Dental disease in its relation to general medicine / by J.F. Colyer ; with the assistance of Stanley Colyer.

  • Colyer, Frank, Sir, 1866-1954.
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dental disease in its relation to general medicine / by J.F. Colyer ; with the assistance of Stanley Colyer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    mottled, and pus is generally seen welling up from the sulci around the teeth. The mottled appearance of the gums is due to the fact that in inflammation the epithelium proliferates, and appears whitish, but through the friction which occurs between the gums and the cheeks, the epithelium covering the papilae of the gum is rubbed off and leaves reddish patches here and there. The breath is foetid, the patient has a sensation of heat and pain, and the taste is impaired. The tongue is furred, there is a loss of appetite, derangement of the bowels, and a feeling of malaise. Treatment.—The cause should, if possible, be removed, antiseptic and astringent mouth-washes should be used, and the general condition of the patient treated by appro- priate remedies. (b) Mercurial Stomatitis.—Prolonged use of mercury is likely to lead to gingivitis, which rapidly spreads to contiguous parts. The ptyalism, so often seen in cases of mercurial stomatitis, is due to the spread of inflamma- tion to the salivary glands. The early symptoms are soreness and discomfort in the mouth, accompanied by a metallic taste and foetid breath. The gums become inflamed, and present a deeply congested appearance at the free edge; the portion attached to the margin of the alveolar process remains whitish, and the portion beneath presents the whitish mottled appearance referred to above. The teeth become loose, sloughing and ulcera- tion occur near the margin of the gum; the slough separates, and the teeth fall out. The inflammation spreads rapidly to the cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, and to the salivary glands, leading to a profuse flow of saliva. There is nuch pain in swallowing, speaking, and on moving the ] aws. In severe cases, if not quickly treated, extensive sloughing and necrosis may supervene.