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Filing the Teeth. 129
coarse file, which harrows up the bony structure of them, and
they, being left in this state, unpolished, with a surface the best
calculated possible for receiving and retaining foreign sub-
stances, and for converting them into a foul, putrescent and
acrimonious mass, of all things, the most favorable for the
production of decay, do continue to decay ; or again, when
they are filed for the removal of caries without accomplish-
ing its entire removal, and are left in that exposed state,
when instead of being imperfectly filed, they should have
been perfectly prepared and plugged. But we trust that the
abuse of any mode of practice, of any instrument, or of any
principle, will not militate against its wholesome, judicious
and approved application ; for if so, what instrument, inven-
tion, system, or institution may not be discarded ?
We have precisely the same ideas in relation to the use of
the file, when it is injudiciously employed, as those have,
who do not discriminate between its proper application and its
abuse; yet we are bold to affirm, that its employment in the
hands of a skillful dentist, is a most efficient and sure means of
removing and arresting incipient decay of the teeth; and as
thus employed, is approved by the best dentists of the age.
Some dentists are in the habit of separating the front teeth
when perfectly sound, to prevent decay. We totally discard
this practice. It is, as if a man should submit to take a
nauseating dose of medicine, while in perfect health, merely
because there was a liability to sickness with him, at some
future time. Preposterous ! leave health unphysiced, and
sound teeth unfiled. It is quite in time to tamper with the
disease, and to dabble with the remedies, after the former has
made its appearance :— *' Sufficient unto the day, is the evil
thereof."
Finally, upon this subject, we would advise adherence to,
the following maxims :
First—Never file a tooth, except disease justify the use of
the file.
Second—Consider filing a less evil than disease, and con-
sequently to be preferred to it.