DENTAL PAIN.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18545, 21 November 1925, Page 3

DENTAL PAIN.

A NEW DESTROYER. ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS, v (raox cm. oto ooxxbsfoxsxst.) LONDON, October 1. One of tie most interesting things presented at the International Dental Exhibition, now in progress, is a now gas which destroys all sense of pain while leaving other sensations unimpaired. f'rom the trade standpoint, tie most important feature is the development of X-ray photographs. Tbfc public has learnt by experience the help that can be given to the dentist and pain saved from themselves through the use of X-rays in connexion with the teeth. Among the exhibits at the Exhibition where photographs showing how it had been possible through X-rays' to diagnose the existence of fractured teeth in a way that would otherwise have been Quito impossible. Until recently, the dentists were in the habit of sending patients to X-rav specialists, but the demand for special X-ray apparatus is growing, because dental surgeons are realising that the best results can only be if they themselves supervise the taking of the photographs. Outpost of Preventive Medicine. I>r. W. Forrest Bowen, the president, in opening the Exhibition, which has been organised by tho Incorporated Dental Society, said tEat, although dentistry had been described as "the chief outpost of preventive medicine,'' the public had not come to recognise or appreciate it as such. That, he believed, was partly due to ignorance, partly to unemployment, but largely to the spirit of indifference following the war. "The mouth," proceeded 2>r. Bawen, "being the gateway to the constitution, necessarily determines by its health or ill-health the condition, very largely, of the whole body. An unhealthy mouth does not, of coarse, cause all diseases, but it reduces the constitutional resistance to such a degree that it predisposes to most diseases. Moreover, when a disease doe? occur an unhealthy mouth delays recovery, and often, no doubt, prevents it, thus causing premature death. "(hie might wonder what would become of the human race if it was not for pain—that most valuable diagnostic indicator. Yet there are cases where it fails to warn, e.g., pyorrbffia, which is not often a painful affection, with the consequence that many thousands suffer in general health quite ignorant of the cause for ye are, and may meet an untimely and painful death. Th« moral is that it is wise to visit a dentist periodicallv for advice and an assurance that all is well with the mouth." Artificial SunSfgJrt Ultra-violet rays in the treatment of pyorrhoea have proved of the greakest value and a new lamp shown as the Exhibition provided all the benefits of artificial sunlight without any of the risks. Hitherto it has only been possible to apply J?sW for about two minutes, now tho "fh* be directed through » glass tube to the mouth for half an hour. This efficient cure of the dread dis■rftpn of the month, is herakfed as a triumph for dentistry. About 5000 cases o# needleJike> excavators, no two of which are ante, are mi view, There are also a dental disinfectant with the name of 'tnehlorophecyUnethyßodoaalieyi," and a toothbrush which has for a handle to® case into which it can .be packed for carrying in the corner -of one's pocket