The Dental cosmos . f Acids Alternatingwith Substances which Destroythe Organic Tissue of the Tooth. From all of these experimental resultsit seems that certain substances in themouth have a macerating action on de-calcified dentin, exceedingly slight inmost cases, but in some possibly strongenough to merit consideration. An ac-tion of this kind would tend to acceleratenot only the process of dissolution in thesecond stage of caries, but also rendersuch thin layers of dentin as may besoftened by the action of acids more sus-ceptible to the action of the brush, andthereby accentuate also the pr
The Dental cosmos . f Acids Alternatingwith Substances which Destroythe Organic Tissue of the Tooth. From all of these experimental resultsit seems that certain substances in themouth have a macerating action on de-calcified dentin, exceedingly slight inmost cases, but in some possibly strongenough to merit consideration. An ac-tion of this kind would tend to acceleratenot only the process of dissolution in thesecond stage of caries, but also rendersuch thin layers of dentin as may besoftened by the action of acids more sus-ceptible to the action of the brush, andthereby accentuate also the process ofwasting. This fact is demonstrated by the re- sults of the following experiment: Asection of the lower jaw containing threeteeth was subjected to the action of J percent, solution of lactic acid, alternatingdaily with a 10 per cent, solution of hy-drogen dioxid. In the course of sixweeks defects were produced at the necks,extending quite around the teeth. (;) The defects are strikingly similar Fig. Action of acid and hydrogen dioxid alter-nating. to cases which have been reported of wast-ing of the approximal surfaces of thelower incisors. (No instance of this hascome to my personal notice, in spite ofthe fact that I have examined over 300cases of wasting within the last three-years.) It is doubtful, however, whetherthese substances are found in the salivain sufficient concentration to producethis effect. Further experiments withmore dilute solutions are necessary toclear up this question. The fact thatthin sections of decalcified dentin arenot dissolved in human saliva, so long asit is kept free from bacteria, seems toindicate that under normal conditionsthis process, if present at all. is re-duced to a minimum: under certainpathological conditions, and in rare cases,it may possibly acquire greater impor-tance. On the whole, I am forced to the con-clusion that agents which attack the or-ganic constituents of the hard tissues ofthe teeth are of very minor imp
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