Page 59 - My FlipBook

Irregularities of the. Teeth. 39

Lateral incisores, 8 years.
Anterior bicuspides, - - - - 10
Posterior bicuspides, - - - - 10
Cuspidati, - - - - - 11—12
Second molares, - - - - 12—13
Third molares, (wisdom teeth) 17—19
IRREGULARITIES OP THE TEETH.

There is no part of the management of the teeth more de-
serving the attention and care of parents, and of those
entrusted with the charge of children, than that of irregulari-
ties of the teeth; yet no part is so much neglected by them, or
is so indifferently practised by the generality of the dental pro-
fession.
Irregularities of the teeth are of such frequent occurrence in
this country, and so productive of the diseases which invade
them and the gums, and are so obnoxious to the person of nice
feelings, that we wish especially to draw public attention to
this subject. It is next to impossible to keep irregular teeth
clean, and free of foreign matter, which lodges in their inter-
stices, and, by its chemical action, destroys the enamel, and
causes them to decay. Indeed, such teeth are almost sure to
fall into decay, sooner or later : and the irritation of the foreign
matter upon the gums is equally sure to engender disease in
them also.
We would endeavor to impress more strongly the impor-
tance of this subject on the minds of our readers, inasmuch
as there is neither necessity or excuse for irregularities of the
teeth, unless such be caused by accident; for it is quite in the
power of the well-informed dentist to prevent or remove every
irregularity, unless it be a sport of nature. And where such
assistance is available, the parent who permits his child to
grow up with deformed or irregular teeth, is justly chargeable
of neglecting a duty to his offspring. It seems surprising that