Gum-boils are abscessed teeth, and may be deep-rooted or very superficial. The treatment is the same as given above. Hot applications are very often prescribed, but as an infection will always follow the line of least resistance, it can be readily understood why such a treatment should not be given. The abscess may gather in the cheek, necessitating lancing, which will leave a scar. Cold cloths will allay the infection and simplify the treatment to the gums alone. Teeth are withdrawn, leaving unsightly cavities, which could be avoided by a more deliberate treatment. Treat the abscess of the tooth the same as an abscess in any other part of the body, thereby saving the root of the tooth, if not the entire portion, which can be crowned and give a permanent good tooth.
Mastication is the most important part of the digestive system, and mastication cannot be done without good teeth. Therefore, it behooves everyone to preserve his own teeth and to give this benefit to others who may not have had dental treatment. There are dentists who will extract a tooth upon the patient’s request, and it is best to seek the most progressive and modern dental doctors for the preservation of the teeth to prevent the untimely loss of a tooth, which means also many times a preventive against other ailments affecting the digestive tract. A good dentist should be consulted at least once a year, although the teeth may appear sound and in good condition.
ERUPTION OF THE DECIDUOUS
OR MILK-TEETH.
| Lower central | incisors, | 6 to 9 | months. | ||
| Upper | “ | 8 “ 10 | “ | ||
| Lower lateral | “ | 15 “ 21 | “ |  | also first molars. |
| Canines, | “ | 16 “ 20 | “ | ||
| Second molars, | “ | 20 “ 24 | “ | ||
Eruption of the deciduous teeth
(Frühwald and Westcott).
Twenty teeth in all: eight incisors, four on each jaw; four canines, two on each jaw; eight molars, four on each jaw.
| Permanent teeth: | ||
|---|---|---|
| First molars coming back of baby molars, | 6 | years. |
| Centrals, | 7 | “ |
| Laterals, | 8 | “ |
| First bicuspid, | 9 | “ |
| Second “ | 10 | “ |
| Canines, | 11-12 | “ |
| Second molars, | 12-13 | “ |
| Third “ or wisdom teeth, | 17-21 | “ |