TOOTH POWDERS AND MOUTH WASHES.
TOOTH powders, regarded as a means merely of cleansing the
teeth, are most commonly placed among cosmetics; but this should not be,
as they assist greatly in preserving a healthy and regular condition of
the dental machinery, and so aid in perfecting as much as possible the
act of mastication. In this manner, they may be considered as most
useful, although it is true, subordinate medicinal agents. By a careful
and prudent use of them, some of the most frequent causes of early loss
of the teeth may be prevented; these are, the deposition of tartar, the
swelling of the gums, and an undue acidity of the saliva. The effect
resulting from accumulation of the tartar is well known to most persons,
and it has been distinctly shown that swelling of the substance of the
gums will hasten the expulsion of the teeth from their sockets; and the
action of the saliva, if unduly acid, is known to be at least injurious,
if not destructive. Now, the daily employment of a tooth powder
sufficiently hard, so as to exert a tolerable degree of friction upon
the teeth, without, at the same time, injuring the enamel of the teeth,
will, in most cases, almost always prevent the tartar accumulating in
such a degree as to cause subsequent injury to the teeth; and a flaccid,
spongy, relaxed condition of the gums may be prevented or overcome by
adding to such a tooth powder, some tonic and astringent ingredient. A
tooth powder containing charcoal and cinchona bark, will accomplish
these results in most cases, and therefore dentists generally recommend
such. Still, there are objections to the use of charcoal; it is too hard
and resisting, its color is objectionable, and it is perfectly insoluble
by the saliva, it is apt to become lodged between the teeth, and there
to collect decomposing animal and vegetable matter around such particles
as may be fixed in this position. Cinchona bark, too, is often stringy,
and has a bitter, disagreeable taste. M. Mialhe highly recommends the
following formula:--
MIALHE'S TOOTH POWDER.
Sugar of milk, one thousand parts; lake, ten parts; pure tannin, fifteen
parts; oil of mint, oil of aniseed, and oil of orange flowers, so much
as to impart an agreeable flavor to the composition.
His directions for the preparation of this tooth powder, are, to rub
well the lake with the tannin, and gradually add the sugar of milk,
previously powdered and sifted; and lastly, the essential oils are to be
carefully mixed with the powdered substances. Experience has convinced
him of the efficacy of this tooth powder, the habitual employment of
which, will suffice to preserve the gums and teeth in a healthy state.
For those who are troubled with excessive relaxation and sponginess of
the gums, he recommends the following astringent preparation:--
MIALHE'S DENTIFRICE.
Alcohol, one thousand parts; genuine kino, one hundred parts; rhatany
root, one hundred parts; tincture of balsam of tolu, two parts; tincture
of gum benzoin, two parts; essential oil of canella, two parts;
essential oil of mint, two parts; essential oil of aniseed, one part.
The kino and the rhatany root are to be macerated in the alcohol for
seven or eight days; and after filtration, the other articles are to be
added. A teaspoonful of this preparation mixed in three or four
spoonfuls of water, should be used to rinse the mouth, after the use of
the tooth powder.
CAMPHORATED CHALK.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Powdered orris-root, 1/2 lb.
Powdered camphor, 1/4 lb.
Reduce the camphor to powder by rubbing it in a mortar with a little
spirit, then sift the whole well together. On account of the volatility
of camphor, the powder should always be sold in bottles, or at least in
boxes lined with tinfoil.
QUININE TOOTH POWDER.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Starch Powder, 1/2 lb.
Orris powder, 1/2 lb.
Sulphate of quinine, 1 drachm.
After sifting, it is ready for sale.
PREPARED CHARCOAL.
Fresh-made charcoal in fine powder, 7 lbs.
Prepared chalk, 1 lb.
Orris-root, 1 lb.
Catechu, 1/2 lb.
Cassia bark, 1/2 lb.
Myrrh, 1/4 lb.
Sift.
PERUVIAN BARK POWDER.
Peruvian bark in powder, 1/2 lb.
Bole Ammoniac, 1 lb.
Orris powder, 1 lb.
Cassia bark, 1/2 lb.
Powdered myrrh, 1/2 lb.
Precipitated chalk, 1/2 lb.
Otto of cloves, 3/4 oz.
HOMOEOPATHIC CHALK.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Powder orris, 1 oz.
" starch, 1 oz.
CUTTLE FISH POWDER.
Powdered cuttle-fish, 1/2 lb.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Powder orris, 1/2 lb.
Otto of lemons, 1 oz.
" neroli, 1/2 drachm.
BORAX AND MYRRH TOOTH POWDER.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Borax powder, 1/2 lb.
Myrrh powder, 1/4 lb.
Orris, 1/4 lb.
FARINA PIESSE'S POWDER.
Precipitated chalk, 2 lbs.
Orris-root, 2 lbs.
Rose pink, 1 drachm.
Very fine powdered sugar, 1/2 lb.
Otto of neroli, 1/2 drachm.
" lemons, 1/4 oz.
" bergamot, 1/4 oz.
" orange-peel, 1/4 oz.
" rosemary, 1 drachm.
ROSE TOOTH POWDER.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Orris, 1/2 lb.
Rose pink, 2 drachms.
Otto of rose, 1 drachm.
" santal, 1/4 drachm.
OPIATE TOOTH PASTE.
Honey, 1/2 lb.
Chalk, 1/2 lb.
Orris, 1/2 lb.
Rose Pink, 2 drachms.
Otto of cloves, }
" nutmeg, } each, 1/2 drachm.
" rose, }
Simple syrup, enough to form a paste.
MOUTH WASHES.
VIOLET MOUTH WASH.
Tincture of orris, 1/2 pint.
Esprit de rose, 1/2 pint.
Spirit, 1/2 pint.
Otto of almonds, 5 drops.
EAU BOTOT.
Tincture of cedar wood, 1 pint.
" myrrh, 1/4 pint.
" rhatany, 1/4 pint.
Otto of peppermint, 5 drops.
All these tinctures should be made with grape spirit, or at least with
pale unsweetened brandy.
BOTANIC STYPTIC.
Rectified spirit, 1 quart.
Rhatany root, }
Gum myrrh, } of each, 2 oz.
Whole cloves, }
Macerate for fourteen days, and strain.
TINCTURE OF MYRRH AND BORAX.
Spirits of wine, 1 quart.
Borax, }
Honey, } of each, 1 oz.
Gum myrrh, 1 oz.
Red sanders wood, 1 oz.
Rub the honey and borax well together in a mortar, then gradually add
the spirit, which should not be stronger than .920, _i.e._ proof spirit,
the myrrh, and sanders wood, and macerate for fourteen days.
TINCTURE OF MYRRH WITH EAU DE COLOGNE.
Eau de Cologne, 1 quart.
Gum myrrh, 1 oz.
Macerate for fourteen days, and filter.
CAMPHORATED EAU DE COLOGNE.
Eau de Cologne, 1 quart.
Camphor, 5 oz.