Page 215 - My FlipBook

From Infancy to old Age. 195 ;
decay on the external side, (though rarely if kept clean,) next
the gum ; have it cut carefully away in its incipient stage.
Let us proceed in our examination to the molar teeth ; look
directly at the grinding surfaces of these teeth, in the lowest
depression, usually in the centre of them, and you will often
perceive a dark or bluish spot. To the inexperienced
observer, this appearance will be attributed simply to the
lodgement of foreign matter, and will be supposed not to pene-
trate the enamel ; but apply your slicks and powder or a
probe and lock of cotton and you cannot remove it : it is de-
cay, and will often, ere this, have made considerable progress,
even have penetrated more than half way to the nerve; indeed,
the bony portion of the tooth will often have decayed so much,
as to considerably undermine the enamel, even though there
be apparently no external opening: therefore, have the teeth
opened at once, the disease extirpated and the cavities plug-
ged in the most substantial manner. As you value the teeth
do not delay the operation; remember " a stitch in time saves
nine." The operation will not cost half the pain that it will
if neglected, and it is always sure of success : if it be delayed
till the nerve is exposed, it may be difficult to preserve the
tooth, and at best the operation must be vastly more painful, and
not so sure of success; besides, what can be gained by delay?
It is a great fault with the generality of persons, that they do
not have dental operations performed so early as they ought,
in order to obtain the greatest possible benefit and the most
satisfactory results.
Again, let us continue our examination; a black spot will
be observed on the molar teeth, on the side midway between
the gum and grinding surface : let it be attended to ; these
teeth also decay on the side near the gum, and on the con-
tiguous sides; let the advice of a judicious dentist be at once
pursued.
It is necessary to make but few further observations with
respect to the management of the teeth. The diseases by
which the teeth are generally lost have been fully described
also, the preventive and curative treatment of them.