Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-12-26
The Teeth.
(coNTINUEp)


voiding the loss Of the teeth and the suffering
cessarily attending the process. This is the plan
pursued by many english mothers, and the reward
infinitely more than compensates them for all their
care and toll. They merit and receive the bles-
sings Of their children instead Of censure for neg
ect OF duty. The negligence of our people re-
garding the teeth, is almost proverbial. Still we
are pleased that many are becoming alive TO
just sense of the matter. Every practitioner Of
dental surgery is questioned by almost every pat
ron, concerning the causes and remedy of the dis
eases and affections Of the teeth. Some of these
questions we propose TO answere in this chapter.
Firstly: the Of the evil originates in child
hood, through the utter negligence Of parents II
would be beyond our limits to detail the minutia
of the course to be pursued suffice it to say that
little common sense, correct judgement, perse-
verance, governmental tact, and due appreciation
Of the benefits TO accrue, are the indispensable
means 10 be made use of and as they are easy
tools 10 handle we trust that wherever they are in
possession, they will be brought into requlsition.
Some persons have the erroneous idea that TO
cleanse the teeth with the brush, especially the
them to decay. This is truly SO, but only when
charcoal, pumce stone, acidulated preparations,
or any such harsh and gritty substances are made
use of. If such people careful to interdict
the use OF candies, we should not so often the
disgusting and painful condition of the little suffer-
ers' mouth. Let the fist teeth be kept ceansed,
irregularities of the second be prevented and their
future preservation will become easy. When
they are misplaced from the circle, and crowding
each other, they are constant source ofirritaton
to the surrounding parts, and can be secured, free
from disease, only by the strctest and most care
ful management. But if retained in this position,
they will always present an unseemly and dsa-
greeable appearance. Hence, from these reasons,
they should be remedied which is no difficult mat
ter to be accomplished.
Carries is the most prevalent and the most des-
tructve affection to which the teeth are subject
and il is so very insduous in its appearance,
that the entire set is frequently involved in the
general malady before its presence is suspected
Ii generally commences on the approxmal sur.
faces, in the interstices Of the crowns, or where
their is an existing imperfecton or facture. 1t is
mostly the result Of external chemical agents; and
these agents arise from the long presence of ex-
traneous matter. Hence the means of preven-
tion are obvious. Now here is full answer to
the EXPLANATORY question:" don't see what
makes my teeth decay" If certain preparations of
food ) are placed in metallic vessels it proves de-
siructive to the metal of which the dish is com
posed. Such are some. or most of the "tarts,"
preserves" etc. And other kinds of food, when
suffered TO remain more than certain length Of
time, become acdulated, and are no longer fit for
use Now these substances are, in some instan-
ces. permitted TO lodge about the teeth and remain
an indefinite length of time, but not very limited
We trust there is enough said on that score
those who will not heed it would not heed more.
In the opinion Of the writer, one of the most es-
sen,ial points neglected, and replete with benefits
when practised, is the exercise of the teeth. A
mong the brute creation, where their food consists
of the raw material, rendering it necessary 10 be
comminuted by the "grinding" apparatus of the an
mal, we never hear any complaints Of tooth ache,
nor decayed teeth. Such thing is not known,
excep, where the creature is fed upon artificial
food, bringing into action this part Of the ami
mails machinery; in which case, according,to fixed
law Of the economy, there is a tendency for it to
be cast off Thus we find that animals having
been fed on still slops, and other kinds Of artificial
food of that nature, lose their teeth, and are una
bic afterwards TO subsist upon their natural aliment,
the green pasture of the fields. We find the case
similar with uncvized nations or tribes, rowing
the forests, unfettered by civilized restrictions,
and uninjured by the poisonous luxures peculiar
to civilization Il is also likewise the case with
individuals in our communities and all who will,
may become satisfied Of the fact by trial or by OBJ
servaton. The teeth, like any other part Of the
physical organization, when denied the liberty of ac
ton, the exercise of their proper functions, become
debilltated, imbecile, and are, in consequence,
liable to become the seat Of any disease that
may be lurking In the system This fact uni
versally recognized by the medical profession.
The reader will naturally anticipate descrp-
ton of the remedy cure of this affection--but
such will be unnecessary; as, after the disease
becomes seated, il is beyond The reach OF any ef-
forts but those Of the practitioner whose business
il is. The operation Of removing the affected
portion and filling the cavity with an indestruc-
tble material, is in almost all cases, the only but
successful means by which the progress of the de-
cay can be arrested, and the organs permanently pre-
served. And every favorable circumstance is de-
siIable, as additional surety Of success. But
when neglected until the organ is imperfect in
its external form. or until the dental pulp or nerve
is destroyed-that being the principle source of
vitality for the tooth II is difficult or impossible
in other words, altogether uncertain whether il
can be preserved and all means are merely
trial, uncertain in their results.
Diseases Of the gums almost invariably arise
Iron r. 4