The Buccal Secretions. [Volume: 2, Issue: 2, September, 1860, pp. 71-77]

76

THE DENTAL COSMOS.

The saliva becomes changed to an abnormal or diseased condition in
two ways. First, by a vitiated state of the blood, and second, by a diseased condition of the glands; the latter is often complicated with the
former. The saliva is more frequently affected by a deteriorated state of
the blood; but the mucus by an unhealthy condition of the mucous follicles. These being situated in the mucous membrane near the surface,
are more exposed than the salivary glands to the influence of local irritating causes.
The salivary glands are often required to perform more than the natural
amount of labor, sometimes from local stimulants, as in the use of tobacco,
or any similar agent; and from the constant use of the jaws in mastication, and from general constitutional causes, as in ptyalism, and various
vitiated conditions of the blood.
When any organ is over-tasked, its production is necessarily deteriorated. A general inflammatory condition of the system produces an acid
state of the saliva. Rheumatic affections, if general, produce the same
result.
In febrile diseases the secretion of the saliva is very much diminished
and sometimes checked altogether; then, the secretion of mucus being
kept up, the teeth suffer injury, for the mucus, at such times, is always in
a vitiated condition when secreted, and changes rapidly to a worse condition while in the mouth. The water evaporates and leaves a thick tenacious sordes covering the teeth, and lining the mucous membrane of the
mouth. During this state of things, the teeth, without great care, are
injured extensively and rapidly. The utmost care should be exercised to
keep the teeth clean during a time of sickness, and especially when this
peculiar condition exists. Much of the injury attributed to medical
agents is dependent upon just the state of things to which reference has
been made.
This vitiated, thickened, decomposing mucus will act directly and with
great rapidity upon the teeth. It also facilitates the decomposition of
the foreign substances with which it may come in contact, or commingle,
and thus indirectly operate an injury upon the teeth.
A peculiarly vitiated state of the saliva is often found in connection
with a lymphatic temperament, especially where there is a strumous diathesis. The saliva is viscid, somewhat thickened, is easily drawn out into
shreds or strings; it does not readily mix with the atmosphere, does not
become frothy. Usually when there is this state of the saliva, the teeth
decay very rapidly, and are very sensitive, especially if the constitution of
the teeth is good or medium; but if they are poorly organized, the vitality may be destroyed in advance of the decay. Saliva in this condition
operates rapidly upon the teeth, both directly and indirectly. All the
care that can be bestowed upon the teeth in respect to cleanliness will not
arrest caries nor change its character while the buccal secretions remain