Observation. On this account, smoking is pernicious, because the teeth are subjected to an alternate inhalation of both cold and warm air.
226. The temporary teeth should be removed as soon as they become loose. If a permanent tooth makes it appearance before the first is removed, or has become loose, the milk tooth, although not loose, should be removed without delay. This is necessary that the second set of teeth may present a regular and beautiful appearance.
227. In general, when the permanent teeth are irregular, one or more should be removed. If the teeth are crowded and irregular, in consequence of the jaw being narrow and short, or when they press so hard upon each other as to injure the enamel, remove one or more to prevent their looking unsightly, and in a few months the remaining teeth, with a little care, will fill the spaces.
Observation. When it is necessary to remove a tooth, apply to some skilful operator. It requires as much skill and knowledge to extract teeth well, as it does to amputate a limb; yet some persons, who possess strong arms, will obtain a pair of forceps, or a tooth-key, and hang out the sign of “surgeon-dentist,” although ignorant of the principles that should guide them.
228. It is not always necessary to have teeth extracted when they ache. The nerve, or the investing membrane of the root, may be diseased, and the tooth still be sound. In such instances, the tooth should not be extracted, but the diseased condition may be remedied by proper medication. There are many sound teeth, that become painful, as already mentioned, which are unnecessarily removed.
Why is smoking injurious to the teeth? 226. What remark respecting the temporary teeth? 227. What remarks respecting the permanent teeth? Do those persons that extract teeth require skill as well as knowledge? 228. Why should not teeth be extracted at all times when they are painful?
Illustration. Dr. H. M., of Belfast, Me., related to me that an individual in that vicinity had his teeth, (all of them sound,) on one side of the lower jaw, extracted by an ignoramus of a “tooth-puller,” and this without any relief from pain. The disease was tic douloureux, which was relieved by Dr. M.
229. The preservation of the teeth requires that they be frequently examined. When a part of the enamel is removed, and a small portion of the body of the tooth has become carious, in many instances such teeth may be preserved from further decay by having them filled or “plugged” with gold foil. All amalgams, pastes, and cheap patent articles for filling, should be avoided, if you would preserve both the teeth and the general health.
230. The practice of cracking nuts with the teeth, or of lifting heavy bodies, and the constant habit of biting thread, should be avoided, as they finally destroy the enamel.