108 DISEASES OF THE TEETH 



FRACTURES OF THE TEETH. 



Fractures of the teeth with exposure of the pulp cavity 

 sometimes occur, especially in dogs, and are usually due to 

 fighting, falls on hard surfaces, kicks (horses, etc.), being hit 

 with hard objects ; often occur during play in attempting to 

 catch a ball or stone when thrown; also due to biting iron 

 bars in their attempts to escape from cages. 



Treatment.— If the fractured tooth is painful, extract it. 

 It is possible to have it filled. 



INCRUSTATIONS OF TARTAR. 



Tartar occurs quite commonly on the teeth of dogs and it 

 is due to the precipitation of the carbonates, phosphates and 

 some organic substances from their solution in the mouth 

 secretions. It collects around the neck of the tooth close to 

 the gingival border which is the least exposed part of the 

 tooth, and therefore the deposits are not worn off by eating. 

 By constant accretion, these deposits increase, producing an 

 irritation to the gums and inflammation. As the process 

 continues, it separates the gums from the teeth and often 

 causes the teeth to loosen and fall out. In some severe cases, 

 the tooth may be completely covered with the incrustations. 

 The gums are reddened, swollen and painful, later showing 

 ulceration. A foul odor is emitted from the mouth. 



Remove all deposits from the teeth with a curette or scaling 

 instrument, being careful not to injure the gums. Extract all 

 loose teeth. Tincture of myrrh applied to the gums is useful 

 as an antiseptic, astringent and deodorant. As this condi- 

 tion usually persists, these cases should have attention every 

 few weeks. 



ALVEOLAR PERIOSTITIS. 



Pericementitis. Periodontitis. 



Definition.— This is an inflammation of the alveolar peri- 

 osteum. 



Etiology.— It begins in most cases from the irritation pro- 

 duced by a collection of tartar around the teeth. As the 



