VE TERINAR T DENTAL S URGER T. \ 37 



more frequent occurrence of Lampas in the upper 

 jaw, for in the majority of cases, the loss of a tooth 

 from natural causes takes place in the lower jaw, 

 leaving the opposite tooth unopposed. It will then 

 gradually force its way out becoming longer than 

 the adjacent teeth. The irritation will be very 

 much increased should the tooth occupy (which it 

 frequently does), a position like that represented in 

 figure 31. 



Dead or loose teeth act as foreign bodies, as also 

 do the roots of teeth where the crowns have de- 

 cayed or been broken off. These set up irritation in 

 their immediate vicinity which may gradually ex- 

 tend until a considerable portion of the gums 

 become involved. Tartar forces the gums and the 

 alveolar dental membrane away from the tooth, or 

 a small particle of tartar may become detached and 

 work its way in between the soft structures, pro- 

 ducing irritation with a tendency towards suppura- 

 tion. 



TREATMENT. 



First thoroughly examine the mouth and if pos- 

 sible ascertain the cause in order to effect its removal. 

 If in a young animal and the tumidity of the gums be 

 due to teething, and the teeth have not yet appeared, 

 it would be well to lance the gums over and down 

 upon the teeth causing the trouble, which in most 

 cases will probably be the canine or sixth molars. 



