The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1865-09-20
Fur the Cadiz Sentinel:
Dn-1nV 4th 70

Denial.
Why do teeth decay, and what can be.
done to prevent and after decay has begun,
what can be done 10 arrest it 81,
In the first place we viii say that teeth
decay from imperfection in their structure,
and secondly, from immediate contact with
corrosive agents. .-..-..'1 a.. --... -
The reason why there il imperfection in
this part of the htiinati eebDotuy We are not
going to say. for the reason that We have
just as much right to ask. why do men
sicken and die2 Trte; there might be some
very good reasons given, but 1t would
amount to the same thing as to tell the in
valid that had he obeyed the laws of ma
ture he would never be afflicted as be is.
But this fact is befute ts every day, that
teeth decay from imperfection of structure,
just as much so as that the other parts Of
the system are oyerburdehcd By the load
they were naturally designed 10 carry with,
ease. Then where there is imberfection Of
the enamel of the teeth, and ths9 are sur.
rounded by corrosive agents, we fttslst know
that they suffer the evil consequence.
The enamel is o substance that fields
very reluctantly to the corrosive fluids that
are commonly found in the mouth; but that
portion of the tooth directly underneath
the enamel is very readily corivded andSd
cayed by these agents; consequently, it will
be seen, that where this impcif ifection of
enamel exists. these agents have full sway,
and they show their power by the, evil they
do. se -s....s- .--. --s,,
A disordered condition of the fluids of
the mouth, an unhealthy and disordefed
stomach, and sudden transitions Of temper
ature are great sources Of decay in the
teeth. ~
! Sugar is thought by many to be very In
furious, but it is a mistaken idea entirely,
for it has no hurtful influence until it has
mentng process an acid is created that pro-
ducss rapid decay. 1t is ascertained that
to immerse tooth in the acid of raiSins
that the enamel will be destroyed in TWEEN
ty-four hours, and in acid Of lemons it re-
quires about forty eight hours. Acet;c acid.
or acid found in vinegar, and also nlalic
acid, or the acid found in sour apples are
very destructive of the teeth if left in con-
tact with them any great length of time
All Of these acids, and many more that are
in almost everyday use by most families,
have decided injurious tendency. But
some are ready to ask now, if there must
be total abstinance from all aeidulated
vegetables and fruits? We answer that il
is not absolutely necessary that there be to-
tai abstinance, although We have no doubt
that it would be better to abstain from the
use Of such as produce such powerful eff
fccts as raisins and their equals. But it ii
absolutely necessary that after. the use of
these acids, the mouth should be thorough
ly cleansed so that the acid is not left id
contact with the teeth
Some think that medts-hesh-is more
hnrtful 70 the teeth than vegetables, but il
not theacase. There is no acid formed even
in the entire decomposition of animal mat
ter, and as it is proven that acid is the only
| agent Of decay, we come to the firm conclu4
sion that animal food cannot be, at least a
local agent, in this case. The only way Il
can be injurious then, is by affecting the
general health or constitution. M
| But we will now say that the greatest
cause of decay is from imperfection of nu-
triton and substance, from constitutional
arrangement ,... ..s.- ..-.s.-....
We are of the opinion, therefore, that il
all the functional operations of the body
were always healthily lerfoimed, decay Of
the teeth would seldom occur, for in this
case, the alkalinity of the saliva would be
sufficient to neutralize the acidity of the
mucous fluids, as we'll as any othtr acids
generatedin the mouth .a y.
Wewill now turn to the preventative part
of the subject ..5is r.r
1t is an old adage, and no less true than
trite, that IAN ounce of prevention is bet
ter than pound of cure" and in the pre-
sent instance it may be applied with tsfulf
force; and were more attention paid to the
practical instruction thurs conveyed, many
of the discasessof the teeth might be avoid
ed. ue..- sa,v>s.--
We may observe that If the teeth are
well. formed and arranged, all that will he
required will be to keep them clean, and I'd
this end, the regular and frequent use Of
the brush is indispensable. This will in
most cases be sufficient. The enamel sho d
be kept free from all stains and aiscolora-
tions by the employment, if necessary
once day for limited period, OF 4 prbpbt
dentifiice- tooth powder. The Importance
of keeping the teeth clean caiihot be too
strongly impressed upon ctery individual,
| for by strict attention TO this matter you re-
move all the acids left in the mouth after
eating vegetables, and ,alsb those that are
generated in the mouth .....a
| Thinking this to be sufficient on this part
Of the subject, we will now look at the man
ner of arresting decay after it has begun.
Although the physical condition of tho
teeth is sometimes such as to render them
exceedingly suscepti bic to the attack Of ca.
ries, there is no disease to which the body
is liable, that can be treated with more ccr-
tain prospect of success than this. IF taken
in time it eau almost alwayt be arrested
The treatment for arrcsting the progress
of decay consists in two operations filling
and filing THE first for deep-seated, and
the second for superficial cavities. There
are several kinds Of material used for filing
teeth. but the hest is gold, which, if used
in time, under favorable circumstances, and
thoroughly done, proves an entire success
We want no better evidence Of the virtue of
the filing process, than the mouths Of those
who have had this operation performed
years ago, where we see the saving virtues
of filling standing out in bold relief
Now, in conclusion, We advise etery man,
woman ana child to see to it, that their
teeth are well filed if they require it, and
are ia saving condition, and if they are
not worth filing, the sooner they are cutof
the month the better. II. IL. il.
CADIz, Sept. 81, 1855 a .aa
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