestive organs should be brought into a healthy condition, the action of the bowels should be regulated, and very hot or very cold food avoided.
ELECTRICITY frequently gives speedy relief. Using a constant current of eight or ten elements, the negative pole is applied to the cheek near the aching tooth, and the positive pole to the back of the neck. Improvements ensues in a few minutes.
In some cases the only remedy is extraction, especially if the tooth be loose, much decayed, and unfit for mastication; but in most cases the pain may be relieved by homoeopathic remedies. If the pain be in the permanent teeth, and the caries be recent and slight, the decayed portion may frequently be removed, the cavity filled with a suitable material, and thus preserved a useful member for year. A qualified dentist should be consulted. (See also the previous Section.)
64. Acute Dyspepsia (Acute Gastric Catarrh).
SYMPTOMS.- Sudden onset; nausea and Vomiting; furred tongue; prostration; often a high temperature.
CAUSES.- Irritating food and chill whether from cold air or cold bathing. (These often produce in addition an acute intestinal Catarrh, manifested by Diarrhoea).
The patient is liable to recurrent attacks of a milder Dyspepsia, in which there is less but longer lasting fever, furred tongue, some vomiting, and often Diarrhoea as well.
INDICATIONS FOR TREATMENT
Antimonium Crudum.- Thickly-furred, white tongue; great thirst; painfulness of the stomach to pressure; nausea; eructations; poor appetite; vomiting of bile, with Diarrhoea.
Ipecacuanha.- Aversion to food and vomiting of mucous. This is especially suitable when the breast-milk disagrees with a child, and is returned.
Nux Vomica.- Aversion to food and drink; the matters vomited are sour or foetid; vomiting of greed bilious matter; Constipation.
Pulsatilla.- Simple vomiting from indigestible food; or when due to debility of the stomach.
ACCESSORY TREATMENT.- Child must be kept in bead on a restricted diet. If vomiting is severe and urgent, nothing should be given but sips of iced water or of very hot water. If it is a first attack, it should be remembered that these symptoms of Acute Gastric Catarrh may represent Appendicitis or the initial stage of some much acute specific disease as Pneumonia or Meningitis. With recurrent so-called “bilious” attacks the strong possibility of a relapsing Appendicitis should be bone in mind.
65. Chronic (or Habitual) Vomiting.
Chronic Vomiting in infants is most often due to errors in diet. These are to be corrected in accordance with the instructions under Section 12 and 13. If may also be due to narrowing of the pyloric orifice of the stomach (so-called “congenital” pyloric stenosis). Here the vomiting does not begin till ten days or a fortnight after birth and therefore is not congenital; the narrowing is probably due to spasm of uncertain origin. The manifestations of this condition are extremely forcible (“projectile”) vomiting of food and mucus, with Constipation, emaciation, and visible gastric peristalsis (waves of muscular contraction passing along the stomach).
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."