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Preventive Treatment of Caries.
OF A CROWDED STATE OP THE TEETH.
A crowded state of the teeth, as well as irregularities, is
also highly conducive to decay, and for the same reasons
(see page 92,) though the latter are more liable to decay, on
account of the great difficulty experienced in keeping such
teeth free of foreign matter.
It must appear obvious to all, especially to parents, who
have such important duties to their offspring to discharge, that
the management of the teeth of children for the prevention of
future decay, is a subject of much importance to their wel-
fare. We wish especially to draw public attention to this
wholly neglected subject, being impressed with a conviction
of the great advantages to be derived thereby.
In addition to what we have advanced on this subject, under
the head of irregularities of the teeth, we have some very im-
portant observation to make on a method of treatment, that has
never been practised to any extent, and we apprehend, never
will, such will ever be the repugnance to it, both of the parent
and cnild. The dentist too, from conscientious motives, will
scarcely undertake the unpleasant task of endeavoring to fin-
force its propriety and importance, or to remove unfounded
prejudices: much less for the paltry fee! It is this.—In all
cases, where there is a certainty of the teeth being crowded
together when the child shall have grown to maturity, (which
is in the power of every scientific dentist to foretel,) especially,
if there be a predisposition to decay, (which can with certainty
be predicted from the teeth of the parents and other circum-
stances,) we would most strenuously recommend the sacrifice
of the four posterior bicuspid teeth, for the great benefit of pre-
vention of decay in the other teeth !
"Inconsistent," "monstrous absurdity," "preposterous
folly," we hear our readers exclaim ! but hold till we give all
our reasons for this treatment. We do confess, that we should
have no small degree of hesitation, in thus boldly recommend-
Preventive Treatment of Caries.
OF A CROWDED STATE OP THE TEETH.
A crowded state of the teeth, as well as irregularities, is
also highly conducive to decay, and for the same reasons
(see page 92,) though the latter are more liable to decay, on
account of the great difficulty experienced in keeping such
teeth free of foreign matter.
It must appear obvious to all, especially to parents, who
have such important duties to their offspring to discharge, that
the management of the teeth of children for the prevention of
future decay, is a subject of much importance to their wel-
fare. We wish especially to draw public attention to this
wholly neglected subject, being impressed with a conviction
of the great advantages to be derived thereby.
In addition to what we have advanced on this subject, under
the head of irregularities of the teeth, we have some very im-
portant observation to make on a method of treatment, that has
never been practised to any extent, and we apprehend, never
will, such will ever be the repugnance to it, both of the parent
and cnild. The dentist too, from conscientious motives, will
scarcely undertake the unpleasant task of endeavoring to fin-
force its propriety and importance, or to remove unfounded
prejudices: much less for the paltry fee! It is this.—In all
cases, where there is a certainty of the teeth being crowded
together when the child shall have grown to maturity, (which
is in the power of every scientific dentist to foretel,) especially,
if there be a predisposition to decay, (which can with certainty
be predicted from the teeth of the parents and other circum-
stances,) we would most strenuously recommend the sacrifice
of the four posterior bicuspid teeth, for the great benefit of pre-
vention of decay in the other teeth !
"Inconsistent," "monstrous absurdity," "preposterous
folly," we hear our readers exclaim ! but hold till we give all
our reasons for this treatment. We do confess, that we should
have no small degree of hesitation, in thus boldly recommend-
