Page 683 - My FlipBook

PROPHYLACTIC TREATMENT. 681

therein and seal the cavity for a few days with temporary stopping.
When the inflammation of the pericementnm has disap])eared the pnlp
chamber and canals may be filled as before directed.
In many cases the inflammation of the pericementnm will be so
great, or in popular expression the tooth so " sore " to the touch,
when the case is presented that at the first sitting nothing more can be
done than to make an opening into the pulp chamber to allow the escape
of pus or gases of decomposition. By this means the pain will be re-
lieved and the rest of the manipulation and treatment may be left till
the inflammation has subsided.

Prophylactic Treatment.
This lies more in the hands of the parent than of the practitioner,
but should be strongly urged by the latter upon the former. The nurse
or parent should begin early to clean the child's teeth by means of a
cloth wrapped around the finger. If the teeth cannot be kept clean in
this manner a small brush should be used, especially after eruption of
the molars. Floss silk should be used daily between the teeth. One
end of the silk should be held in each hand in such a manner as to pass
over the end of each index finger and be made taut between them.
This taut part can be pressed down betAveen the teeth and passed up and
down against the approximal surface of each tooth, then one end of the
thread should be released from one hand and pulled through the
interdental space with the other.
This will drag out any particles of food that may be there, and is
much better than the toothpick for the purpose. If particles of
meat or other food have lodged so firmly that the plain waxed silk
will not dislodge them, tie a single knot in the thread and pull that
through.
This cleansing with tlie clotli, brush, and silk should be done before
the child retires at night, for that is tlie " period of decay." The parts
are at rest longer than at any other time, and the fluids of the mouth
are not kept in circulation between the teeth by means of the tongue,
lips, and cheeks. Theoretically the teeth should be thus thoroughly
cleaned after each meal, but " satiety breeds disgust," and it is not
best to insist on more than will probably be accomplished.
Children will soon learn to use the brush and floss silk themselves,
and finding the mouth much more comfortable when " clean " they will
endeavor to keep it so. Many a child has been denied candy for years
from the belief that " sweets decay the teeth," but parents may be as-
sured that no harm will be done if the "sweet" is not allowed to
remain between and around the teeth till it becomes acid, and that