Note (6) — CANTO SECOND.

The first set of teeth begin to protrude generally about the sixth or eighth month; but in some cases the teeth have been known to make their appearance as early as the fourth or fifth month; and sometimes, on the contrary, not until the fourteenth or fifteenth. The period of teething does not depend on the health and strength of the child, as this process sometimes seems slowest with the strongest children.

The two incisors of the under jaw are the first which make their appearance; and are followed, in about three weeks or a month, by similar teeth in the upper jaw. The lateral incisors of the under jaw are the next which follow. Nature then interrupts this uniformity of progress, and instead of the canine teeth, which are the next in situation, the anterior molares of the under jaw make their appearance, and are succeeded in a short time by those of the upper. The canine teeth and larger molares then follow to complete the set, which is generally effected in about two years and a half. Deviations from this order are occasionally met with, and, in some instances, children have been known to be born with the two front incisors of the lower jaw; but as such premature growth cannot be perfect, and as such teeth occasion much pain and inconvenience to the child, it is always advisable to extract them. The first dentition is a critical period in the life of a child; and the mortality from this cause is clearly ascertained to comprise more than half of those that die under the age of two years. The efforts which the teeth make to unfold themselves, naturally produce a powerful tension and pressure on the gums; and this gives rise to irritation and pain. The gums become swelled and inflamed; the saliva is constantly discharged from the mouth, and the whole frame seems to labor under the influence of fever.

It is proper, therefore, that every parent should be aware of the consequences that may ensue, in order to resort to those means which experience has found to be most successful in affording relief. This can be obtained only by lessening the pressure of the tooth on the gum. To accomplish this, the child is generally allowed some hard substance to rub thereon; but this, although it may give temporary relief, tends in the end to increase the irritation. Gentle friction with the finger will be found to afford more relief, and may be rendered still more effectual by the use of a little fine salt, or any other substance which will cause a discharge, and therefore reduce the inflammatory action of the vessels. Scarification, however, seems to be the safest experiment that can be employed. This is performed, by the point of a lancet, pressed down upon the tooth, until the gum and the investing membrane be fully divided. The pressure being by this means taken off, the child will experience instantaneous relief. Parents should be cautious how they give way to any vulgar prejudice against an operation by which many have been freed from the most dangerous symptoms.

The use of the coral has been recommended by persons totally ignorant of the disorders of dentition, in opposition to the opinions of those who have made the teeth their exclusive study. I am decidedly in favor of the theory of Doctor Blake, who says “The coral is a most dangerous weapon, put into the hands of children to destroy themselves; for as the teeth arise and become slightly elevated above the edge of the socket, those hard bodies press and bruise the gum between them and the sharp points or edge of the tooth underneath; inflammation and its consequences undoubtedly follow; and in this way, I am firmly persuaded, the lives of thousands of children have been lost.”

Dentition is often accompanied by a fever of an inflammatory nature; the cheeks become flushed; the eyes heavy and the skin hot and parched; the rest is broken and the appetite lost; and if timely assistance be not obtained, convulsions sometimes suddenly supervene, and not unfrequently terminate fatally.

The mildest effort which marks the interposition of nature, is the appearance of numerous eruptions of the skin; the period of dentition marks their true nature, they are never removed nor cured until the cause ceases to exist.