Page 214 - My FlipBook

194 gE? Management of the Teeth
posterior bicuspides in either jaw should be extracted; hut
first, examine the four permanent matures, and if these teeth be
defective, let them be removed in preference to the former.
When the first permanent molares decay early so that they
cannot be preserved, let them be early extracted : this is for
the preventive treatment of decay, and is of the greatest im-
portance. More than one half the diseases of the teeth may
be prevented. See pages 97 to 104.
In order that the permanent teeth may be preserved to the
end of life, it will be necessary to bestow upon them that
attention which their importance demands ; to use every
means in our power for the prevention of disease, and the cure
of it in its earliest stages. The diseases we have most
to apprehend in youth are the brown scurf, just described,
page 191, and decay. Whenever the following symptoms can
be observed, look out, for decay has commenced and will
certainly destroy the teeth, sooner or later, if it be not ar-
rested. Therefore apply without delay to a thorough dentist.
Let us examine critically and minutely the teeth through-
out the mouth, (these observations are equally applicable to
the teeth at any age,) and first the front and small double
teeth on their sides : very often you will perceive a brownish
or bluish appearance on the surfaces of these teeth opposite
each other, and this appearance will be more or less percepti-
ble, according to the quantity of foreign matter collected there,
or the progress of the disease : apply the sticks of soft wood,
described page 192, and the polishing powder, and remove
the discoloration if possible; if this cannot be done, the enamel
at the points afTected will be found rough, discolored and per-
haps completely destroyed. Let no time be lost in having
these teeth separated and the'filed sides nicely polished. (See
"filing the teeth," page 128.) Again examine these teeth;
the incisores on the inner surface at the protuberance near the
gum ; the bicuspides between the two points on the grinding
surface, and you will occasionally perceive a black spot; let
it be removed and the place polished : perhaps the teeth will
require plugging, which is often the case : these teeth also