AFFECTIONS OF THE TEETH. 73 
upon them. Yet there are infinitely many influences, seemingly far removed, 
which may seriously affect them and cause early decay. 
A healthy dog, properly cared for, should have good, sound teeth until well 
into the evening of life; but let him acquire a serious constitutional defect which 
persists, then impairment of them is certain. It is also assured if the food is 
not wisely chosen during puppyhood ; for that which is of right quality is quite as 
urgently needed for good tooth-bone and enamel as for other and seemingly more 
important parts of the body structure. Even after maturity, if the food is for a 
long time deficient in certain elements, the integrity of the teeth must decline. 
Again, there are elements which in excess will in time produce the same result. 
As for instance, a dog fed much on sweets can scarcely escape indigestion, and 
with that trouble, some of the starch and sugar of the food must undergo ace- 
tous fermentation; and the acid resulting, finding its way into the mouth and 
remaining there for a time, is sure to act very unpleasantly on the tooth-enamel. 
It has been customary for writers to urge that bones be given dogs fre- 
quently, that by the means of them their teeth may be kept clean; but, unfortu- 
nately, the majority have failed to emphasize the fact that bones suitable for the 
purpose are those only which are porous and capable of being easily crushed, 
while on the dense and hard, the teeth are broken or worn away, as on stones. 
Such is the shape of the teeth of dogs, they are not very favorable for 
the lodgment of particles of food, and any that may happen to be retained be- 
tween them is likely to be soon displaced by gnawing. But if allowed only soft 
foods, fibres of meat and vegetable substances get between the teeth, and these, 
undergoing partial decay, become nests, as it were, for parasites that make their 
home on the surfaces and in the depressions and cracks of the teeth. Likewise 
by degrees is formed tartar, which is largely made up of lime salts. If this 
deposit is allowed to accumulate it causes inflammation and softening of the 
gums ; and extending toward the roots, the teeth in time are loosened by it. 
As intimated, it is a serious mistake to give dogs hard bones, for they will 
persistently gnaw on them; and all the wear being on the ends of the front teeth, 
they must in time be worn down to a level with the gums, and more than likely 
some of them will be broken off. 
Soft bones or others that he can crush easily, as the ribs and backbones of 
sheep, etc., constitute the dog’s natural toothbrush, and such alone should be 
given him. Kept clean by them, the teeth will remain sound for many years 
if the general health continues good. 
When tartar forms it should be removed, and this can easily be done by 
means of a penknife. If decay has begun its progress may be materially ob- 
structed if thereafter the food is wisely chosen and the victim placed under good 
hygienic conditions. Should extraction of a tooth seem demanded, let the opera- 
tion be invariably performed by a dentist. 
Toothache is indicated by restlessness and irritability. The victim eats slowly, 
